Midweek - 05/05/2010

This week Libby Purves is joined by Felicity Simpson and Francisco Javier Hurtado, Josh Axelrad, Rusty Firmin and Liam Scarlett. Felicity Simpson founded Circo Para Todos. A foundation offering a variety of programmes using circus as a tool for social change and empowerment, it includes outreach work, teaching circus skills in shanty towns and working with institutions that house former street children. Francisco Javier Hurtado is a product of the circus school and performs with the 'Circolombia', a strand of Circo Para Todos at London's Roundhouse and the Freerange in Brighton. Josh Axelrad was an Ivy League graduate in a dead-end job until a chance meeting at a party changed his life. He became a member of a blackjack card-counting gang, winning millions of dollars from casinos across America. He tells his story in the book 'Repeat Until Rich', published by Ebury Press. Rusty Firmin was a member of the SAS assault team which took part in the Iranian Embassy siege on 5th May 1980. The siege had begun six days before when gunmen took over the Embassy in London's Princes Gate, taking twenty-six hostages. After the gunmen executed a hostage the decision was taken by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to send in the SAS and Operation Nimrod was launched. In his book (written with Will Pearson) 'Go! Go! Go! The Dramatic Inside Story of the Iranian Embassy Siege' he tells his story, on the 30th anniversary of that dramatic event. Go! Go! Go! Is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson Liam Scarlett is 23 year old dancer with The Royal Ballet who has been choreographing work since developing an interest at school. The world premiere of his first piece with the Royal Ballet, 'Asphodel Meadows', is part of a triple bill on the main stage of the Royal Opera House in May.