Listen Again - to World Radio Switzerland

Katt Cullen spoke with LYMPA cast and crew for upcoming show The Greatest Showman - the concert that will soon be taking place at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices for 5 shows across 3 days; Friday 5 - Sunday 7 September 2025.

Featuring over 20 live musicians, 16 professional performers from Switzerland and London, and an international creative team, this concert-staged adaptation reimagines the hit film with symphonic power, theatrical staging, and vibrant storytelling.

Musical Director Francesco Redica and performer Joe Boyle came into the studio to talk about rehearsing across two countries and how everything is coming together ahead of their first day in the venue.

More information and tickets are available at lympa.ch.

Please note: this show is in both French and English: dialogue will be in French, songs are in English. 

Maxime Spano is an astronomer, a Doctor in Astrophysics, and is passionate about bringing the wonders of the night sky down to Earth for everyone to enjoy. He's also the founder of AstroLeman, where Maxime shares his love for the stars with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. 

Today Maxime is telling us about the lunar eclipse that will be visible from Europe this Sunday evening. 

Look to the sky this Sunday between 8 - 9pm. The moon will rise with an orange-reddish colour. Maxime explains why this is, if the Earth is blocking the sun's light. It'll be visible with the naked eye.

The next one visible from Europe will be next August 2026. 

James Austin, Director of Expat Expo, joined Katt Cullen on the WRS Breakfast Show to talk about the upcoming event designed for Switzerland’s international community.

Expat Expo brings together services and businesses that support expats with housing, banking, healthcare, education, and more.

The events provide a welcoming space for newcomers and long-term residents alike to access reliable information, meet experts, and connect with other English-speakers navigating life in Switzerland.

The next Expat Expo event is in Geneva at the Pavillon Sicli on October 4th. 

The event is free, but attendees must register in advance. 

The 7th annual Swiss Urban Sketchers Symposium (USk) comes to Geneva from 4–6 September, bringing together 300 artists, from beginners to professionals, for three days of creative exchange. It's the 2nd USk event held in Suisse Romande and the first time it's been held in Geneva. 

With 19 international instructors leading workshops in English, French, and German, plus free daily sketching events across the city, it’s a celebration of observational art in urban spaces. Workshops will explore different mediums such as watercolour, pencil, charcoal, and even digital. 

Roxanne Moore, organiser of this event, as well as organiser for the Geneva chapter who meet monthly throughout the year, joins us in the WRS studio... 

If you love horses, you’re in for a treat next week – many of the world’s top dressage riders will be in the region for the FEI Dressage European Championships. 

It’s being held at the Jiva Hill Resort in St Genis, in neighbouring France. 

It starts next Wednesday, 27th August – and goes on till Sunday. 

Brian Haugen from Jiva Hill came into the studio to tell us more: 

GAOS' Sarah Irwin and Sam Fiore join Katt Cullen on the WRS Breakfast Show ahead of the upcoming youth production of Les Misérables, which will be staged at the Théâtre de Marens in Nyon this August. 

At just 17 years old, this is Sam’s very first time performing with GAOS - and he’s stepping straight into the spotlight, taking on the principal character of Enjolras, the passionate Head of the Revolution. Meanwhile, Sarah is no stranger to GAOS. Having performed with them several times already, she now takes on the challenge of directing her favourite musical - one she’s already seen on the West End stage four times.

The two shared their excitement about bringing such a powerful story to life, the energy of the young cast, and what audiences can expect from this much-loved classic in its youth theatre form.

See Les Misérables in Nyon from August 29th to 31st. Tickets are available at GAOS.ch

The Rencontres Musicales de Bernex is an annual free music festival held in the village of Bernex, Switzerland. The event is organised by the Commune of Bernex's cultural service and features a thematic focus each year, such as jazz, country, rock, folklore, and disco. This year the theme is Celtic music and will include acts like the Calum Stewart Trio & Sophie Stephenson (tradional Celtic music & dance), Startijenn (Breton folk & electro fusion) and Triskill (Celtic metal). 

The festival aims to provide high-quality performances while promoting lesser-known artists alongside internationally acclaimed groups.

In addition to music, the festival includes various animations, exhibitions, and themed stalls along Rue de Bernex, creating an immersive cultural experience for attendees of all ages. Local restaurateurs, caterers, and associations contribute to the event by offering a variety of regional specialties, tailored to the annual theme.

The 2025 edition will take place 22-24 August. 

Bernex's Stéphanie Vidonne came into the WRS studio to talk to Katt Cullen on the WRS Breakfast Show...

Sally Freedman joins Katt Cullen on the Breakfast Show to look ahead to the UEFA Women's EURO final in Basel this Sunday between Spain and England, with a recap on how both teams have played in their semi-final games earlier this week. 

Mark Richardson, drummer of the iconic British band Skunk Anansie, took a few minutes backstage at Paleo Festival to chat to WRS' Katt Cullen. On the recent release of their powerful new album "The Painful Truth" early this year, Mark explained how it had been essential for them to find a producer that would push their boundaries. They found the right person, but it required a lot of trust.

With the band now in their 31st year, Katt began by asking Mark what made Skunk Anansie break through in the 90s - and whether that same energy and message still drive their success today.

Here’s Mark Richardson…

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Are budget cuts to international organisations a threat to the status of Geneva as an international city? 

Vincent Subilia, the Director General of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, knows the value of international Geneva, not just to the city – but the country as a whole. 

He’s pushing for assistance from the canton as well as the confederation to ensure Geneva retains its role.

Mark Butcher asked him, how worried about Geneva is he right now?