About this episode

This episode shares the stories of various notable figures, including Dame Penelope Keith, through interviews and archival material.

Dame Penelope Keith became a household name for her performances in two classic TV comedy shows of the 1970s and early 80s: The Good Life and To The Manor Born. We share her story through her own words, with interviews from the BBC Archives. David Hencke was an award-winning investigative journalist who worked for the Guardian newspaper for over thirty years. His scoops brought to light wrongdoing in many spheres of public life. His friend and colleague Francis Beckett reveals where his drive to uncover the truth came from. The solitary nun, Sister Maggie Ross, born Martha Reeves, extolled the virtues of silence. A renowned theologian, she spent part of her time in the wilderness of Alaska with a tamed raven. Her bishop protector, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, pays tribute. Marion Fossett was an Irish contortionist, and Eurovision hopeful, who became a fourth generation circus performer by joining the family business. She started young, brought in to the circus ring as an 18 month old baby, by an elephant. Marion became one of the industry’s few ringmistresses. Her niece, Sonya Fossett, takes us inside the world of Fossett's Circus. Presenter: Matthew…

People in this episode

Host: Matthew Bannister

Topics covered

• biography
• television history
• investigative journalism
• theology
• circus arts

Keywords

• Dame Penelope Keith
• David Hencke
• Francis Beckett
• Sister Maggie Ross
• Marion Fossett
• BBC Archives
• investigative journalism
• circus performer
• theologian

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4, Guardian, BBC One

Books & works: The Good Life, To The Manor Born, Wogan, In Conversation… with Penelope Keith, The Heaven and Earth Show, The Good Life: "Silly, but it's fu

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