The Essay is an Arts programme.

Image for the Arts programme "The Essay"
Picture: Lars Gundersen

Seasons in Detail

The Essay

Archaeologist Brenna Hassett takes listeners on a several-million-year-long journey to unearth how humans came to be the species that makes music. She starts with the human voice, exploring when people learnt to sing with it.

Genre: Arts

When is The Essay next on TV?

It's next showing on BBC Radio 3 July 13th, 9:45pm and on BBC Radio 3 July 14th, 9:45pm. See more...

Main Cast

Verity Sharp
Colin McIntyre
Brenna Hassett
Dr Brenna Hassett
Image for Simon CallowSimon Callow
Image for Steve MartinSteve Martin
Image for James FoxJames Fox
Jane Slavin
Image for Neil PearsonNeil Pearson
Gunnar Cauthery
John Waters
Jimmy Burke
Cyril Nri
Image for Adrian EdmondsonAdrian Edmondson
David Gallagher
Image for Paterson JosephPaterson Joseph
Tameka Empson
Image for Juliet StevensonJuliet Stevenson
Image for David ThrelfallDavid Threlfall
Margaret Cho