Michael Parkinson: Masterclass

Michael Parkinson chats to well-known figures from the world of the arts, beginning with actor, comedian and marathon runner Eddie Izzard, who discusses his early days as a street performer and the path he took to stand-up, as well as talking about his movie career and the 43 marathons he ran in the space of just 51 days in 2009 for Sport Relief.

Michael Parkinson meets magician and illusionist Dynamo, a man who has walked on the Thames, turned snow into diamonds and brought cardboard butterflies to life. He reveals how he used magic to ward off bullies as a child and talks about the inspiration behind some of his stunts, treating the studio audience to a set of astonishing card tricks, as well as teaching them to mind read.

Michael Parkinson is joined by actor Simon Russell Beale, who reflects on his schooldays, recalls his first portrayal of Shakespeare's King Lear when he was 17, talks about his reaction to a Malvern journalist's unflattering review of his performance in Hamlet, and discusses his working relationship with Mendes. Following the interview, Beale gives a masterclass in acting as he directs four drama students through soliloquies from Hamlet and Othello and a scene from Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard.

Ellie Goulding’s tête-à-tête with Parky doesn’t strictly amount to a “masterclass”, as has been the case with earlier episodes in the series. She does strum him through her favourite songwriting chords but that’s as far as the tuition element of the programme stretches. However, there’s still plenty to learn thanks to a candid chat about Ellie’s estranged father and her role as songstress-in-chief at Kate and William’s wedding. It would be difficult not to warm to the unassuming and thoughtful Goulding, who confirms her status as one of the UK’s leading vocalists with three beautifully breathy performances of her ethereal hits.

Michael Parkinson is joined by dancer and choreographer Akram Khan, who talks about his childhood and the discipline it took to spend up to nine hours a day honing his art alone when his parents thought he was at school. He also talks about how his mixture of Bangladeshi and Western styles has taken him to worldwide stardom, and speaks about working with Danny Boyle on the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. Khan also performs excerpts from his productions Zero Degrees and DESH.

Montenegrin classical guitarist Milos Karadaglic chats to Michael Parkinson about his life and career, from taking up the instrument at the age of eight to appearing at the Royal Albert Hall. He performs Velazquez's Besame Mucho, Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez and Tarrega's Lagrima, and gives a tutorial to Royal Academy of Music student Merlin Miller, advising him on how to improve his delivery.

Michael Parkinson is joined by percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who describes how her loss of hearing as a child led her to music as a way of still playing a part in what she calls the `sound world'. She talks about the appeal of the wide-ranging instruments that make up the percussion family and performs on many of them, then gives a marimba masterclass to a third-year Royal College of Music student.