Cultural Life: Richard Eyre, director

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Theatre

The last thing I saw was David Hare's 'Wall', which was both informative, thought-provoking and entertaining.

Television

I watched a good documentary on Charlie Parker and a terrific documentary by Hannah Rothschild called 'The Jazz Baroness' on BBC 4, my default channel.

Music

I'm directing a play at the NT called 'The Observer' set in west Africa and have been listening to a lot of Nigerian highlife. My favourite is Ultimate Dr. Sir Warrior and his Oriental Brothers International Band, if only for his name.

Books

I'm reading a book of short stories called 'The Thing Around Your Neck' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Full of sharp observation, wonderful storytelling. Tales of loneliness and longing, delicate and utterly sure-footed.

Visual Arts

I saw the Rodchenko exhibition at the Tate Modern. It's a marvellous account of the determination to reinvent art from a blank page in the wake of the Russian Revolution, to find freedom from the decorative.

Richard Eyre's production of 'The Observer', NT: Cottesloe, until 8 July. For tickets: 020-7452 3000