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Sunday 6th March
Documentary
The Story of Variety with Michael Grade
BBC4 8.00pm -9.00pm After the War 1/2.
Enter a lost world of entertainment with this celebration of the postwar heyday of variety. Michael Grade is our qualified guide - he joined the family theatrical agency in 1966 - and delivers a warm and funny show, full of good anecdotes. That's because he lets veteran entertainers and agents do much of the talking - Val Doonican, Doreen Wise (widow of Ernie), Bruce Forsyth, Ken Dodd, Roy Hudd, Barry Cryer and Janet Brown among them. Although largely filmed at the London Palladium, many of their recollections concern the third-rate halls or "number threes" - Attercliffe Palace in Sheffield and Bilston Theatre Royal keep cropping up. Unforgettable, but for all the wrong reasons, as are tales of theatrical digs. In contrast, a parade of clips features comics, ventriloquists, dancers, jugglers and animal acts - from Max Miller to Memory Man, and Kardoma the flag act to Koringa the lady snake charmer. Nostalgia, social history... however you label it, there's nothing po-faced about this supremely entertaining show.
Documentary
The World's Strongest Child and Me
Sunday 06 March 10:00pm - 11:10pm More4
Mark Dolan concludes his search for the world's most incredible individuals by seeking out the next generation of super-strong children. He attends a controversial weightlifting contest in America and meets Aaron Ellis, who at seven years old could lift almost twice his own weight. He also travels to a boarding school for budding Olympic weightlifters in Russia and visits Hollywood, hoping to find Richard Sandrak, who shocked the world in 2000 at the age of eight, when footage of his incredible bodybuilder physique was first seen by the wider public.
Film
Zidane: a 21st Century Portrait 12:30am - 2:00am BBC2
Following the lead of Hellmuth Costard's 1971 study of George Best, Football like Never Before, this audacious documentary tracks Zinédine Zidane for the duration of a La Liga game between Real Madrid and Villareal in April 2005. Technically, the film draws attention to itself far too often, with its tricksy shifts between camera angles (courtesy of Se7en cinematographer Darius Khondji) and distances. But, as a study in sporting concentration and an avant-garde experiment in spatial disorientation, it's as compelling as it is impressive. Particularly striking is the unswerving intensity that seems to isolate Zidane from his team-mates, as he rarely calls for the ball or issues instructions throughout the match. Indeed, he remains emotionless - apart from a grin at Roberto Carlos just before joining the goalmouth mêlée that results in him being sent off. Revealing the flaws as well as the genius, this is clearly a portrait of an artist at work.
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Monday 7th March
Documentary
Parents Under Pressure 7:00pm - 8:00pm BBC2
REQUESTED BY FRANCIS BARTON FOR OXLC
Children in this country, according to research, are unhappier, unhealthier and more unruly than they've ever been, partly, say various experts, because many parents work such long hours they simply don't have the time (or energy) for their kids. Sophie Raworth, a mother herself, looks at all the reasons parents have to feel guilty about the way they're bringing up their children, as well as reporting on schemes to help them. Most of her findings will come as no surprise - and many of them are pretty inconclusive. But it does make you wonder how any of us ever manage to bring up a reasonably well-adjusted child.
Documentary
The Story of Variety with Michael Grade 9:00pm - 10:00pm BBC4 Onto the Box 2/2
This second exploration of showbiz is a tale of those who could play to the camera, instead of the audience. Ken Dodd shows how he's torn between the two. Others did not face the same dilemma - witness Morecambe and Wise's mastery of the medium. For the other modern great, Tommy Cooper, we learn performances were meticulously planned. But in 1984, with alternative comedy booming, both Tommy and Eric died. But variety didn't die with them. We have Britain's Got Talent. And now ITV has bought the rights to the Royal Variety Performance. That wouldn't have happened had Grade been back at the BBC.
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Music
Agony & Ecstasy: A Year with English National Ballet 9:00pm - 10:00pm BBC4
1/3, series 1
New series. Documentary taking a behind-the-scenes look at the company on its 60th anniversary. The series follows the English National Ballet over 12 months as it faces doubts about funding and prepares extravagant productions, as well as showing the injuries and accolades received by the dancers. In the first episode, choreographer Derek Deane casts an inexperienced ballerina alongside a world-class guest.
Music
Birmingham Royal Ballet's Cinderella 10:00pm - 12:00am BBC4
Elisha Willis and Iain McKay star in a new production of the fairy tale by director and choreographer David Bintley, who collaborates for the first time with renowned artist John Macfarlane and lighting designer David Finn. In its 20th anniversary year, the company retells the classic story of good triumphing over evil as the downtrodden Cinderella overcomes the exploits of her wicked stepmother and ugly step-sisters to win the heart of Prince Charming, with the help of her fairy godmother. Set to Prokofiev's melodious score, the ballet is filmed by Ross MacGibbon - a former dancer with the Royal Ballet.
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Wednesday 9th March
Documentary
23 Week Babies: The Price of Life 9:00pm - 10:00pm BBC2
Science writer and director Adam Wishart's documentary follows the stories of premature babies born at Birmingham Women's Hospital. Nine out of 10 infants born four months early die before they leave the neonatal ward, and, of those who survive, three quarters end up with a disability. He speaks to medical staff in the unit about the emotional and material cost of keeping these newborns alive, and listens to families who decided to fight for their children, as well as those who gave up hope.
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Thursday 10th March
News and current affairs
Make Your Own School: Tonight 7:30pm - 8:00pm ITV1 London
Report following the efforts of a group of parents attempting to establish a `free school', in light of a new education policy. The Government claims allowing parents, teachers, charities and businesses to set up their own institutions will help raise standards, but critics warn it could have a negative impact on the state system. The first such schools are set to open in September.
Arts and culture
Paul Merton's Palladium Story 9:00pm - 10:00pm BBC4
Act One: The Variety Years 1/2
Part one of two. The comedian tells the story of the famous London theatre, featuring onscreen contributions from those who have worked there, as well as archive clips of performers including The Crazy Gang, Judy Garland, Laurel and Hardy and Larry Grayson.
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Friday 11th March
Documentary
The Only Gay on the Estate? 7:30pm - 8:00pm Channel 4
Director Michael Ogden makes a journey back to his roots in Wythenshawe, Manchester, where he explores the years he spent as a closeted gay teenager, hiding the truth from his friends and having a relationship with a local girl. He tries to find out what happened to the children in his old neighbourhood in an effort to confront his past, and hopes to clear the air with his parents, who still do not accept his homosexuality. Part of the First Cut strand.
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Please email oxstallsmediaservices@glos.ac.uk if you would like any of the following series or programmes recording. * *This applies to staff members and students at the University of Gloucestershire. Any recordings made are to be used only for educational and non-commercial purposes under the terms of the ERA Licence.
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