Night Waves - 16/04/2009

Philip Dodd marks the 500th anniversary of the start of Henry VIII's reign with a reappraisal of the king and his image. How have successive centuries judged one of the most famous English monarchs of all time? Plus a review of Katie Mitchell's film, theatre and opera piece After Dido. The English National Opera and London's Young Vic have reworked Purcell's opera Dido into an original work involving singers and actors using cameras, lights and sound effects, while the full score is performed live. After Dido tells the story of four Londoners on the night of a live anniversary radio broadcast of the Purcell opera, directed by Kate Mitchell. Theatre critic Susannah Clapp discusses the work with Philip Dodd.