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Meet Me at the Museum

Special: Why museums matter with Russell Kane

Season 4, Ep. 5

In this special episode, comedian Russell Kane speaks to a variety of guests about how the lockdown has affected cultural venues across the UK and explores why museums matter more than ever. Alistair Hudson, director of the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester and Elinor Morgan, head of programme at MIMA in Middlesbrough, talk about the positive role museums can play in the community; writer and critic Olivia Laing examines the ways art can help during a crisis; and arts influencer Katy Hessel constructs an imaginary museum full of some of her favourite works of art.

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  • Introducing: Meet Me at the Museum

    03:36
    Welcome to Meet Me at the Museum. Cariad Lloyd introduces a new podcast featuring famous faces (and friends) as they explore a favourite museum or gallery, find out about what goes on behind the scenes, and chat about life, the universe and everything.
  • 1. Cariad Lloyd at the Fashion and Textile Museum

    24:24
    Comedian and podcaster Cariad Lloyd takes her mum Ruth along to the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, where the pair get to indulge their shared love of fashion, visit founder Zandra Rhodes’ exclusive penthouse suite, and sample the delights of the museum’s café.
  • 2. Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie at The Postal Museum

    44:47
    Comedians Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie head along to The Postal Museum in London, where the pair get to indulge in some super-geeky postal history and take a ride on Mail Rail, the miniature underground railway that served as an essential part of the capital's mail system for over 70 years.
  • 3. Tez Ilyas at the National Football Museum

    21:43
    Comedian Tez Ilyas and his football fanatic dad visit the National Football Museum in Manchester, where they reminisce about childhood and Blackburn’s glory days as they put their skills to the test for penalty shoot-outs and match commentary.
  • 4. Beattie Edmondson at the Ashmolean Museum

    28:07
    Actress and writer Beattie Edmondson takes her sister Freya to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford for an afternoon of witchcraft and sorcery, where they find magical items in the museum’s collection and recall growing up in ‘mystical’ Devon.  
  • 5. Natalie Haynes at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery

    28:30
    Writer and broadcaster Natalie Haynes takes her best friend Helen Bagnall to Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle, where they are transported through the ages and explore Roman treasures. 
  • 6. Lloyd Langford at Cardiff Castle

    26:22
    Comedian Lloyd Langford takes pal and fellow funnyman Matt Forde to Cardiff Castle where they meet players in historical re-enactments, learn about medieval weaponry and venture into wartime tunnels. 
  • 1. Russell Kane at the Whitworth

    35:03
    Comedian Russell Kane takes his auntie Christine along to the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester, where they reflect on the relationship between culture and class, tour the incredible range of artwork on show, and get to explore an exhibition that unearths the history of former Moss Side nightclub, the Reno.
  • 2. Lemn Sissay at the Foundling Museum

    34:24
    Poet and chancellor of Manchester University Lemn Sissay takes good friend Asif Khan along to the Foundling Museum in London, where they explore the UK’s first children’s home and first public art gallery. Inside they talk to director Caro Howell about the museum’s rich history, and reflect on the contribution artists have made to philanthropy and social welfare over the years.