As part of Radio 3's celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Third Programme (on 29 September 1946), Alan Hall was asked to produce a special documentary feature that imaginatively explores the extraordinary archive of the Radio 3 and 'The Third'.

"sublime and original ... a work of genius"
Jane Anderson, Radio Times

Framed by one of Radio 3's more famous pauses - when announcer John Holmstrom had to 'fill' for half an hour during a Prom in 1985 - this irreverent but affectionate feature is crammed full of highlights and hic-coughs, familiar characters and flaming controversies. Concerns about cultural elitism, patronage of the arts and 'accessibility' have resounded through the decades - though never quite like this.

"... a splendid collage ... a send-up and celebration. The windy elitism of the past now seems unbelievable but all the more enjoyable for that. 'The new meaning of highbrow' was discussed and whether a person might be described as having a 'Third Programme mind'..."
Kate Kellaway, The Observer

We would like to dedicate this broadcast to the memory of Sir John Drummond, Controller of BBC Radio 3, who died in September 2006.

"what I didn't expect is how much the piece is about class and art...it was passionate in the best ways, an argument and a love affair."