Night Waves - Sacred Monsters - The Misanthrope/Jean-Paul Sartre/Marcus Du Sautoy/Winter Rituals

Rana Mitter reviews one of the starriest of 2009's openings in the West End, as Keira Knightley, Damien Lewis and Tara Fitzgerald star in Martin Crimp's updated adaptation of Moliere's The Misanthrope. To conclude a special series considering some of important cultural figures who have seen their reputations wither in the last decades, Rana is joined by Jonathan Ree and Andrew Hussey to re-assess the work of existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. He used his fame to become a prominent political and social campaigner, and was revered not just for his intellect but for his liberal principles. Yet since his death Sartre has come to be regarded by some as a figure of fun, a cliche of obscure and irrelevant complication whose thought has little relevance in general life. Existentialism is often dismissed and Sartre himself is criticised for being anti-feminist Rana also talks to professor of the public understanding of science Marcus Du Sautoy, about the challenges of his role as an ambassador for the subject, particularly in the light of recent controversies in climate change research and Government targets for university research. And finally, looking forward to Christmas and the New Year, Rana examines the role that these annual rituals of renewal play in our lives. As we reach the end of a year and a decade, anthropologist Juliette Wood and the Rev Richard Coles explore the ancient roots and contemporary relevance of the annual winter jamboree.