Loose Ends - 18/04/2009

Clive Anderson and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. Multi-award winning actor and performer Jason Donovan talks about dressing up glamorously for his latest musical role in Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical, at the Palace Theatre, London. Stand-up comedian and activist Mark Thomas adds political weight as he compiles a people's manifesto during the UK tour of his show, It's the Stupid Economy. The grand man of Channel 4's Grand Designs, Kevin McCloud, arrives carrying his latest book, Kevin McCloud's Colour Now, which is published by Quadrille. Natalie Haynes talks to music producer and composer extraordinaire William Orbit. He has collaborated with Madonna, Blur and Britney Spears, and created electronic reworkings of classical compositions. He talks about his new solo album, My Oracle Lives Uptown With comedy from Ava Vidal, whose comic talents have landed her appearances across the UK and on radio and television, including a forthcoming series on BBC One, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow. Mercury Prize-winning five-piece Gomez make a welcome return to Loose Ends to play Airstream Driver, a track from their latest album, A New Tide. Galway girl Sharon Shannon is in the studio with a small version of her Big Band, featuring Camille O'Sullivan on vocals, performing the first UK outing for her new single, Mama Lou.