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Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Seán Rocks, presenter of RTÉ radio's culture show Arena, dies aged 63
Seán Rocks , the presenter of Arena, RTÉ radio's main arts and culture programme, has died following a brief illness at the age of 63. Rocks had presented Arena since it was launched in 2009. The show aired Monday to Friday from 7pm to 8pm. He is survived by his partner Catherine, his sons Morgan and Christian and a large circle of family and friends. RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said 'it is with enormous shock and sadness' that the broadcaster learned of his 'untimely passing'. READ MORE ''Seán said once: 'Radio is never about the presenter. It's about the person who is opposite you'. Loyal listeners, especially to Seán's beloved and long-running Arena on RTÉ Radio 1, will recognise the man in that quote: modest yet learned; subtle yet probing; curious yet polite. The listener at home was always his focus, Mr Bakhurst said. 'Not only is radio the poorer for his passing, but so too has Ireland lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices.' The broadcaster's director of audio Patricia Monahan, RTÉ's Director of Audio, said: 'He was interested in everyone's point of view and had a great ability to command an audience's attention. He was never more at home than when he was on stage.' He previously presented Seán Rocks on Sunday on Lyric FM. Rocks, who grew up in Monaghan town, was a teacher and a celebrated actor before moving into broadcasting. Throughout his tenure on Arena, Rocks interviewed many artists, musicians, actors and writers including Edna O'Brien, Danny De Vito, Saoirse Rónan, John Banville, Brendan Gleeson, Emma Thompson and Salman Rushdie. Rocks also made regular appearances at national and international arts festivals. He had worked with RTÉ radio since 2000, presenting several daytime programmes on Lyric FM including The Lyric Breakfast and Lunchtime Choice. He also guest-presented, produced and wrote several series for the national broadcaster. He won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for the Soul of Ireland documentary for BBC Radio 4. Rocks worked extensively as an actor both at home and abroad, appearing at the Abbey, Peacock and Gate theatres in Dublin, as well as at the Royal Court, National, Donmar Warehouse and Tricycle theatres in London. His screen credits include The Bill, Glenroe and Fair City. Rocks was the MC at the State banquet in Dublin Castle for the 2011 visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland. In a 2014 interview with the Irish Examiner , Rocks said he 'didn't set out to be an actor'. 'I worked as a teacher for seven years. I liked teaching younger kids but it remains the most difficult job I've ever done. When you're on, you're on – it's like acting and live radio. The skill sets are similar too – the most important trait in all those jobs is to be able to listen,' he said. 'I didn't set out to be an actor. When I was at college I got involved in am dram doing concerts and plays, which meant acting at night, and my voice was getting really tired, yet it was vital for my work as a teacher.' In the same interview, he said he 'always loved telling stories, even as a kid'. 'That's what acting and presenting is: telling stories.'
BreakingNews.ie
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Seán Rocks, presenter of RTÉ radio's culture show Arena, dies aged 63
RTÉ Radio presenter and actor Seán Rocks has died, RTÉ have announced. He died on Wednesday night following a brief illness, aged 63. Advertisement Mr Rocks presented RTÉ Radio One's nightly arts and culture show Arena since it began in 2009, and recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme on RTÉ Lyric FM, where his radio career began in 2000. Arena aired Monday to Friday from 7pm to 8pm, and Mr Rocks was on air as recently as last Friday. RTÉ Director General Kevin Backhurst said that Mr Rocks' death came with "enormous shock and sadness". "Loyal listeners, especially to Seán's beloved and long-running Arena on RTÉ Radio One, will recognise the man in that quote: modest yet learned; subtle yet probing; curious yet polite. The listener at home was always his focus. Advertisement "Not only is radio the poorer for his passing, but so too has Ireland lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices," Mr Backhurst said. Mr Rocks, who grew up in Monaghan Town, was well regarded for his public interviews with authors such as Salman Rushdie, Edna O'Brien, and Roddy Doyle, and actors such as Rupert Everett, Martin Sheen and Brendan Gleeson. He was also beloved by listeners for his wide-ranging studio interviews with composers and playwrights, authors and filmmakers and songwriters. Mr Rocks also guest-presented, produced and wrote several series for the national broadcaster and won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for the documentary Soul of Ireland for BBC Radio 4. Advertisement He previously worked extensively as an actor both at home and abroad, appearing at the Abbey, Peacock, and Gate Theatres and with many important independent companies including Rough Magic, Druid and Field Day, and at the Royal Court, National, Donmar Warehouse and Tricycle theatres in London. His television and film roles included The Bill, Glenroe, Fair City, Dear Sarah and Go Now. Mr Rocks was MC at the State Banquet for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland and at several state events at Áras an Uachtaráin. RTÉ's director of audio, Patricia Monahan, said that Mr Rocks' passion for radio and the arts was "infectious". "The curiosity with which he approached topics ranging from cinema to theatre and books to classical music was compelling to listen to. He was interested in everyone's point of view and had a great ability to command an audience's attention. He was never more at home than when he was on stage. "He was full of energy and ambition for the future and is a huge untimely loss to radio and RTÉ," she said.
CTV News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Odyssey Theatre presents: The Girl with No Hands
Ottawa Watch Odyssey Theatre's latest production is the world premiere of 'The Girl with No Hands' we have all the details for you.
News24
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News24
Without new funding, Cape Town's great literary fest Open Book faces closure
Cape Town's beloved Open Book Festival, facing a dearth of the national and provincial government funding it has relied on till now Supplied Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Billionaire philanthropist Wallis Annenberg known for her work in the arts, sciences dies at 86
Wallis Annenberg, the billionaire philanthropist who supported the arts, science, education and animal welfare causes over decades in Los Angeles, died Monday, her family said. She was 86. Annenberg died at home from complications related to lung cancer, the family said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "Wallis transitioned peacefully and comfortable this morning to her new adventure," the statement said. "Cancer may have beaten her body but it never got her spirit. We will hold her and her wisdom in our hearts forever." Her children and co-directors of the Annenberg Foundation, Lauren Bon, Gregory Weingarten and Charles Weingarten, released a statement saying their mother's generosity will lift people up for "many generations to come." "To the public, she was a dynamic force in philanthropy, to us, she was a mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, and a force of nature whose life and family remain committed to honoring public service," the statement said. Her name adorns institutions across the Los Angeles area, including the Wallis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center, the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace senior center and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, the world's largest bridge for animals on the move, will open next year over an LA freeway. Mayor Karen Bass said Annenberg's passing affects more than just LA. Bass said that her impact helped transform the city in "profound and lasting ways." "Put simply — Los Angeles is stronger because of her," Bass said. "Her legacy of generosity will live on forever through the many lives changed by her service. My thoughts are with the Annenberg family during this difficult time." During her 16-year tenure as president and chief executive of the Annenberg Foundation, the nonprofit organization has donated about $1.5 billion to thousands of organizations in Southern California, the Times reported. Under Wallis Annenberg's leadership, the foundation expanded its philanthropic scope beyond media, arts and education to include animal welfare, environmental conservation and healthcare. Gov. Gavin Newsom also released a statement saying she was a "visionary who believed not just in a better world but a kinder one." He added that she was committed to helping people connect with each other and her work helepd fund medical research, economic development and environmental protection. "California is better for all that she did, and for her enormous heart and unbelievable generosity," Newsom said. "Jen and I join all those mourning this remarkable woman, but know that her legacy is carried on by her family, the work she accomplished, and the people she empowered to create a better world." Her father, Walter Annenberg, started the foundation after selling his publishing empire, including TV Guide and other publications, in 1989 to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Walter Annenberg died in 2002. Wallis Annenberg was a longtime board member of LA's Museum of Contemporary Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or LACMA. In 2002, she gave $10 million to endow LACMA's director position. "Wallis Annenberg blessed the Los Angeles community not only with her philanthropy, but also with her guidance about how to improve our community," said LACMA Chief Executive Michael Govan, who filled that endowed position in 2006. Born in Philadelphia, she moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s after marrying neurosurgeon Seth Weingarten. The couple divorced in 1975. Wallis Annenberg received the 2022 National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden for her life in philanthropy. She is survived by four children and five grandchildren.
