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Entertainment Mar 22, 2026

Jenni Murray, Iconic Voice of Woman's Hour, Dies at 75

Jenni Murray, the longest-serving presenter of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, has died at the age of 7…
Jenni Murray, a trailblazing broadcaster and longest-serving presenter of Woman's Hour, has died at the age of 75. Murray brought a unique calm authority to the BBC Radio 4 weekday show for an impressive 33 years, transforming it into a platform for discussing subjects such as the menopause, domestic violence, genital mutilation, and sexual politics.Under Murray's tenure, which began in 1987, Woman's Hour evolved significantly from its origins in 1946 as a program focused on cooking, cleaning tips, and romantic serials. By the time Murray took over, the show had become a sisterhood of the airwaves, as described by the Sunday Times in 1996.Murray was renowned for her fearless and thoughtful questioning of guests, which included politicians, film stars, authors, poets, chefs, gardeners, lawyers, and anxious parents. One notable interview was with Margaret Thatcher in 1990, where Murray exposed the ideological differences between the feminist approach and Thatcher's views on childcare and gender equality.Murray also conducted incisive interviews with other prominent figures, including Edwina Currie, who revealed her affair with John Major, and Tessa Jowell, discussing her financial decisions. Her conversations were marked by a flair for the dramatic and a deep empathy for her guests.Throughout her career, Murray was not without controversy. In 2017, she faced backlash for an article she wrote questioning the use of the term 'real woman' by trans individuals. The BBC subsequently warned her about maintaining impartiality on controversial topics.Murray's contributions to broadcasting were widely recognized. She was awarded an OBE in 1999 and a dame in 2011. Woman's Hour won the Television and Radio Industries Club's award for best radio program in 2004, and Murray received two Sony awards in 2010 and 2011.Murray's legacy extends beyond her broadcasting career. She was a champion of women's rights and a prolific author, writing several books, including her memoirs and a history of women's suffrage.
#Jenni Murray #BBC Radio 4 #Woman's Hour
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Entertainment Mar 22, 2026

Moby's Honest Playlist: A Glimpse into the Music Icon's Personal Favorites

Moby shares his personal playlist, revealing the songs that have shaped his life and career, from h…
Moby, the renowned musician, has shared his honest playlist, offering a glimpse into his personal music preferences. He recalls the first song he fell in love with, 'I Fought the Law' by the Clash, which he would record on an old Dictaphone and listen to repeatedly.Moby also shares the first single he bought, 'Convoy' by CW McCall, which he played 40 times in a row, raising concerns for his mother about his future as a musician and addict.He takes pride in never doing the same karaoke song twice, with notable attempts at 'My Way' by Frank Sinatra and 'In Da Club' by 50 Cent. Moby also reveals the song he inexplicably knows every lyric to, 'I Know You Got Soul' by Eric B & Rakim, which he played 8,000 times while DJing in the 80s.Moby discusses the best song to play at a party, 'Been Caught Stealing' by Jane's Addiction, which surprised a crowd of 15 people at a house party in 1989. He also shares the song he can no longer listen to, 'Lola' by the Kinks, due to its gross and transphobic lyrics.Moby confesses to secretly liking 'My Heart Will Go On' by Céline Dion, a song he thought he'd never admit to enjoying. He also shares the best song to have sex to, '4′33″' by John Cage, and the song that changed his life, 'I Feel Love' by Donna Summer.Other songs on Moby's playlist include the song that makes him cry, 'Vincent' by Don McLean, and the song that gets him up in the morning, 'Not to Touch the Earth' by the Doors. He concludes by sharing the song he'd like played in his funeral, 'Last Night' from his 2008 album of the same name.
#Moby #Porcelain #James Brown
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Stage Mar 22, 2026

Slippery Review: A Queer Dating Scene Dissection

A review of the play 'Slippery' by Louis Emmitt-Stern, exploring themes of queer dating, bereavemen…
The play 'Slippery' by Louis Emmitt-Stern delivers a knotty dissection of the queer dating scene and bereavement in many forms. The story revolves around Jude and Kyle, exes who reunite in Jude's Canary Wharf penthouse after a decade apart.Ten years ago, they were a hedonistic couple, partying into the early hours. Now, their lives have diverged: Kyle has left behind the party lifestyle, while Jude is grieving the death of his partner, Sam. As they catch up, their lies begin to crack open, revealing a complex web of emotions.John McCrea and Perry Williams shine as the exes, capturing the nuances of their characters' past and present selves. McCrea, in particular, is a standout performer, effortlessly shifting from grief-stricken to a magnetic seducer.The production, directed by Matthew Iliffe, effectively conveys the intimacy of a past love that still lingers. However, the script's constant revelations can feel forced, detracting from the realism of the story.Despite this, 'Slippery' remains a compelling exploration of queer relationships, grief, and the complexities of human emotions. The play is set to run at Omnibus theatre in London until 11 April.
#theatre #bereavement #london
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Music Mar 20, 2026

Pygmalion's Johannes-Passion: A Theatrical Masterpiece

A review of Pygmalion's new recording of Bach's St John Passion, highlighting the ensemble's razor-…
Bach's St John Passion is a masterpiece that comes close to being an opera, and this new recording by Pygmalion, conducted by Raphaël Pichon, brings out its theatrical qualities in spades. The ensemble's performance is razor-sharp throughout, with a vigorous engagement with the reflective chorale texts.The St John Passion relies on the Evangelist to narrate the bulk of the story, and Pichon is fortunate in having Julien Prégardien on tenor vocals. Prégardien's voice rises to an outraged shriek as he declares Barrabas a murderer, and his achingly florid recall of Peter's bitter tears is noteworthy.The soloists are also impressive, with Huw Montague Rendall bringing tonal richness and unswerving gravitas to the role of Jesus, and Christian Immler's agitated Pilate swinging back and forth like a tormented weathervane. Ying Fang's purity and Lucile Richardot's otherworldliness round off one of the most theatrical St Johns in the catalogue.
#johannes-passion #pygmalion #theatrical
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