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The History of Ideas Podcast
with David Runciman

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Films of Ideas extra: The Designated Mourner

An extra episode to accompany our Films of Ideas series: David explores The Designated Mourner by Wallace Shawn, the writer and co-star of My Dinner with Andre. How did a play first performed in 1996 turn into a prophetic text for our times? How was it shaped by Shawn’s experiences in Central America and his view of Reagan’s America? What makes it one of the greatest of all contemporary political fictions?

Next time – Now & Then with Robert Saunders: Home Rule for Ireland!

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00:00 / 01:04

4 January 2026

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