Night Waves - Anthony Julius/An Enemy of the People/Scandals/Baftas

Anne McElvoy talks to Anthony Julius about the long history of English Anti-Semitism from 1290 to the present day. His new book, Trials of the Diaspora, is the first comprehensive history of English Anti-Semitism. It catalogues the devlopment of the blood libel, the slow rehabilitation of the Jews after Cromwell and the persistent strain of Anti-Semitic thought in British literary life. Controversially, he argues that today a new political anti zionism - part secular part religious - is writing a new chapter in this very old story. The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield has emerged from a creative and architectural re-design with a new production of An Enemy of the People starring Anthony Sher. Night Waves resident critic Susannah Clapp reviews both the play and the theatre that houses it. Anne McElvoy also talks to the Theatre's new Artistic Director, Daniel Evans, whose acting and directing career has garnered two Olivier awards, a host of other nominations and includes acting work that stretches from Sarah Kane to Stephen Sondheim. After a run of scandals from MP's expenses to England football captain John Terry's alleged infidelities, Madeleine Bunting and Matthew Parris debate whether public life has lost the abililty to talk about ethics. When he got married Michael Goldfarb made many vows but none of them involved the Bafta short list. But being married to a Bafta judge brings with it an annual ritual of dvds piling up, lights being dimmed and not being allowed to leave the sofa until the credits roll. He writes a letter for Night Waves on the annual arrival of a cultural behemoth into his domestic bliss but also on how you find time to think critically amidst the demands of family life.