The Arts Show - Season 1 / Year 2013

Film director Terry George discusses his recent Oscar win for The Shore, we profile Hans Peter Kuhn's Flags installation, explore the 4th annual Culture Night in Belfast, and there is an a cappella performance from The Futureheads.

Marie-Louise Muir presents coverage of the 50th Belfast Festival at Queens, including its celebratory Fifty Fanfares opening, the legacy of Charles Dickens, a unique ice sculpture commemorating Titanic victims and music from Ladysmith Black Mambazo and viola player Maxim Rysanov.

More coverage of the 50th Belfast Festival at Queens with Marie-Louise Muir, featuring a much anticipated new play Paisley & Me with Dan Gordon in the lead role, a feature on poet John Hewitt, a new work from the South African Magpie Art Collective, and Enquirer, a play from the National Theatre of Scotland. Music comes from jazz singer Gregory Porter.

Enniskillen actor Adrian Dunbar talks about his life, career and latest role in Nick Nickleby, a modern-day adaptation of the Dickens novel. Plus there are profiles of the escalating e-publishing and animation industries in Northern Ireland, and music from singer/songwriter Foy Vance.

Actor James Nesbitt is in conversation about his life, career and role in Peter Jackson's latest epic, The Hobbit. The origins of pantomime theatre are investigated and there is a feature on the life's work of local sculptor Deborah Brown, who is still creating in her 80s. Music comes from Derry's teenage singing sensation, Soak.

The show comes from Derry/Londonderry, where a panel of guests discuss the inaugural UK City of Culture programme of events. Music comes from Derry's Codetta Choir and local singer/songwriter Best Boy Grip.

Actress Bronagh Gallagher discusses her acting and music career and the show takes a look at the extravaganza planned for Derry 2013 by choreographer Hofesh Shechter. Also featuring a profile of public artist Maurice Harron. Music comes from the UK's hottest new star, Jake Bugg.

In this show, music producer/DJ David Holmes chats about his prolific career, we go behind the scenes with the Royal Ballet ahead of their UK City of Culture performance, acclaimed artist Basil Blackshaw is celebrated as he turns 80 and music comes from Conor O'Brien of Villagers.