Category Archives: Culture

Ballet Shoes – My concerns about the National Theatre’s new production

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Samira Ahmed

It’s had rave reviews, notably from men who’ve never read the book. And many female fans who have. But I felt really unsettled by this new production. Last year’s The Witches, wittily inverted Dahl’s misogyny, by making the witches aliens, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Culture, Theatre | 6 Comments

This Boy: Unveiling George Harrison’s blue plaque at 12 Arnold Grove

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Samira Ahmed

Last year I joined Historic England’s advisory panel for the new expansion out of London to all of England, of the blue plaques scheme, commemorating the lives of people who’ve made a major contribution to human welfare or happiness. Anyone … Continue reading →

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Behind the scenes of Art of Persia – episode 2

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Samira Ahmed

We’ve had such amazing audience praise and enthusiasm for Episode 1 so I thought I’d give some more insights and answer a question. A number of viewers asked why we described the Cyrus Cylinder -with its declaration of tolerance for … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, History, Religion, Travel, TV, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Two Gentlemen Sharing: Swinging London’s “race” picture

Posted on September 2, 2018 by Samira Ahmed

The films of Swinging London have been pored over and cherished ever since the 1960s. Which made Saturday’s rare BFI Southbank screening for Two Gentlemen Sharing with a Q&A with director and the two leading ladies all the more intriguing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Film, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I sense a disturbance. Everything that’s missing from The Last Jedi (some SPOILERS so see it first!!)

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Samira Ahmed

The scroll screen could have been written for Ep VII. As if nothing has happened. First rule of sequels: Take the story on. What’s the new line? Please hire me to write proper copy in future. Leia is unconscious for … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Film, Media, Science Fiction/Fantasy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

What made America great? On the trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Samira Ahmed

It was the 2008 crash that somehow inspired me to finally read the Little House on the Prairie books. I was clearly craving comfort, safety, a kind of nostalgia for a vaguely remembered 70s girlhood in which I half watched … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Children, Culture, Film, History, Politics, Radio, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Filth, fury and the funny way Britain feels about Joe Orton

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Samira Ahmed

You never forget your first time. I was 19 years old. I descended into a dark, cramped basement where student actors brought to life a weird, twisted sexual triangle. Going to student drama productions in odd spaces around the University … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime and Justice, Culture, Film, Media, Radio, Theatre, TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Oh Boy! Why certain Radio 1 DJs are missing believed wiped

Posted on July 29, 2017 by Samira Ahmed

If you sat down to watch a night of lost pop music TV shows from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, what would you expect to find?  Fun, nostalgia, eye popping colour and experimentation, some great music. What I didn’t expect … Continue reading →

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The making of The Stars of Sergeant Pepper

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Samira Ahmed

What are Mae West and Diana Dors doing on the cover of Sergeant Pepper’ Lonely Hearts Club band? If you feel you’ve heard too much already about the 50th anniversary of  the record, then fear not. Producer Luke Doran (who … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, History, Media, Music, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The making of Do Pass Go: boardgames in the internet age

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Samira Ahmed

Do Pass Go my BBC Radio 4 documentary, airing on Friday April 14th 2017, has its origins in a piece I wrote about the Libyan dictator General Gadaffi playing chess on TV in the run up to his toppling, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Business/Economics, Children, Culture, Design, Games, Germany, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments