Arena

Premiere. Ronald Eyre reviews what's going on in the theatre, Kenneth Tynan talks to Laurence Olivier about Lilian Baylis and The Old Vic, and a film about David Hockney's sets for The Rake's Progress.

George Melly looks at how they sold the 70's and a report on the opening of the Space Studios.

An interview with Howard Barker, author of 'Stripwell', and an extract from same; commentary by Kenneth Tynan; and an investigation of 'Birds of Paradise'.

In 1994, editor James Brown spotted an opportunity to create a general interest men's magazine in a world fixated on yuppies and the new man. With a team of bucky young hopefuls, they birthed Loaded, a magazine that went on to define the lad culture of the 90s. The magazine quickly became a cultural phenomenon, offering a blend of irreverent humour, gonzo journalism, celebrity interviews, sports and jaw-dropping images, tapping into the aspirations, interests and rebellious attitudes of young men, and capturing a hedonistic lifestyle characterised by excess, humour and indulgence. And the women’s equivalent, ‘ladettes’, were not far behind. But as they hurtled towards the end of the century, the realities of lad culture took hold, with drink, drugs and bravado rearing their ugly heads. Lads' mags were born, driving the pressure to compete with 'sexy babes' on the covers. The women who had felt empowered were now being asked to strip for the magazines.

This week, the director Ronald Eyre looks selectively and critically at what's coming on, or doing well, and recommends his own personal ' best buy.'Kenneth Tynan talks to Laurence Olivier about Lilian Baylis, the eccentric founder of The Old Vic. Kenneth Tynan says: "The theatre is the cockpit of society: it is here that ideas are argued out, laughed at and worked over. It is our job in Arena: Theatre to make the theatre accessible and comprehensible to the largest possible audience. We hope to celebrate plays, players and playwrights as they are working now and we shall also pass judgement of our own. When a dictatorship takes over, the first cultural institution to be suppressed is the theatre."

This week Arena features a unique event in the arts calendar: the opening of the Space Studios with 150 one-man shows in 20 days.

Including an extract from a new play, Stripwell, which opened at the Royal Court Theatre, London, last night, and an interview with the author, Howard Barker. Kenneth Tynan tackles a topical issue, and we investigate why Birds of Paradise has been packing them in on Bournemouth Pier.

Deborah Norton returns with reports, interviews and extracts from what is liveliest and best in the British theatrical scene.

Arena reports on new exhibitions and activities around the country and brings work by artists and designers into the Arena studio.

Jonathan Miller introduces this week's look at what is most stimulating and enjoyable on the theatrical scene.

Henry Moore confronts the anatomical drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci & talks about them in relation to his own life-long study of the human body. Also George Melly takes a day trip which includes a show of Dada & Surrealism at Hayward Gallery.

Tthis documentary programme looks at New York's Chelsea Hotel, a legendary haven for some of the 20th Century's greatest talent, from Mark Twain to Dylan Thomas. With appearances from Andy Warhol and William Burroughs, who have dinner in the room where Arthur C Clarke wrote 2001, and Quentin Crisp, who lived in the hotel for more than 35 years.

Traces the colourful story of the seductive and mysterious dance, the tango. Originating from Buenos Aires, the tale is told through the work of poets, dancers and musicians.

Alan Yentob interviews TV dramatist Dennis Potter about his work through the years, touching on subjects such as why and how he started writing and his attempt to enter politics.

First transmitted in 1988, Arena presents a documentary programme exploring the life of Woody Guthrie, the travelling American singer-songwriter.

Arena travels the length of Broadway, along the home of some of the first white settlers in America, exploring the myths and legends that surrounded the Great White Way.

1989 documentary which takes a look at Europe's most successful holiday resort, famous for its Tower, illuminations, landladies and party political conferences. Includes interviews with Norman Tebbit, John Cole, Paul Theroux and Tony Benn.