Whistledown Newsletter – No 7. March 2006 General “Stormin’” Norman Schwarzkopf and Sir Geoff Hurst are amongst the guests lined up for this spring run of “The Reunion”, which kicks off on Sunday. Sue MacGregor is once again inviting close-knit teams of people back into the studio to re-live their moment in the sun. For the key players of the first Gulf War, there’s a chance to revisit some of the tensions of the Spring of 1991, and for a 40th anniversary look back, we’re bringing back Hurst, Peters and Cohen for a World Cup 1966 nostalgia wallow. Talking of nostalgia, it doesn’t seem long since Mr Stewart Henderson and I were musing over a plate of Ham and Eggs at the Lord Clyde and wondering why it was that men’s nostrils turn hairy as they get old. In one of those great ‘Eureka’ moments, I exclaimed “Never mind that, pass the mustard,” shortly followed by one of those ‘Hang on: there’s a series in this’ moments. Now back, for a record-breaking 9th series, “Questions, Questions” continues in sparkling form to investigate some of those niggling puzzlers from everyday life. Perhaps most exciting of all though – and something we’re all really proud of - is an astonishing series of programmes presented by Clare English which follows the stresses and strains of a year in the life of a group of young trainee prison governors. It’s funny, moving and full of revelations about the way our prisons are run. Happy Listening. David Prest THE REUNION
CENTRE STAGE: NYT at 50
QUESTIONS QUESTIONS
THE YOUNG GOVERNORS
STOP PRESS:
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“If Saddam had used Chemical weapons, we’d have nuked him,” revealed General Norman Schwarzkopf in our reunion of the key figures in the 1991 Gulf War conflict, produced by Sarah Cuddon. Around the table, Sue MacGregor, the British generals and Defence Secretary Tom King were – you could say - taken somewhat by surprise. That’s the beauty of “The Reunion”, the convivial atmosphere and the passage of time sometimes brings remarkable candour. Later in the series, we’re reuniting investigators from the Serious Fraud Office (produced by Emily Williams), the World Cup winners of 1966 (produced by Chris Green and myself), and gathering the people who played key roles in the wedding day ceremonials of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (produced by Sarah Cuddon). We’re also eagerly anticipating our reunion of “The Family”, the 1975 fly on the wall TV series. Christina Captieux has drawn together director, cameraman and the Wilkins family from Reading. Our repeat transmission is (for this run only) at 8 pm on Wednesday, and the 1966 World Cup reunion (April 23rd) is on Long Wave only because of the Queen’s Birthday bash.
For fifty years, the National Youth Theatre has been taking promising school children with a passion for theatre and turning them into professional actors. At least that’s the theory. In practice, many have gone on to brief appearances in The Bill, and then found themselves elsewhere; a bit like Kate Adie, who did her time at NYT before joining the BBC. In this affectionate tribute, actress Jessica Stevenson tells the NYT story from their early rigorous interpretations of Shakespeare to gritty contemporary pieces. As you’d expect, producer Caroline Hughes has persuaded a glittering line up of NYT graduates to tell their tales, including Timothy Spall, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Helen Mirren, Barrie Rutter, and Little Britain stars David Walliams and Matt Lucas.
Why are children obsessed with making dens? Who was the Black Eagle? Can our voice reveal our true character? Why is the triangle part of the percussionist’s repertoire? Stewart and the team are back with a new series to handle some of your everyday queries on the bizarre or seemingly mundane. Sarah Cuddon and Emily Williams will be producing, and we’ve got a team of experts on hand. As always you can e-mail 
Every year the Prison Service recruits graduates to its fast-track governor training programme. Some have little experience of life or work, but they can be governing in less than three years. This remarkable three-part series, produced by Deborah Dudgeon, follows the progress of a group of young governors as they go through the Intensive Development Scheme. This aims to propel prospective leaders up the ranks, but it’s controversial with the trainees spending only a short time on the wings learning their “jailcraft” before going on to manage staff twice their age. The prisoners in their charge are some of society’s most complex outcasts, and the trainees have to learn fast. Presenter Clare English has been granted unique access to parts of the prison service normally off limits to the media, and the programmes lift the lid on the staffing difficulties that are a part of most establishments. 
It’s been a great start to the year. We had all round ecstatic reviews for “Churchill Confidential”, our extra-ordinary recreation of the wartime cabinet meetings broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on New Year’s Day. Then – just announced on Tuesday night - a SONY Nomination for “The Reunion”! The last series featuring Not the Nine O’Clock News, Japanese Internees and Sarajevo siege survivors has made it through to the last five in the prestigious Speech Award category. We’re up against tough competition, including Radio 4’s Sunday morning flagship “Broadcasting House” and BBC Radio Ulster, but it’ll be fingers crossed on May 8th at the Grosvenor House Hotel to hear if we’ve got gold!