The Third Act
Auriens, Catherine Fairweather
What if we all saw age, not as a barrier, but as a new beginning? Featuring sparkling conversation from vintage minds, The Third Act is a podcast that celebrates later life – by putting it centre-stage.
Each episode, writer and journalist Catherine Fairweather chats to some of the world’s most experienced artists, adventurers, actors and entrepreneurs – hearing tales of triumphs and setbacks, exploring the intimate secrets of a life well lived and unpacking tricks for ageing gracefully (or otherwise). Over lunch at Auriens Chelsea, each guest reflects openly and honestly about how they are redefining later living and embracing life’s next act. Warm, witty and invariably wise, this series will leave you with the strong belief that the best is yet to come.
The Third Act is brought to you by Auriens – a luxury residence in Chelsea that redefines later living.
Each episode, writer and journalist Catherine Fairweather chats to some of the world’s most experienced artists, adventurers, actors and entrepreneurs – hearing tales of triumphs and setbacks, exploring the intimate secrets of a life well lived and unpacking tricks for ageing gracefully (or otherwise). Over lunch at Auriens Chelsea, each guest reflects openly and honestly about how they are redefining later living and embracing life’s next act. Warm, witty and invariably wise, this series will leave you with the strong belief that the best is yet to come.
The Third Act is brought to you by Auriens – a luxury residence in Chelsea that redefines later living.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 3, 2023 • 2min
Series 2 Trailer
The Third Act is back by popular demand for a second season of sparkling conversations with vintage minds. Brought to you by Auriens, new episodes will drop weekly from 15th February. Across the series, journalist Catherine Fairweather will be breaking bread with twelve national treasures, and asking them to share their secrets of a life well lived. Guests include playwright Tom Stoppard, journalist Rosie Boycott, politician Michael Heseltine, actor Simon Callow, photographer Steve McCurry and psychotherapist Julia Samuel.
Jun 9, 2022 • 30min
Don McCullin
For the final episode of this series, Catherine Fairweather talks to renowned photographer, Sir Don McCullin CBE. For the past 50 years he has proved himself a photojournalist without equal, whether documenting the poverty of London’s East End, or the horrors of wars in Africa, Asia or the Middle East. Simultaneously he has proved an adroit artist capable of beautifully arranged still lifes, soulful portraits and moving landscapes. He also happens to be Catherine's husband which allows her to ask questions she has never yet asked him - about his reputation as a hard-bitten war photographer, his thirst to learn about new cultures and their very first meeting.
Jun 2, 2022 • 27min
Stefanie Powers
While she may be best known for the popular TV series Hart to Hart, Stefanie Powers has made over 30 films as well as 25 mini-series and numerous plays. Alongside her acting career, she is a passionate conservationist having established the William Holden Wildlife Foundation to further her long time partner's work in East Africa. In this penultimate episode of the first series of The Third Act she talks with Catherine Fairweather about her career, her charity work and the challenges of show business.
May 26, 2022 • 30min
John Blashford-Snell
Colonel John Blashford-Snell CBE is one of the world's most respected and renowned explorers. The founder of the Scientific Exploration Society and Operation Raleigh, his many expeditions include a complete navigation of the Congo River and the first vehicular journey from Alaska to Cape Horn. He also 'invented' white-water rafting during a particularly perilous descent of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia. At the age of 85 he is already planning his next trip to Bolivia. But he takes time out of his preparations to talk with Catherine Fairweather about how he first discovered his love of exploring, the importance of continually challenging yourself and his brush with the Loch Ness monster.
May 19, 2022 • 33min
Brigid Keenan
Brigid Keenan was the youngest ever fashion editor at The Sunday Times when she joined the paper in the 1960's. However she gave up her career when she married a diplomat and, in her own words, became 'a trailing spouse'. During her time living in seven different countries, she has written seven books. Her most successful, 'Diplomatic Baggage', was written while in her 60's and is about to republished this summer. Over lunch with Catherine Fairweather, she talks about choosing between marriage and career, her amazing recovery from a stroke 5 years ago and her thoughts on getting older.
May 12, 2022 • 30min
Johnny Roxburgh
Johnny Roxburgh is a party architect who has worked in the events industry for over 40 years. He has dreamt up parties around the globe for everyone from HM The Queen to Sting and played a key role in many landmark events such as Prince William's 21st birthday. With Catherine Fairweather, he discusses bringing his clients ideas to life including floating a tent on the Mediterranean for a dinner for 400 people, organising his own wedding and his secrets to living well.
May 6, 2022 • 27min
Tim Spicer
The colourful and sometime controversial Lt Cl Tim Spicer is a 20 year veteran of the British Army who has found new success as an author. A former Commanding Office of the Scots Guards, Tim saw active service in the Falklands, the Gulf War and the Balkans. Along with An Unorthodox Soldier, an account of his military life, Tim's most recent book is A Dangerous Enterprise which tells the tale of a secret mission by the Navy during World War II to rescue agents from occupied France. With Catherine Fairweather, he talks about the balance between discipline and indulgence, his love of adventure and living life "on the sharp end of things".
Apr 28, 2022 • 31min
Harriet Walter
One of the UK's most respected actresses, Dame Harriet Walter is currently enjoying great success with recent appearances in hit TV shows such as Succession, Killing Eve, The Crown and Downton Abbey as well as Ridley Scott's latest film The Duel. She talks with Catherine Fairweather about playing 'nasty characters', the secrets to ageing well, the perks of getting married in your 60's and why British stage actors do so well in Hollywood.
Apr 21, 2022 • 33min
John Preston
Former Arts Editor, John Preston's Third Act sees him enjoying huge success in his 60's. He is the author of books including A Very English Scandal, which became an award-winning TV series starring Hugh Grant, and The Dig, which was adapted into a film starring Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan. Drawn to writing about rogues and risk-takers, John talks about his work including The Fall, his recent book about Robert Maxwell, as well as about finding success later in life. He also discusses his latest work, an upcoming TV drama about Labour minister John Stonehouse which stars Matthew Macfadyen and Keeley Hawes.
Apr 13, 2022 • 32min
Marie Helvin
Born in Tokyo, raised in Hawaii, Marie Helvin is one the most highly regarded supermodels who graced the cover of Vogue on multiple occasions. Well known for her work with photographer David Bailey, Marie talks about how excited she is for the next stage in her life as she approaches 70.
