England

Rock musician and producer Nick Lowe. Lowe was a main figure of the British pub-rock scene in the early 70s, then in the late 70s Lowe joined forces with Dave Edmunds to form "Rockpile." At the same time, Lowe was producing albums for artists such as Elvis Costello and Grahm Parker. Lowe went solo in 78, and had hits with "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass," and "Cruel to be Kind." His production credits during that period included The Pretenders, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and John Hiatt.

Rock singer, guitarist and record producer Dave Edmunds. Although he was born in Wales, his music is influenced by the American roots of rock and roll. As a producer, he's worked with the Stray Cats, The Fabulous Thunderirds, and he produced the come-back albums of the Everly Brothers and Dion. In the 1970's, he got together in London with Nick Lowe and formed the band Rockpile. Edmunds has a new album coming out soon on Capitol called "Closer to the Flame." It's his first in five years.

Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Remains of the Day," by Kazuo Ishiguro. He says it's a fascinating look at the English class system as seen through the eyes of a young Japanese author.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back to the dawn of the British punk scene, and the creation of acts such as the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Billy Idol, and Siouxie and the Banshees.

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews First Light, a new novel by the British writer Peter Ackroyd.

Critic Stuart Klawans reviews the new Mike Leigh film, about working class people and their gentrifying London neighborhood. It's the director's first movie since the 1970s; Klawans says it was worth the wait.

Novelist Salman Rushdie's new book has been banned in several countries because of what many see as its blasphemous take on Islam. Book critic John Leonard says the novel is indeed blasphemous, but Rushdie directs his ire ecumenically, critiquing Indian culture and Margaret Thatcher as well. The narrative is messy, but it's the messiness that makes it interesting.

The British director and screenwriter's latest movie examines the life of London's working class in the age of Margaret Thatcher.

Rock historian Ed Ward says the 1960s Mod movement started in working-class London, and was rooted more in fashion than rock music. But the amphetimine-fueled subculture was short-lived, and many Mods became hippies. The re-emergence of Mods in the 1970s didn't last long, either.

Book critic John Leonard says that Greene has trained readers to fill the gaps in his novels and flesh out his sometimes underdeveloped characters. Leonard is a longtime admirer of the author, but says his newest book is more of a notebook than a polished novel.

The actor left India to study in England; he says there were no opportunities to hone his craft in his home country. Despite personal discrimination and early difficulties finding race-approriate roles, Saeed refused to become bitter; he says harboring that emotion would have hurt his acting. He stars in the new film The Deceivers.

Book critic John Leonard says that Murial Sparks' new, slim novel is packed with plot. The result isn't clutter, but richness. A Far Cry from Kensington, about a woman in the publishing world of 1950s London, reminds Leonard of Doris Lessing, only with a sense of humor.

Actor Bob Hoskins. He stars in the new film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" in which he acts opposite an animated rabbit. Hoskins' other roles include the mob chief in "The Long Good Friday," a low-level hudlum in "Mona Lisa," and the gangster club owner in "The Cotton Club."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles The Kinks, one of the first of the British Invasion groups, and their 1966 album Face To Face.

British conductor Simon Rattle. While Rattle has won acclaim for his guest conducting in America and Europe, he is best known for the success of his City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Rattle's success has created a new legitimacy in England for regional orchestras. The orchestra is now touring in America.

Violinist Yehudi Menuhin (Ya-hoo-dee Men-you-in). Menuhin's career began early: he was a child prodigy and made his debut in 1924 when he was seven. Since then, he has toured extensively and developed into one of America's most celebrated violinists. In recent years, he has become almost as well known for his deep interest in art, politics, psychology and philosophy. (Interview by Faith Middleton).

Singer Mick Moloney returns to play two Irish folk songs.

Critic-at-large Laurie Stone reviews the film Sammy and Rosie Get Laid.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid," the new film based on the screenplay by Hanif Kureishi, who also wrote the screenplay for 1985's surprise hit "My Beautiful Launderette."

Book Critic John Leonard reviews "Perfect Gallows," a mystery by Peter Dickinson.