Front Row Late

Mary Beard hosts cultural debates from her study. Featuring an exclusive puppet production based on a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, created in confinement by author Margaret Atwood and her sister.

With cultural institutions around the country closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mary Beard gets to grips with the latest technology as she hosts from her study at home.

Mary Beard and her guests consider the effects of Covid-19 on creativity and the world of literature and discuss how writing and drama chronicled the HIV-AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

Mary discusses the power of poetry in a time of pandemic, with Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke, poet Lemn Sissay and historian David Olusoga. Plus, poetry performances from Helen Mirren and the so-called `Poet Laureate of Twitter", Brian Bilston.

Mary asks why people turn to music in times of crisis, from free concerts streamed by A-list names to benefit singles, cross-balcony singalongs and quarantine choirs. She also asks whether the spirit of sharing and caring change the way we consume music in the long term, or whether the generosity will run out if and when we 'get back to normal'.

Mary and her guests, including artistic director of the Young Vic theatre Kwame Kwei-Armah, discuss the long-term effects of Covid-19 on the future of performance, and what culture might mean once the current lockdown is lifted. There is also a performance from actors Emma Thompson and Greg Wise.

With cultural institutions around the country closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mary Beard presents the show from her study at home. In the final programme of this special series, Mary examines the links between risk, culture and creativity. Featuring interviews with film and television director Lee Daniels, and photographer Don McCullin.