Free Thinking

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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

The ideas shaping our lives today - with artists and thinkers in debates and interviews.

The ideas shaping our lives today - with leading artists and thinkers in extended interview and debate.

Free Thinking: Busking and Billy Waters

Busking and Billy Waters

BBC Radio 4 - Free Thinking, Busking and Billy Waters

The early 19th century street performer Billy Waters, Streetwise Opera and street ballads.

Rana Mitter delves into 19th century street performance and culture with New Generation Thinker Oskar Jensen, historian Mary L. Shannon and Marigold Hughes from Streetwise Opera.

Billy Waters became a celebrity in early 19th century London as a talented street performer.  New Generation Thinker Oskar Jensen and Mary L. Shannon join Rana Mitter to tell Billy's story and those of other musicians performing on the streets of London at the time.  Charlie Taverner has written a history of Street Food. We also hear from Marigold Hughes about the latest production from Streetwise Opera, an organisation that devises opera productions with people who are or have been homeless.

Vagabonds: Life on the Streets of Nineteenth-century London by Oskar Jensen is out now.
Mary L. Shannon's book 'Billy Waters Is Dancing' will be published later this year.
Street Food: Hawkers and the History of London by Charlie Taverner is out now 
Streetwise Opera, BBC Concert Orchestra and The Sixteen perform Re:sound at the Southbank Centre, London on Weds 22nd March and at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on Sun 26th March.

Producer: Torquil MacLeod

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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Busking and Billy Waters

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