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Charlotte Metcalf talks to the historian and biographer, Anne Sebba, about her latest book, The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz.   Anne tells Charlotte that she became fascinated with how the women survived and then how she tracked down and interviewed the two remaining survivors, including 100-year-old cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, who came to and was honoured as Oldie Maestra of the Year at this year’s Oldie Awards in February. 

Sebastian Faulks speaking about his new book, Fires Which Burned Brightly, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 14th 2026.

Sara Wheeler speaking about her new book, Jan Morris: A Life, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 14th 2026.

Anna Mathias speaking about her new book, The Greyhound Diary, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 14th 2026.

Mary Beard chats to Harry Mount about her new book, Talking Classics - the Shock of the Old. She reveals how she first fell in love with the ancient world when she was five – and a British Museum room steward opened a display case, holding a 4,000-year-old bread roll from Thebes, Egypt, for her.  She discusses Mussolini's reconstructions of ancient Roman buildings – and  translates the delightfully rude graffiti in the Bar of Salvius in Pompeii.

John Humphrys is back! Radio Oldie is delighted to host a new podcast, The Odd Couple, sponsored by Baillie Gifford, starring the great broadcaster and Matthew Norman, Oldie columnist, formerly the Guardian diarist and Telegraph columnist. For over 30 years, from 1987 until 2019, John Humphrys was the chief presenter on Radio 4’s Today programme. Now he and Matthew, great friends - often with severe differences of opinion - lock horns for the Oldie. In the first episode, John recalls how the back-breaking poverty of his childhood in Splott, Cardiff, galvanised him to embark on his extraordinary career. And he movingly remembers being the first journalist on the horrifying scene in Aberfan 60 years ago, when a colliery spoil tip engulfed a school, killing 116 children and 28 adults. John says of his new presenting companion, ‘Matthew is one of the most gifted hacks I’ve ever met: clever, funny, staggeringly articulate and with a total conviction that he’s right about everything. Always. But is he?’ Matthew says of the new venture, ‘At this point of the calendar, it behoves us to remember that we all have a cross to bear. Working with John Humphrys is mine.’Recording provided by Yamaha Music

Charlotte Metcalf visits the artist Rose Wylie, born in 1934, at her Kent studio to chat to her about her life and her first major one-woman museum show, The Picture Comes First, at the Royal Academy.  It’s the biggest exhibition of her work to date and it is also the first time that a British woman painter has ever occupied all the main galleries at the Royal Academy.  

Simon Jenkins, former Times editor and author of A Short History of America: From Tea Party to Trump, talks to Harry Mount. Next month’s state visit to America by the King should be delayed while the Iran war continues, says Simon. He talks about the 250th anniversary of American independence and how confident he is that the mighty US constitution will ultimately keep Trump at bay.  

Antony Beevor speaking about his new book, Rasputin: And the Downfall of the Romanovs, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 17th 2026.

Simon Jenkins speaking about his new book, A Short History of America: From Tea Party to Trump, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 17th 2026.

Candida Meyrick speaking about her new book, Be More Bird: Lessons from a Hawk, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 17th 2026.

Candida Meyrick speaking about her new book, Be More Bird: Life Lessons from a Hawk, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on March 17th 2026.

The actor Derek Jacobi talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his long career and his various roles ranging from Hamlet to acting in Gladiator, Dr Who and Last Tango in Halifax.  His career stretches back to Cambridge University and then Birmingham Rep where he was spotted by Laurence Olivier and chosen to play Laertes opposite Peter O’Toole’s Hamlet in the National Theatre’s inaugural production at The Old Vic. Putting his success entirely down to luck, Jacobi celebrates his good fortune and is currently on tour in conversation with his partner of 47 years and now husband, Richard Clifford. Tickets for Derek's upcoming tour: https://www.cliveconwayproductions.com/shows/sir-derek-jacobi-in-conversation-with-richard-clifford

The eminent and multiple-prize-winning historian, Antony Beevor, best known for his popular works on the Second World War, the Spanish Civil War and Russia, talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his new book on Rasputin: And the Downfall of the Romanovs, published this week. They also talk about his life and the problems that historians are increasingly facing in an age of disinformation and electronic rather than written communication. 

Comedian, actor and author Nigel Planer, stuck with being known as the lugubrious hippy Neil in the 1980’s sitcom The Young Ones, talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his memoir Young Once.  He tells her how he’s finally escaped being Neil and how, alongside his career as a well-known comedian, he’s forged a successful career as an actor, musician, playwright, poet, audiobook narrator and more.