Night Waves - 18/12/2008

As part of the 2008 Radio 3 Free Thinking festival of ideas, Susan Hitch explores the history, architecture and significance of Liverpool's two cathedrals with the new chair of the National Trust Simon Jenkins, architectural historian Gavin Stamp, artistic director of the Catholic Metropolitan cathedral Sister Anthony Wilson and, from the Anglican cathedral, canon Anthony Hawley. How did a huge gothic cathedral come to be built as late as the 20th century and why did Edwin Lutyens's ambitious plans for the Metropolitan cathedral end up as they did? As cathedrals now host art exhibitions, restaurants and corporate events, what is the role of these great buildings today? Recorded in front of an audience at BBC Radio Merseyside.