Afternoons for Monday 24 July 2023

 

1:15 Reprieve for St James Theatre

The St James Theatre has been a staple of Auckland since it was constructed in 1928.

But unfortunately, the combination of a fire in a neighbouring building in 2007 and another electrical fire in 2015 has kept it closed for the past 15 years.

However, over the weekend some encouraging news finally arrived.

The Government has agreed to match Auckland Council's $15 million pledge to restore the theatre.

It's been a longtime coming for owner Steve Bielby. He talks to Jesse.

1.25 Top 100 hottest books for 2023 released

Whitcoulls' hottest 100 is out - and this year there is more than one surprise, with the famous boy wizard, Harry Potter, taking a hit.

Whitcoulls book manager Joan Mackenzie talks to Jesse about the list, who's over taken the Harry Potter books and what's hot in terms of a genre in 2023.

1.35 Putting pine forest slash to good use

Pine forest slash has been in the spotlight recently for all the wrong reasons.

However, research at Canterbury University - described as 'groundbreaking' - suggests that the logging debris could be used to rehabilitate soil.

Masters student Kathy Liu has been investigating the use of pine waste, she speaks to Jesse.

1:45 Number 1 album

 

2:10 Television Critic: Brooks Alexander

Today Brooks talks to Jesse about Sex Education, The Bear, Poker Face and The Righteous Gemstones.

2:20 Expert feature: Dreams

Dreams are one of the great mysteries of human consciousness.

It's been theorised that on average we all dream for about two hours each night.

Some remember them better than others, but I bet you can all recall a strange, coincidental, or terrifying dream that's had you scratching your head.

So, why do we dream? And, do our dreams really mean anything?

Dr Rosie Gibson, a senior lecturer at Massey University's school of psychology is our expert today talking about the science of dreams!

If you have any questions for her text 2101 or email jesse@rnz.co.nz.

3:10 Sam Irby's life living in the real world creating fantasy for Hollywood!

Sam Irby lives in the real world and writes for the ones created in Hollywood. She's a writer and supervising Producer for  And Just Like That, the Sex and the City reboot and Shrill. She's a blogger, humorist and  best selling author of essay collections that find the funny in some of her own struggles with Chron's disease,  weight,  and other peoples relentless positivity.  Irby's latest book chronicles the strange reality of someone who occasionally walks the red carpet but has very basic tastes,  a misunderstood passion for Dave Matthew Band, and the urgent need to find a clean toilet  on a regular basis. The book is called Quietly Hostile: Essays.  

3:35 Voices

In Voices today Kadambari Raghukumar talks to Yoga practitioners, teachers and community members about their views on keeping the korero going for everyone to benefit from the ancient Indian physical and spiritual practice.

3:45 The Panel with Zoe George and Stephan Franks