Mariella Frostrup

Mariella Frostrup

  • Commentator on Culture, Arts and Society
  • Cracking The Menopause
  • Awards Host, Presenter & Facilitator

With thought-provoking commentary segued through a smooth-as-silk voice, Mariella Frostrup is highly respected presenter of arts programmes aired on British TV and radio. In a distinguished career, Mariella has consistently impressed both audiences and critics with her unique presentational approach that combines a friendly attitude with intelligent insight, but which at the same time always avoids becoming overtly "bookish" or academically dry.

Mariella currently presents Open Book for BBC Radio Four. Other recent broadcasting work includes Leonardo Live for Sky Arts, Bringing Up Britain for BBC Radio 4 (a series that looks at modern parenting), Blonde On Blonde for BBC Radio 2 (examining the lives of blonde Hollywood icons), and Objects of Desire for Sky Arts (a six-part series exploring the world’s most desirable objects).

Mariella combines her television and radio career with that of a prolific journalist, writing for Harper’s Bazaar and the Observer, amongst other titles. As a respected arts critic, she is a member of the judging panels of various distinguished awards, including The Booker Prize, the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Evening Standard Film Awards, the Turner Prize, the Amnesty International Media Awards, the London Film Festival and the RIBA Stirling Prize Awards. She also sits on the Royal Academy Council.

Mariella has been active in the charity sector for many years, most notably for Bank Aid, Comic Relief, Oxfam, The Children's Society and Save the Children. Campaigning for women's rights and gender equality has become a focus in recent years, and in this respect she has experienced first hand the inequalities of women and girls in African communities. This led her, in 2010, to set up with three other trustees the Gender Rights and Equality Action Trust (GREAT), a foundation that aims to foster gender equality and support grass roots projects for disadvantaged women and girls in Africa and beyond. The foundation works in partnership with Femmes Africa Solidarité, an African charity.

Mariella's voice was once voted the sexiest female voice on TV and it is therefore no surprise that her dulcet tones are often heard on TV and radio commercials.

Cracking The Menopause

It’s time for us to start talking about the menopause. Cracking the Menopause, from straight-talking broadcaster Mariella Frostrup and award-winning health journalist Alice Smellie, has all the information you need - with a generous side order of humour.

Designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to manage your symptoms from perimenopause onwards, this essential book separates the myths from the reality and offers expertise, hope and advice. Featuring a popular history of the menopause and case studies from women in every walk of life and all stages of their menopause journey, Cracking the Menopause opens up the conversation about an urgent topic that half the population will experience, but barely anyone is talking about.

  • Why has the menopause been overlooked in medical research?
  • Why is it ignored by society (except as the butt of bad jokes)?
  • What are the symptoms, when will it happen, and what does it really mean?

Answering all these questions and more, Mariella shares her own journey through the menopause – along with the latest science and funny illustrations – to provide an informative source of wisdom, humour and enlightenment. Drawing on cutting-edge research and featuring interviews with a wide range of experts, from leading gynaecologists to psychologists, sleep specialists, nutritionists and more, this book provides advice and recommendations you can trust.

To book Mariella to speak on Cracking The Menopause or to host an Awards Evening please contact Prime Performers via the online booking enquiry form or alternatively call us on 020 3500 3331.

View full details