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John Lloyd, Jenna Russell, Bobby Crush, Marc Abrahams, Scottee, Joan As Police Woman

Clive Anderson is joined by John Lloyd, Jenna Russell, Bobby Crush and Marc Abrahams for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Joan As Police Woman.

'Whatever Happened To Spitting Image?' Clive talks to TV producer John Lloyd; one of the many contributors who address the question in Â鶹Éç Four Arena's 30th anniversary programme. Spanning the early years of Margaret Thatcher's government to the end of John Major's, Spitting Image puppets became almost as famous as the politicians they lampooned.

In a city of the future that has been inflicted with a terrible drought, business tycoon Caldwell B. Cladwell has made his fortune through bribery and the monopolisation of all public toilets. It's not a place to get caught short! Clive talks to Olivier award winner Jenna Russell, who stars in the UK premiere of 'Urinetown, The Musical.'

"He twinkles and sparkles and boy, can he play!" As Bobby Crush hits 60, Scottee invites him to tickle the ivories with a rendition of 'Nicholas Parsons' on the Loose Ends Steinway and asks the astonishing pianist about his 40 years in showbusiness, reaching right back to his debut on TV's "Opportunity Knocks" in 1972.

Clive talks to the creator of the Ig Nobel Prizes about his second book of truly improbable research. It's another addictive, wryly funny expose of odd, imaginative, and amazingly improbable research from around the globe, such as the use of Prozac for the treatment of stereotypical pacing behaviour in a captive polar bear!

With more music from Joan As Police Woman who performs 'Holy City' from her album 'The Classic'.

Producer: Sukey Firth.

45 minutes

John Lloyd

John Lloyd
‘Arena: Whatever Happened To Spitting Image?’ is on Â鶹Éç Four on Thursday 20th March at 21.00.

Jenna Russell

Jenna Russell
‘Urinetown’ is at St James Theatre, London until Saturday 3rd May.

Bobby Crush

Bobby Crush
'Bobby Crush: 60th Birthday Concert’ is at Leicester Square Theatre, London on Sunday 23rd March.

Marc Abrahams

Marc Abrahams
‘This Is Improbable Too’ is published by Oneworld and available now.

Joan As Police Woman

Joan As Police Woman
‘The Classic’ is available now on Play It Again Sam.

Joan As Police Woman is playing at Norwich Arts Centre on 15th March and Village Underground, London on 15th, Komedia, Brighton on 17th and The Belgrave, Leeds on 19th April. Check her website for further dates. 

Broadcasts

  • Sat 15 Mar 2014 18:15
  • Mon 17 Mar 2014 11:15
  • Mon 17 Mar 2014 21:15
  • Tue 18 Mar 2014 04:15

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