Picture This

Sir Michael Palin and John Wilson in conversation

This event is part of Picture This.

Talks and conversations

Friday, 26 June 2026

7 - 8 pm, doors open at 6.30 pm

Pigott Theatre

For everyone

Tickets

Standard:	£22
Concessions:	£17

Please book a ticket to attend this event.

Please arrive in good time to access the building and find the event.

Bookings close ten-minutes before the event.

Concessions are for full-time students, jobseekers, and disabled adults.

Book now

About

‘Picture This’ is a brand new series of conversations, hosted by journalist and presenter of the BBC’s 'This Cultural Life', John Wilson. Special guests from a wide variety of fields, including fashion, music, literature and film, will join John to reflect on their life and work through the lens of a National Gallery painting.

Join us for a special evening with writer, actor, comedian, and broadcaster, Sir Michael Palin in conversation with John Wilson as they take a closer look at Turner’s 'The Fighting Temeraire' and discover why this painting holds special significance for our guest.

Michael Palin first rose to prominence with 'Monty Python’s Flying Circus' and 'Ripping Yarns'. His film work includes 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', 'Life of Brian', 'A Fish Called Wanda' (for which he won a BAFTA), 'Fierce Creatures', and 'The Death of Stalin'.

Michael features in the film My National Gallery, which showcases those whose lives have been touched by the Gallery - from security guard to director, everyday visitor to celebrities and members of the royal family.

Alongside his acting and writing, Michael is celebrated for his landmark travel series, including Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole, Sahara, Himalaya, Brazil, North Korea and In Venezuela, which aired in 2025.

He is the author of novels, children’s books, diaries, and acclaimed non-fiction, including Erebus and Great-Uncle Harry.

Michael was President of the Royal Geographical Society from 2009 - 2012, made a BAFTA Fellow in 2013, and was knighted in 2019 for services to travel, culture, and geography.

John Wilson

John Wilson is an acclaimed journalist and broadcaster who has specialised in arts and cultural affairs for over 25 years. He presents 'This Cultural Life', the BBC Radio 4 podcast series on which guests have included some of the world’s most important creative figures including Paul McCartney, Frank Auerbach, Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Judi Dench, Sam Mendes, Nick Cave, Jennifer Lawrence, Nile Rodgers and many more. John presented BBC Radio 4’s flagship arts magazine show 'Front Row' from its launch in 1998 until 2021. He also hosted the acclaimed music series 'Mastertapes' and presented the art theft investigation documentary 'The Billion Dollar Art Hunt' for BBC Four.

Livestream

This event will be in the Pigott Theatre.

The event will also be livestreamed. If you would prefer to watch the livestream, please book tickets here.