National debate takes centre stage at the Kenton Theatre

The Kenton Theatre was at the heart of the national conversation on Fri 11 Sep as BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? broadcast live from its historic auditorium.

Presenter Alex Forsyth was joined by Baroness Angela Smith, Joy Morrissey MP, Danny Kruger MP and political commentator Andrew Fisher for an hour of live debate, with questions submitted by members of the Kenton audience.

The panel tackled some of the biggest issues of the week, including the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, welfare spending and national defence, face coverings at public protests, immigration and policing, and whether the world is safer 25 years after 9/11.

Before the programme went live, the Kenton was transformed into a BBC broadcast studio, with the production team, technical equipment and audience all coming together for the live transmission at 8pm.

Listeners across the UK also heard Alex Forsyth introduce the Kenton Theatre and its history, including its status as one of the country’s oldest working theatres and its role today as a registered charity at the heart of Henley’s cultural life.

For an independent 240 seat theatre, hosting a national BBC broadcast was a special moment and another reminder that the Kenton’s reach extends far beyond its auditorium.

A huge thank you goes to the BBC Radio 4 team, all four panellists, everyone who attended and submitted a question, and the Kenton staff and volunteers who helped make the evening possible.

Listen again

Missed the broadcast?

Listen to BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? from the Kenton Theatre on BBC Sounds:

Listen here.