成人论坛

CHRISTOPHER LEE RECORDS HEAVY METAL COVER OF 'MY WAY'

Actor Sir Christopher Lee is marking his 92nd birthday by releasing an album of heavy metal cover versions. The album includes a version of Frank Sinatra's 'My Way', originally written by Paul Anka. "My Way is a very remarkable song" said the star..."It is also difficult to sing because you've got to convince people what you're saying is the truth".

Christopher Lee is by no means the first person to cover Frank Sinatra's masterpiece. The Arena classic 'My Way' investigates the appeal and power of the popular song through it's multiple versions. From Elvis Presley, to Sid Vicious and David Bowie, it has become an anthem for the individual. The song has been recorded over 140 times but none so powerfully as Dame Shirley Bassey, here seen giving a belting performance.

Arena: My Way (1979), directed by Nigel Finch

To see more on the origins of 'My Way' and a piece from Arena series editor Anthony Wall, visit the Arena webpage

25th ANNIVERSARY OF TIANANMEN SQUARE

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing. Crowds of protestors, including students and factory workers camped out in the square before the Chinese security services moved in on the 4th June 1989. The estimated death toll ranged from several hundred to several thousand and 1,600 protestors were arrested.

Two years after the events in Tiananmen Square, Arena travelled to China to investigate the growing phenomena of Chinese rock music, which emerged in the years surrounding the protests. Cui Jian was the country's first rock star and through his ability to rally the youth against a political movement, he听has been cited as China's answer to Bob Dylan. One of his most famous songs became a protest song for the Tiananmen march and his band went on to symbolise a new musical revolution in China.

Arena: Rhythms of the World - China Rocks: The Long March of Cui Jian (1991)

Directed by H.O. Nazareth, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

DEATH OF LADY MARY SOAMES

听

Lady Mary Soames, Winston Churchill's last surviving child, has died at the age of 91. She was the youngest of the five children of the wartime Prime Minister and his wife, Clementine. Mary Soames served in the auxiliary territorial service during World War Two, manning anti-aircraft batteries in London, Belgium and Germany.听

Mary Soames went on to become the chairman of The National Theatre from 1989 - 1995, appointed by Margaret Thatcher's government. Arena interviewed her last year for the documentary charting the history and influence of The National Theatre. She candidly talks about her role as chairman which was regarded with deep suspicion by the theatre. Whilst Thatcher's idea may have been to have her keep an eye on the National, it was not long before she fell into good company with many of the actors, remembered fondly here by Ian McKellen and Richard Eyre.听

Arena: The National Theatre (2013)

Directed by Adam Low, Produced by Martin Rosenbaum and David Sabel, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

听