麻豆社

Writer Anna Freeman presents a showcase of stories about the meaning of art in people鈥檚 lives. In this episode, two stories of art and love.

In the spring of 1997, Ken and Tina met on Grafton Street in Dublin and bonded right away over a love of juggling. They went on to train in circus skills and set up a company together. Along the way they fell in love and spent years touring the world together as professional and romantic partners - becoming famed for the doubles trapeze act at the heart of their show. Until one day Tina met someone else. Their romantic relationship ended but they decided to continue performing together. We find out what it's like to rely on someone to catch you in midair when you're going through a painful breakup, and how the two performers have managed to forge a friendship and professional partnership that has stood the test of time.

And we meet Gabriel and Mary, a couple whose relationship began as teenagers living at opposite ends of the country, and whose early relationship was conducted through hundreds of letters. Gabriel had sent so many he ran out of envelopes and began to make his own. These hand-made envelopes are like miniature works of art - snapshots of moments. They鈥檙e made from anything he could get his hands on - the manuscript of Gabriel鈥檚 music project, cuttings from magazines, his college timetable.

Now married with four children, the envelopes are framed on the wall. But, Gabriel and Mary have never looked inside them again. Listen in, as they re-open the letters after more than 20 years.

Presented by Anna Freeman
Produced by Mair Bosworth and Polly Weston