Shows
I don't see the PointeThe Year Ahead: ballet you should see in 2025/26This week Hermione, Kat and (we've brought her back) Clara discuss the 2025/26 season at the Royal Ballet and Opera. We go through what ballets are on, when, and what they are all about.In order & links: A Single Man, September 2025Like Water For Chocolate, October 2025La Fille Mal Gardée, November 2025 & June 2026Perspectives, Balanchine, Marston & Peck, November 2025Nutcracker, November 2025: The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, full balletWoolf Works, January 2026Giselle, February 2026Mayerling, March 2026: D...2025-06-3025 minI don't see the PointeBallet history (part 2): how it all began...This week Kat, Hermione ... and a special guest (!) Clara talk about the origins of ballet from the 1400s in mercantile Italy to the English 1600s and the king that brought back partying (and ballet). It turns out, ballet in these early periods is much like a Mamma Mia immersive experience where everyone got involved, there was dance, there was singing, there were outrageous costumes, and much more. This episode tells us how we get closer to the art form that we know and love, from the rigid structure of baroque dance. 2025-06-2343 minI don't see the PointeRomeo & Juliet: Plot, Background, and The Fonteyn & Nureyev storyThis week Hermione and Kat are covering the classic ballet Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Kenneth Macmillan in 1965. It's one of the most technically gruelling, emotionally cathartic and visually beautiful ballets out there, and is absolutely perfect if you have never seen any ballet before. What we're talking about in this episode: - Background and plot of Romeo & Juliet, its origins, adaptions, positives and negatives- How Macmillan's version came to be, and the drama about casting- The story behind the iconic pairing of Margot Fonteyn with...2025-03-2758 min
File on 4 InvestigatesGeneration K: Kids on KetamineFile on 4 Investigates goes to Burnley in Lancashire to meet the young people and their families as they grapple with a ketamine epidemic.
Used in human and veterinary medicine as an anaesthetic, experts say the drug is being used by increasing numbers of young people because it's cheap, easy to obtain and fashionable. But the health implications can be catastrophic - even fatal. It can cause mental health problems and irreversible bladder and kidney damage. Reporter Jane Deith hears from the Burnley vicar who has had to set up a support group for desperate parents; families whose children have...2025-02-2542 min
SPERI Presents...New Thinking: Human Costs of Caring w/ Shirin RaiWhat are the human costs of caring labour? Where does this labour take place, who takes it on and how can we best study it?Shirin M. Rai is Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Politics and International Studies SOAS, University of London. Dr Jayanthi Lingham is a Research Associate at the Centre for Care. They join Dr Remi Edwards to discuss Rai's recent book Depletion: The Human Costs of Caring.Works referenced:Lingham & Johnston 2024Budlender, 2010Butler & Hoskyns, 2017Cooper, 2014Dowling, 2021...2025-01-2839 minSPERI Presents...New Thinking: Human Costs of Caring w/ Shirin RaiWhat are the human costs of caring labour? Where does this labour take place, who takes it on and how can we best study it?Shirin M. Rai is Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Politics and International Studies SOAS, University of London. Dr Jayanthi Lingham is a Research Associate at the Centre for Care. They join Dr Remi Edwards to discuss Rai's recent book Depletion: The Human Costs of Caring.Works referenced:Lingham & Johnston 2024Budlender, 2010Butler & Hoskyns, 2017Cooper, 2014Dowling, 2021...2025-01-2839 minI don't see the PointeOnegin Ballet: How To Get Revenge On Your Teenage CrushThis week Kat and Hermione discuss the ballet 'Onegin', choreogrpahed by John Cranko which first premiered in 1965 based on the Pushkin Novel in Verse which was first published in 1825. 2025 is therefore the 200th anniversary of the book's publication and 50th anniversary of the ballet first performance- a big year for Eugene Onegin!
We're talking about everything in this episode:
- The story of Eugene Onegin and the ballet (they're a bit different)
- Pushkin's life and death (it's a wild story)
- The fantastic Tchaikovksy music of the...2025-01-0657 minI don't see the PointeAlice's Adventures in Wonderland: a modern story balletAlice's Adventures in Wonderland opens the Royal Ballet and Opera's 2024-25 season with an amazing series of casts in this now classic Christopher Wheeldon ballet.
Alice opened at the Royal Opera House for the first time in February 2011 and is a magically faithful representation of the classic book 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. It brings a 160 year old story into the world of classical ballet to create a wonderful showpiece, and a Royal Ballet classic.
With music by Joby Talbot, designs by Bob Crowley and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, Alice...2024-10-1450 minI don't see the PointeBallet History (Part 1) : key moments, people & performancesThis week Hermione & Kat are starting a multipart overview of ballet history with a general history. From Italian courtly ballet, ghostly Romantics, the elusive Ballet Russes and riot causing performances, to ballet defections from the USSR, Sylvie Guillem's world changing hypermobility and the French terms, everything is covered.
Stay tuned for more to come in our history of the art of ballet.2024-08-131h 02I don't see the PointeI don't see the Pointe podcast trailerDo you not see the point of ballet? In this podcast we want to change your mind.
In this trailer Kat and Hermione share a story of how ballet brought them together and why they are striving for others to see the point of the ballet world.2024-07-3104 min
The Nightshift with Tod JohnstonSabrina Dowling Giudici on THE NIGHTSHIFTIn this episode of THE NIGHTSHIFT with Tod Johnston, Tod spoke with Sabrina Dowling Giudici, an Italo-Australian artisan and glass artist who has been creatively capturing the essence of the Gascoyne Region since 1993. Born in Rome but raised in Carnarvon, Sabrina has a deep emotional and logical connection to the North West of WA, which she now calls home. Her latest accolade includes an invitation to exhibit at Venice Glass Week in September, where her work will pay tribute to the sea beds and seagrasses in Shark Bay and Venice, highlighting the link between these two regions.2024-07-1620 minI don't see the PointeThe Winter's Tale: ballet meets ShakespeareIn this episode Kat and Hermione discuss Christopher Wheeldon's ballet The Winter's Tale, adapted from the Shakespeare play which premiered at the Royal Opera House in 2014.
We also discuss the new season at the Royal Opera House (now the Royal Ballet and Opera) which starts in September
Booking for the new season opens on the 9th July for YoungROH and the 10th July for general booking.
Links:
- YoungROH 16-25 account for £30 tickets
- B...2024-06-2450 minI don't see the PointeGuy falls in love with Swan: Everything about Swan Lake the balletHermione and Kat return to IDSTP in this episode discussing the Royal Ballet's production of Swan Lake, as well as other versions, the Tchaikovsky score and dancers Fumi Kaneko and William Bracewell.
Where to see Swan Lake
Find tickets for the RB's production of Swan Lake here:
https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/swan-lake-by-liam-scarlett-details
16-25 discounted tickets for the Royal Opera House:
https://www.roh.org.uk/ticket-deals/young-roh
English National ballet adapted Swan lake...2024-04-2248 minFile on 4 InvestigatesLasting Legacy: What went wrong at a Hull funeral home?The discovery of 35 bodies and an unknown quantity of unidentified human ashes at a Hull funeral home has become one of the most harrowing investigations in the history of Humberside Police. Linsey Smith investigates what went wrong and hears from some of the many families who've been left devastated by the discovery - some of whom now know the ashes they were given didn't belong to their loved ones. File on 4 also hears how the funeral industry is largely unregulated and how concerns raised more than three years ago by the Competition and Markets Authority about the...2024-04-1637 minFile on 4 InvestigatesNo Place to Call HomeAs the cost of living crisis continues to increase the strain on families, a record 142,000 children in England are homeless and living in what should be short term temporary accommodation.
Children are being consigned to B&Bs and hotels, former office blocks - even shipping containers – some without a bed of their own, living among rats and cockroaches - conditions the children’s commissioner has condemned as Dickensian.
With the help of young people and their families, File on 4 investigates how temporary accommodation - meant to be a short term safety net - has become a trap some children can’...2024-03-1937 minI don't see the PointeChatting with Alexander Campbell: Creating A Speaking BalletHermione and Kat sit down with Alexander Campbell, principal dancer of the Royal Ballet to talk about 'The Limit', a new show which ran at the Royal Opera House in October.
Alexander talks about the process behind creating a new dance production, adapting dance from a play, and the challenges of working in new ways. Hermione and Kat also chat to Alexander about the realities of ballet, and why the dance form is, and should be, for everyone.
Many thanks to Alexander for being the very first guest on...2023-12-0238 min
On The Line with MileSplitA Spooky Halloween Episode: What In The World Happened At The Colorado And Indiana State Championships? Could The Detweiller Record Go Down? And Next Up: Texas StateOn today's show, we'll go over the three biggest storylines from the weekend -- including major upsets out of Colorado and Indiana -- we'll detail some powerhouse athletes and teams with multiple championships, we'll dive into some thoughts about Washington's and Illinois' state championships and we'll finish with the Texas State Championships.Podcast Segments: Upsets Galore At The Colorado State Championships [2:45]Libby Dowty Won The Indiana State Girls Title [6:10]Dowling Catholic, Johnston Girls Earn Iowa State Titles [9:15]The 4-Peaters: Athletes And Teams Who Are On A R...2023-10-3138 minI don't see the PointeHazards of the job: ballet injuries & Don QuixoteThis episode contains references to injuries and drugs.
This week Hermione & Kat are talking about injuries in the ballet world, as well as their own unfortunate medical dilemmas, and the Royal Ballet's magnificent production of Don Quixote.
Links
- Young ROH account for ages 16-25 for £30 tickets
- Anemoi/The Cellist tickets @ The Royal Opera House (until 2nd November)
- Don Quixote tickets @ The Royal Opera House (until 17th November)
- Cinema Relays of Don Q...2023-10-3133 minI don't see the PointeThis Barbie loves ballet: the good and the bad of ballet moviesIn this episode, Hermione and Kat delve into the world of ballet movies. Many people have their first ballet experiences and become interested in the art form through ballet in film and TV. Not all ballet movies however, are created equal.
Kat talks about the Barbie ballet movies (Barbie in the Nutcracker 2001, Barbie in Swan Lake 2003 & Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses 2006), and Centre Stage (2000), with Hermione discussing The Red Shoes (1948), Black Swan (2010) and White Nights (1985).
2023-07-2736 minI don't see the PointeGoing to the ballet 101Going to the ballet is incredible but can be confusing. This is your strangely detailed guide to booking the best and cheapest tickets, where to sit, what to wear, and lots more. With a quite a few years of going to the ballet under their belts, Hermione and Kat have a lot of tips, detailed tips, for going to the ballet at the Royal Opera House. Consider this episode a reference guide for when you book any tickets and go to the ballet to make sure you have the best possible experience.
- Young...2023-06-1327 minI don't see the PointeYour guide to the 2023/24 ballet seasonIn this episode, Hermione and Kat react to the 2023/24 ballet season at the Royal Opera House. With some brief thoughts on each ballet, we recommend which ones to see for new ballet audiences and what people might enjoy about them.
Follow us on instagram @seethepointe for more ballet info and content.
Next week we'll be sharing exactly how to see ballet at the ROH: how to book tickets, where to sit, what to wear etc.
2023-05-2617 minI don't see the PointeA New Cinderella: Reimagining Classical BalletThis week Hermione and Kat discuss the new production of the Royal Ballet's Cinderella, choreographed by Frederick Ashton.
With brand new costumes and sets, this colourful and magical production is a classic of British ballet, and a perfect introduction to ballet for kids. It follows the classic Cinderella story, so revisiting the Disney film before seeing it would not be a bad idea.
Our dancer of the week is Mayara Magri, a Brazilian principal dancer with the Royal Ballet.
Choreography by Frederick Ashton
Music by Sergei Prokofiev
2023-04-2829 min
Soccer Talk presented by Kick It ForwardE151: Game of the Week Featuring Johnston at DowlingDrags upset #1 Dowling Catholic. Listen to the crew discuss the battle of top 6 teams on a gorgeous spring night!2023-04-2123 min
I don't see the PointeHow to decipher Woolf WorksDon't see the point of ballet? We want to change your mind.
This episode contains references to themes of mental health and suicide which some listeners may find distressing.
This week Hermione and Kat talk about the Royal Ballet's production of Woolf Works, choreographed by Wayne McGregor. They discuss how to watch the ballet, the plots and themes to look out for, and the mesmerising score by Max Richter.
The dancer of the episode discussed this week is Matthew Ball, a current principle dancer at the Royal Ballet.
2023-03-1635 minFile on 4 InvestigatesFirefighters on TrialA damning report into the culture of London Fire Brigade found a toxic mix of racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying. Launched after a young firefighter of colour took his own life, the review included terrible anonymous accounts from those serving in the capital, women groped during exercises, a black man who had a noose left on his locker.
Now File on 4 has discovered shocking new evidence of problems within the fire service elsewhere across the UK. We hear from those subjected to sexual assault, violence and bullying while working on the frontline, left suicidal as a result of the...2023-02-2136 min
I don't see the PointeRanting about ballet & why Sleeping Beauty is greatDon't see the point of ballet? We want to change your mind.
Ballet fans Kat and Hermione are setting out on a journey to share the joy of ballet with people who might not see the point of it. In this episode they discuss:
- what drove them to start a podcast about ballet
- the Royal Ballet's production of Sleeping Beauty
- some favourite dancers
- cheap ways to see ballet in London2023-02-0523 min
Turn That Sh*t Down#073 - Darby Todd (Devin Townsend, Martin Barre, The Darkness)Darby joins the podcast to discuss his markers for success, maintaining a routine with a busy touring schedule, being flexible as a musician, playing for superstars and much more!Darby's Artist Pick - Willie Dowling - https://www.instagram.com/williedowlingNew Episodes Mondays and Thursdays - Subscribe for more!Find us on Socials:https://www.instagram.com/ttsdpodhttps://www.instagram.com/joe_rowley_97https://www.tiktok.com/@ttsdpod*About The Podcast*Turn That Sh*t Down hosts some of the most exciting and compelling...2023-01-231h 01File on 4 InvestigatesUkraine: War StoriesDay by day, hour by hour, people all over Ukraine tell the story of the Russian invasion. We hear from people packing up and leaving with their children and those who remain in the eye of the storm, some fighting for survival amidst food shortages and shelling and others taking up arms to defend their country. Since the war began, many of those affected have been recording their daily struggles for File on 4 - keeping audio diaries, sharing their innermost thoughts at their most vulnerable.Among them, a language teacher from Mariupol who doesn’t even know if...2022-03-1536 minSoccer Talk presented by Kick It ForwardE124: Iowa High School Soccer Coaches’ Round TableSpring isn’t quite here, but high school soccer is just around the corner and we are fired up for it! You know who else is fired up for it? The coaches. When we put it out there to see who wanted to join us for a conversation about the upcoming season, there was such an excellent response that we had to hold two separate rounds of interviews. With input from 1A, 2A and 3A boys and girls coaches, this provides an insightful glimpse into high school soccer - of course we’ll get some team and player previews, but...2022-03-042h 25
4 Calling Birds4 Calling Birds - Season 2 Episode 2 - Tarot Reading with Anna JohnstonOn this episode....The 4 Calling Birds (Hayley, Meredith, Natalie & Steven) are chatting all things Tarot. Hayley Clapham is joined by Tarot Reader Anna Johnston where Hayley has her Tarot Cards read. Don 't be a cynic and immediately think of Jane Seymour in Live & Let Die as that was a movie and this is real.After the interview, Hayley then joins the rest of The Birds back in the studio to discuss her Tarot Reading, how the experience was for her and what the Birds thought of the interview. Natalie Spence also shares her own...2021-10-261h 14
Soccer Talk presented by Kick It ForwardGame of the Week featuring Ankeny at Valley (Substate 8 Final)Postseason games are coming thick and fast and quickly they start to become more and more meaningful. After taking in an entertaining Semifinal in Substate 3 between Roosevelt and Dowling, the Game of the Week Crew decided to visit Valley Stadium in West Des Moines where the Tigers would attempt to avenge a loss from earlier in the season to a young, but talented Ankeny Hawks side. Other local 3A games included Centennial at Waukee in the Substate 2 Final and Dowling at Johnston in the Substate 3 Final. Because the soccer community is tight knit, we were able to...2021-05-2827 min
Soccer Talk presented by Kick It ForwardGame of the Week featuring Roosevelt at Dowling (Substate 3 Semifinal)After receiving over 300 total votes for the Game of the Week, more than 100 of them were cast in favor of a trip to Windsor Heights for the Roosevelt-Dowling match-up. In addition to it being a beautiful spring evening, both squads brought their fans out in full force and they would be rewarded by an entertaining match. As Coach Matt Ream's Roughriders finished out an undefeated conference schedule a trip to visit Dowling provided an opportunity to avenge their regular season penalty shootout loss as well as further their bid for a state tournament berth. Maroon's boss, Jackson Teeling, on...2021-05-2719 min
Soccer Talk presented by Kick It Forward2021 High School Boys Class 3A Central Iowa Substate Preview As the high school boys regular season winds down, postseason play is heating up as we speed towards the state tournament at Cownie in a couple weeks. With the first round of substate games taking place on Thursday, May 20th, we chatted with some of the coaches of the top-ranked central Iowa programs as they prepare for the knockout portion of the season. #16 Roosevelt Roughriders - Matt Ream #14 Dowling Catholic Maroons - Jackson Teeling #13 Ankeny Hawks - Marcus Varnum #7 Johnston Dragons - Jim Frizzell #6 Ankeny Centennial - Brian Duax #4 Valley Tigers - Aziz Haffar #1 Waukee Warriors - Carlos Acebey Substate semifinal...2021-05-211h 19
Soccer Talk presented by Kick It ForwardE103: 2021 High School Boys Class 3A Central Iowa Substate PreviewAs the high school boys regular season winds down, postseason play is heating up as we speed towards the state tournament at Cownie in a couple weeks. With the first round of substate games taking place on Thursday, May 20th, we chatted with some of the coaches of the top-ranked central Iowa programs as they prepare for the knockout portion of the season.
#16 Roosevelt Roughriders - Matt Ream
#14 Dowling Catholic Maroons - Jackson Teeling
#13 Ankeny Hawks - Marcus Varnum
#7 Johnston Dragons - Jim Frizzell
#6 Ankeny Centennial - Brian Duax
#4 Valley Tigers...2021-05-211h 19
The Bob Johnston PodcastThe Bob-Robert PodcastBob Johnston and his PR guru, Robert Dowling, riff on current events in the first (and maybe the last!) "Bob Robert Podcast." In the immortal words of Monty Python, now for something completely different…my guest today is Robert Dowling, who might win an award for being the most interesting person. He also happens to be one of the most accomplished and connected PR execs on the planet, having cut his teeth heading up Weber Shandwick’s Silicon Valley Office, running Fleishman-Hillard’s east coast office, and now operating his own firm, Hudson Cutler, which has offices in New...2021-03-111h 03
Local Government: In Conversation24 September: Place and CommunitiesIn this week’s episode, Ingrid and Jonathan discuss the latest pillar in LGIU’s Post-Covid Councils project, Place and Community, which launched last week. The episode features presentations from LGIU’s Janet Sillett and Jane Sankarayya who spoke at our Place and Community webinar, plus, Andy Johnston talks to Jim Savege, the Chair of SOLACE Scotland and Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire County Council and Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council. And, we give you the lowdown on the 2020 LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards and update you on our upcoming local government book club meeting.2020-09-2453 min
The Why FactorWhy grandparents are importantAsked to describe your grandparents, you may conjure fond childhood memories of trips to the park or going round for your favourite dinner after school. You may live just around the corner and see your grandparents daily or they might be a welcome voice on the phone, brightening your day from afar.
In this week’s Why Factor Elaine Chong discovers just why it is that grandparents matter so much to us and she finds out what happens when grandparents step in to raise their grandchildren.
In the township of Umlazi, near Durban in South Africa, she meets a...2019-11-1824 min
The Why FactorWhy grandparents are importantAsked to describe your grandparents, you may conjure fond childhood memories of trips to the park or going round for your favourite dinner after school. You may live just around the corner and see your grandparents daily or they might be a welcome voice on the phone, brightening your day from afar.Elaine Chong discovers just why it is that grandparents matter so much to us and she finds out what happens when grandparents step in to raise their grandchildren. In the township of Umlazi, near Durban in South Africa, she meets a group of...2019-11-1824 minFile on 4 InvestigatesCan sex offenders and violent criminals be rehabilitated in prison?The decision to scrap the Sex Offender Treatment Programme raised major concerns about the rehabilitation of prisoners and the impact on victims. The scheme was replaced five years after initial research suggested it wasn’t working - and might even increase the risk of re-offending. There are now calls to ensure that other courses, including those which cater for violent offenders, are properly evaluated. Campaigners claim the system for assessing the effectiveness of such programmes is too secretive and needs to be made more open. Some experts believe there’s been an over-reliance on treatment schemes as a wa...2019-10-0836 minThe Why FactorWhy do we love camping?From instant messaging, to online shopping and even smart fridges, we live in a connected age where all of life’s essentials can be obtained at the click of a button. So why do so many people ditch the trappings of modern life and head off into the countryside with a tent?
In this week’s episode of the Why Factor adventure journalist Phoebe Smith sets out on a journey to discover what makes camping so special.
Along the way she discovers a camper in Kenya who spends his weekends alone immersed in nature, a family in Greenland...2019-09-3024 minThe Why FactorWhy do we love camping?From instant messaging, to online shopping and even smart fridges, we live in a connected age where all of life’s essentials can be obtained at the click of a button. So why do so many people ditch the trappings of modern life and head off into the countryside with a tent?
In this week’s episode of the Why Factor adventure journalist Phoebe Smith sets out on a journey to discover what makes camping so special.
Along the way she discovers a camper in Kenya who spends his weekends alone immersed in nature, a family in Greenland who turn...2019-09-3024 min
The Capital Radio 604 PodcastCelebration- a sound portrait of Eighties SA Independent Radio and MusicCELEBRATION – A PORTRAIT IN SOUND OF EIGHTIES SA INDEPENDENT RADIO AND MUSIC The show features 33 of the best South African tunes in the period 1979 through 1990 presented mainly by Capital 604 presenters and the artists themselves mixed with jingles, ads, news ,interviews and a mini documentary on the Operation Hunger 702 Concert in the Park with commentary and live clips ending with a rare live rendition of the 702 Eighties Anthem and a promo for that station done by none other than Capital’s Alan Pearce. Voices - John Moody, Steve Crozier, Michael Letelier, Kevin Savage, Jim Ellery, Alan Mann, A...2017-12-223h 09
CrailtapCrailtap's Mini DV Drawer, Yeah Right! YearsWe dug a little deeper (as in the drawer below the Mini DV Drawer). We found two Yeah Right! tapes. One filmed by Tim Dowling. And that's how these things are going to go, if they're going to go at all. Short and weird. Featuring Mike Carroll, Scott Johnston, Tony Ferguson, Robbie McKinely, Stevie William and Richard Mulder.2011-08-1900 min