Front Row Weekly: Recent Episodes
BBC Radio 4
Interviews with leading novelists, musicians, film directors, artists and more, from Radio 4's flagship arts show, presented by Kirsty Lang and John Wilson. Front Row is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 each weekday evening at 7.15 - 7.45pm
Kirsty Lang talks to John Kander, composer of the hit musicals Cabaret, Chicago and now The Scottsboro Boys; actor Michael Sheen discusses performing Under Milk Wood to celebrate Dylan Thomas's centenary; Lynda Nead reviews the new Egon Schiele exhibition The Radical Nude at London's Courtauld Gallery; Brad Pitt on his latest film role in WWII drama, Fury; film director David Cronenberg discusses penning his first novel, Consumed; Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmmy Page on remastering the band's legendary rock song, Stairway to Heaven; actor Robert Downey Jr talks about his latest role as hotshot lawyer Hank Palmer in The Judge; and Boris Johnson considers Churchill's legacy on the 50th anniversary of his death.
John Wilson talks to the godfather of punk, Iggy Pop, ahead of this year's BBC Music John Peel Lecture; Simon Schama reviews the National Gallery's new blockbuster exhibition Rembrandt: The Late Works; Bob Geldof talks about re-forming The Boomtown Rats; Gillian Anderson discusses her debut sci-fi novel, A Vision of Fire; Disney chief Thomas Schumacher on creating The Lion King and a stage version of Frozen; Rachel Joyce on how to follow a Booker-nominated, bestselling novel; and Cat Stevens on his newest album, Tell 'Em I'm Gone.
John Cleese talks to John Wilson about his memoir; Tracey Emin makes it clear why she feels motherhood and a career as an artist are incompatible; Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks of Genesis discuss a new documentary about the band; Clive Jameson talks to Samira Ahmed about his love of poetry and reads his latest poem Japanese Maple; Phyllida Lloyd on her all-female production Henry IV; actress Sheila Hancock comes in to discuss her debut novel; plus Ed Sheeran considers song-writing as revenge and explains why so many of his lyrics are about drinking.
Dame Hilary Mantel from the BBC Radio Theatre, as Front Row announces the winner of the BBC National Short Story Award 2014; Kristin Scott Thomas on playing Electra; a review of the Turner Prize Shortlist; Olivia Harrison on George Harrison's solo work; Stephen Fry on his latest book 'More Fool Me'; Actress Rosamund Pike on her role in the screen adaptation of best selling crime thriller 'Gone Girl'; and a review of 'Terror and Wonder: the Gothic Imagination' at the British Library.
British actor Toby Jones discusses his role in TV drama Marvellous; John Lahr on how he got inside the mind of Tennessee Williams for a new biography; Ricky Tomlinson and playwright Neil Gore talk to John Wilson about United We Stand, a new play which looks at the controversial criminal prosecution that followed the 1972 national building workers' strike; Anselm Kiefer has his first major UK retrospective- the exhibition's curator Kathleen Soriano discusses the themes and the monumental scale of Kiefer's work; Bernard Sumner, one of the founding members of Joy Division and New Order, discusses his autobiography; as two plays about youth activism open, playwrights James Graham and Tim Price discuss portraying political protest on stage; French singer Charles Aznavour, whose hits include the classic She.
Denzel Washington talks about being an avenging angel in his new film, The Equalizer; we get a new perspective on John Constable thanks to a new exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum and there’s existential angst courtesy of actor Mikel Murfi and playwright Edna Walsh, who's new play Ballyturk is at the National Theatre. We get a preview of the British Museum's new exhibition - Ming: 50 years that changed China; folk legend Joan Baez shares her worries about her voice after five decades of singing; top percussionist, Colin Currie, demonstrates how to use his own body as an instrument and best-selling author Kate Mosse tells her about her latest novel, The Taxidermist’s Daughter.
Singer-songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright on his Late Night Prom. Novelist James Ellroy pushes further back into the 1940s in Perfidia, his new prequel to LA Confidential. Soprano Joyce DiDonato on her new album and we go on the road with the Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra, forged in the wartorn Democratic Republic of Congo. Kirsty Lang takes a look at the big new Turner exhibition at Tate Britain and asks does it live up to the hype? Scandinavian artist Olafur Eliasson on how Turner inspired him to capture the weather in his art and Razia Iqbal talks to Lydia Wilson and Oliver Chris about playing Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Helen Mirren on why she had to put on ze French accent in new film The Hundred Foot Journey. Booker nominated author David Mitchell explains the parallel worlds explored in his new novel The Bone Clocks. John Wilson takes his first piano lesson – from Chinese superstar Lang Lang… Lenny Henry talks about his latest stage role and Kirsty Lang meets music legend Tony Bennett. Novelist Pat Barker and playwright Nicholas Wright talk about bringing Pat’s novel Regeneration to the stage.
Kirsty Lang talks to Hollywood star Jessie Eisenberg on acting versus writing. Novelist Margaret Atwood discusses her new collection of short stories and flamenco guitarist, Paco Pena talks about being inspired by Lorca. We take a look at the Frank Auerbach paintings collected by his friend Lucien Freud and actor Jon Hamm on life after Mad Men. Johnny Marr talks about his enduring love of the guitar. Playwright Richard Bean discusses his prolific and varied career and documentary maker Alex Gibney who has made a film about Nigerian musical superstar Fela Kuti.
John Wilson talks to actress Lisa Dwan about the physical and emotional stresses of performing Samuel Beckett’s monologue, Not I. Andy Bell and Vince Clarke from Erasure discuss their new album. Foster’s Comedy Award nominee Sara Pasco talks about historic romances in her new show and we find out why doctors are turning to poetry to help their bedside manners. Razia Iqbal meets Ilan Volkov who will be conducting the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra Prom’s debut. Actor Simon Pegg discusses his new film about a man in search of happiness and Kirsty Lang talks to the creator of Game of Thrones, George R R Martin.
The singer Loudon Wainwright III, father of Rufus and Martha, discusses his latest album Haven't Got the Blues (Yet). Mad Men star Christina Hendricks talks about her new film, God’s Pocket and Irish singer Sinead O’Connor on her new album and new image… The conductor, Sir Neville Marriner discusses his long and varied career and his return to the BBC Proms and following the success of the Inbetweeners TV sitcom making a successful transfer to the big screen, co-creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris talk about their second Inbetweeners film. And Samira Ahmed talks to writer DBC Pierre about his new novella, Breakfast With The Borgias
Adrian Dunbar known for playing a police chief is doing something completely different. Katie Paterson explains why she’s sending a meteorite back into space and Jonny Greenwood performing his Grammy award winning score live. John Wilson talks to Choir master Gareth Malone and War Horse composer Adrian Sutton, Matt Wolf reviews The Young Vic theatre’s new production of A Streetcar Named desire and Julian Lloyd Webber on his future plans in music.
This week Rebecca Hall talks about working with her father Sir Peter Hall; Long Yu, conductor of the China Philharmonic on their historic Proms debut and newly appointed Master of the Queen’s Music Judith Weir. Novelist Philip Hensher discusses his time travelling novel The Emperor Waltz and Manchester United fan Eamonn Holmes reviews new football film Believe. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb is the subject of a new exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, Billy Elliott writer Lee Hall talks about taking on Shakespeare in Love from screen to stage and the Giant Puppets return to Liverpool.
Samira Ahmed talks to the self-proclaimed inventors of the selfie Gilbert and George. Laura Clouting and James Taylor discuss the newly refurbished Imperial War Museum and John Fay challenges the cosy nostalgia of period drama. Razia Iqbal asks do architects have a responsibility to ensure the safety of those who make their buildings? John Wilson talks to Nigel Havers who returns to The Importance Of Being Earnest, discusses the life and work of Nadine Gordimer and talks to Matt Reeves, director of the new Planet Of The Apes movie.
Peter Greenaway talks about his latest film about the 16th Century Dutch painter Goltzius and we take a journey to the National Maritime Museum Maxine Peake discusses her stage debut as a playwright with the premiere of Beryl at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and we hear from writer Fredrik Backman whose debut novel about a Swedish Victor Meldrew has become a word-of-mouth bestseller. John Wilson discusses the value of museums, in today's social and economic climate with some leading museum directors and also to actor Gina McKee about starring in Richard III.
The Pet Shop Boys, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe talk about their world premiere at the BBC Proms. Caitlin Moran discusses her debut novel, How to Make a Girl and Maureen Lipman and Harry Shearer talk about their West End transfer of of Daytona. Tony Hatch takes us on a musical trip from Downtown and beyond. Richard Wilson on one of theatre’s greatest challenges: Samuel Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape”. Actor Mark Ruffalo talks about his latest film Begin Again and we review Monty Python’s first live show in 30 years.
Actress Lesley Manville and director Richard Eyre, bestselling American author James Patterson and a review Scottish Contemporary Art from the past 25 years. The Manic Street Preachers and Metallica talk about playing at Glastonbury this year and Front Row discusses how the art market is being driven by so-called trophy works.
John Wilson talks to one of the great voices of all time, Placido Domingo. Carey Mulligan discusses her return to the stage in David Hare’s Skylight. Pigment is crushed and paint mixed in a new National Gallery exhibition called Making Colour. And artistic interpretations of the battle of Orgreave 30 years on. Samira Ahmed talks to Don Johnson about his new film and Razia Iqbal is joined on stage at the Hay Festival by Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison. Kirsty Lang hears from veteran documentary maker Roger Graef and how cubism and optical art were deployed by the British navy in WW1.
Damien Barr talks to Dolly Parton about her love for Harper Lee and how she sees writing as therapy, Kirsty Lang meets the very irreverent Helena Bonham-Carter and talks to three Syrian authors about culture on the front line. Matthew D’Ancona tries to solve the mystery of how to plot a soap opera and hears Prince Buthelezi’s reminiscences on acting with Stanley Baker and Michael Caine on the set of “Zulu”. He also talks to Anne Washburn about her apocalyptic Simpsons themed play and hears how Antonio Pappano will take on Puccini’s first masterpiece, Manon Lescauts. Finally John Wilson meets artist Marina Abramovic in an empty gallery, to create art.
John Wilson is joined on stage at the Hay Festival by one of the biggest selling crime writers in the world – Lee Child and Cerys Matthews sings one of Dylan Thomas’ poems. In a rehearsal room - ballet star Daria Klimentová warms up for her last dance. Artist Cornelia Parker tells John why she’s curated a black and white zone within the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and he talks to Malian musical superstar Toumani Diabaté and his son Sidiki. Kirsty Lang watches a piece of dance theatre in an outdoor car park. She talks to Terry Gilliam about his latest opera and to Bernard Haitink one of the world’s finest conductors as he marks his 85th Birthday.
John Wilson talks to award winning lyricist, Sir Tim Rice about working with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Elton John. Playwright, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, has written a dark stage comedy about a British Sikh family – she talks to Kirsty Lang. The last paintings of MF Husain go on show in London and Simon Russell Beale talks about Shakespeare’s sonnets; a review of what may be Ken Loach’s final film, Jimmy’s Hall. And Front Row talks to three authors appearing at this year’s Hay Festival – Lee Child, Michael Morpurgo and Juliet Donaldson.
Dawn French gives listeners exclusive access to plans for her new one woman show, 35 years after the first Pretenders album, Chrissie Hynde on her very first solo record and Kathleen Turner on her return to London’s West End. Edmund de Waal gives John Wilson a messy lesson at the potter’s wheel and with the opening of two big Mondrian exhibitions, we discuss the grids and colours of the modern Dutch master. Kirsty Lang talks to Ben Miles about being onstage for a marathon six hours a day and to Bill Viola as St Paul’s Cathedral embraces modern art with a video installation behind the high altar.
John Wilson speaks to singer songwriter Natalie Merchant about her first new album of original material for 13 years and to husband and wife operatic stars Aylin Perez and Stephen Costello on bringing real love to onstage arias. Actor Gary Kemp discusses his latest role - a revival of Lionel Bart's East End musical, Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be. Rachel Johnson and Nicola Beauman consider the legacy of Diary Of A Provincial Lady, the quintessentially English journal of a fictional country wife, first published in 1930. Godzilla is back stamping cities to dust and Kirsty Lang talks to rising star Oscar Issac about his latest film, The Two Faces of January.
Kirsty Lang talks to Michael Nyman, one of Britain's most commercially successful classical composers. Yinka Shonibare on his new work The British Library and some dramatic special effects in a new stage musical based on the story of the Water Babies. Samira Ahmed talks to Irvine Welsh about his new book. Anthony Gormley and Simon Starling on the large shadow cast by Henry Moore on modern sculptors. Robbie Collin reviews Studio Ghibli’s new film The Wind Rises and Razia Iqbal discusses with Fiona Shaw the effort and concentration required for a 100-minute monologue.
John Wilson talks to sculptor Philip King about rewriting the rules of sculpture and to American rock band The Black Keys about their new album, Turn Blue. We meet Joel Dicker, the Swiss author of international bestselling novel The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair. Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, formerly of The Beautiful South reunite and Kirsty Lang talks to Director of Photography, Mandy Walker about the challenges she faced capturing the remote Australian outback on screen in the new film Tracks. Matthew D’ancona talks to writer Jon Ronson about his film Frank which was inspired by Jon’s experiences touring with musician Frank Sidebottom and composer Julian Anderson discusses his new opera Thebans which debuts at the ENO this Saturday.
John Wilson speaks to Damon Albarn about his autobiographical solo album and Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, the co-writers of two of the biggest stage musicals of all time. On the Bard’s birthday Mike Bartlett on creating a future Shakespearian king. Crime writer Sophie Hannah on secrets and lies. How the art is taking off at Heathrow and Kirsty Lang discusses a new unsettling play, Privacy and after a lifetime of composing film scores Michael Nyman on his decision to write no less than 19 symphonies.
John Wilson speaks to actor Martin Freeman about acting in sub-zero temperatures while filming the television version of cult Coen brothers film Fargo and to Scottish pop star Paolo Nutini about his new album. We review Locke, a new film starring Batman star Tom Hardy, set entirely in a car. Author Val McDermid discusses the challenges of re-interpreting Northhanger Abbey for the 21st century and Kirsty Lang talks to one of the world’s greatest classical guitarists Milos Karadaglic and to award winning poet Patience Agbabi on a modern retelling of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
John Wilson talks to Chiwetel Ejiofor on how life has changed since being Oscar nominated, Emma Thompson and Celia Imrie on why big screen roles are hard to come by for older actresses and Ben Watt of Everything But The Girl about his second solo album. Kirsty Lang is surrounded by corsets and conical bras for a Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition. Comedian Rory Bremner talks about the perils of forgetting your lines on stage. Irish folk singer Christy Moore looks back over his musical career and Desmond Shaw-Taylor takes us on a tour around an exhibition at Buckingham Palace.
Ricky Wilson talks about the Kaiser Chief’s new album and what it’s really like being a judge on The Voice. Kate Winslet discusses her latest film, Divergent German author Timur Vermes discusses a best-selling satire depicting Hitler as a present day celebrity after awakening from a 66-year sleep in 2011. John Wilson meets Chris Chibnall, writer of last year’s smash hit Broadchurch who has now written a play about the Worst Ever Wedding. He also reviews new biblical drama Noah, starring Russell Crowe and talks to Richard Ayoade about his second feature film, The Double starring Jesse Eisenberg.
Kirsty Lang talks to Hollywood A-lister Anne Hathaway, Tom Hollander discusses his return to the role as vicar Adam Smallbone in Rev and actress Kristin Davis from Sex And The City about her West End stage debut. In a rare interview American photographer Nan Goldin tells John Wilson how the camera saved her life. Author Emma Donoghue talks about Frog Music, her first novel since being Booker nominated for Room and how Donald Rumsfeld’s most famous maxim inspired an Oscar winning documentary maker.
John Wilson meets Kylie Minogue to discuss her new album and Harry Hill and Sean Foley, creators of the new 'X Factor' musical. He talks to writer John Banville about his new take on Raymond Chandler and to two of the stars of the King of Dance. Sarah Dunant reviews the Veronese exhibition at the National Gallery and Kirsty Lang meets John Morton, creator of Twenty Twelve about his new series W1A.
In Oxford, John views works by Cezanne, Manet, Degas and Van Gogh – part of a great private collection that has left America for the first time. Rock guitarist Jeff Beck on how he joined the Rolling Stones…for two days. Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson goes undercover in Glasgow for her latest film. Award winning writer Alexander McCall Smith discusses his latest novel about an expatriate community in the Cayman Islands. The Duke Of Devonshire takes John on a buggy trip round the Chatsworth estate and author Siri Hustvedt on the line from New York talks about her novel The Blazing World.
Guy Garvey of Elbow talks to John Wilson about writing songs of love and loss. A trio of poets laureate examine the question of national verse. John heads to the British Museum to find out if the Vikings were ruthless raiders or international traders? Larushka Ivan-Zadeh reviews the film The Grand Budapest Hotel. And an album by Johnny Cash, rediscovered by his son John Carter Cash.
Comedian Stewart Lee tells John Wilson why he’s still so grumpy on stage. We review the film adaptation of bestselling novel The Book Thief plus an exhibition of Great War portraits at the National Portrait Gallery. Peter Gabriel revisits his biggest album on stage and screen. Young novelist Helen Oyeyemi talks about myths and fairy tales. Will Gompertz marks the re-opening of the new Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. And why black actors need black playwrights to help them audition for roles.
John Wilson talks to Martin Scorsese and film maker Thelma Schoonmaker about commemorating the work of Michael Powell and Emerik Pressburger. Lynda La Plante reveals her plans for a Prime Suspect prequel. Andrew Graham-Dixon explains why German renaissance art was once deemed too ugly for British galleries and music producer Jon Hopkins talks about his very solitary creative process. Jane Graham reviews the Lego movie and Tom Sutcliffe interviews author Joanne M Harris whose latest novel, The Gospel of Loki, is the first epic adult fantasy book.
John Wilson talks to Barkhad Abdi, the debutante actor who took Tom Hanks hostage in Captain Philips. Author Armistead Maupin tells John why his latest Tale From The City is also his last. Architects Norman Foster and Richard Rogers reunite for a rare interview. More than a year after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Wilko Johnson and his new musical partner Roger Daltrey talk about the album they've recorded together. Larushka Ivan-Zadeh reviews the film The Monuments Men. And John checks in to The Langham Hotel to watch Tennessee Williams plays.
Dame Angela Lansbury on returning to London theatre, Swedish actress Sofia Helin and Danish actor Kim Bodnia from TV show The Bridge; sculptor Richard Deacon on his career and actor Reece Shearsmith discusses his latest post-Gentleman project. Kirsty Lang talks to author Hanif Kureishi about a novel that isn’t about VS Naipaul and to actress Isabella Rossellini about dramatising the sex lives of insects
Kirsty Lang talks to Annie Proulx about the opera of her novel Brokeback Mountain and artist Martin Creed about his retrospective at the Hayward Gallery; and hears from actress Juliet Stevenson about the challenges of acting in the Samuel Beckett play Happy Days; while Mark Lawson talks to Matthew McConaughey about losing 47lbs for his film Dallas Buyers Club and to Ralph Fiennes about directing his film The Invisible Woman. comedians Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker discuss the their series of The Last Leg on Channel 4.
Simon Russell Beale on King Lear and Julie Hesmondhalgh on her controversial exit from Coronation Street; Sir Kenneth Branagh discusses the transition from Shakespeare to directing and playing the baddie in a thriller set in the new Cold War. John Wilson talks to special effects expert Tim Webber about defining Gravity; we count up rather more than three Musketeers and Tasmin Little delivers a Winter Olympics-related musical surprise.
This week - writer Christios Tsiolkas on following his global bestseller The Slap and violinist Maxim Vengerov on the benefits of selective hearing; cellists Julian and Jiaxin Lloyd Webber discuss their new work and director Dominic Dromgoole on working in a new Shakespearean space. Kirsty Lang talks to actor Colin Firth and theatre designer Es Devlin and John Wilson film directors The Coen Brothers and we review The Wolf of Wall Street.
Naomie Harris talks about playing Winnie Mandela and director Steve McQueen discusses his film 12 Years a Slave; Jarvis Cocker also talks film - The Big Melt. Sculptor Tom Price talks about his work at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and author Graeme Simison discusses his best selling book, The Rosie Project and Vince Vaughn's new film the Delivery Man is reviwed.
Martin Freeman on the Hobbit, Mark Gatiss on Coriolanus and Olivia Colman on a great year for acting roles. Andrew Lloyd Webber talks about his musical on Stephen Ward and Paul Hayman talks about ghost writing Sir Alex Ferguson's best selling memoir. And a round up of 2013's best music offerings.
Victoria Wood reveals the Front Row neon sign; Alan Bennett discusses the popularity of The History Boys and Sir Terry Pratchett talks about his 40th Discworld novel. Director MJ Delaney on her first feature film, Powder Room; a new Stieg Larsson short story is published and Front Row's Christmas Jukebox is revealed.
Hilary Mantel on the RSC stage adaptations of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies; the verdict on the film Nebraska; the new set of Coronation Street; Jude Law in Henry V reviewed; Investigative journalist John Pilger; one-woman shows; bestselling autobiographies put to the test.
Russell Brand and reveals what Morrissey said in his dressing room. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson star in a movie about why Mary Poppins almost never flew in movies; screenwriter Paula Milne on recreating the Cold War. Choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh reflects on 25 years of making dancers stretch and sweat. Kirsty Lang explores the enduring fascination with Eric and Ernie and the return of a famous cat-smoking villain
Mark Lawson talks to actress Anjelica Huston, Sally Wainwright, writer of TV drama Last Tango in Halifax, and to the writer and director of the new West End production of Mojo. Film critic Rosie Swash reviews The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mark Eccleston explores surprising and unlikely film sequels. Plus Kirsty Lang talks to Adam Price, director of Danish political drama Borgen, and to illustrator Peter Blake.
American novelist Donna Tartt; actor Forest Whitaker on The Butler; cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a survivor of Auschwitz; Chinese pianist Lang Lang; Bel Mooney reviews the film Don Jon; singer-songwriter and X Factor judge Gary Barlow.
J J Abrams describes his unorthodox new creation – S; Zadie Smith on her new story The Embassy of Cambodia; Kitty Empire gives her verdict on the new albums by Lady Gaga and Lorde; Matthew Macfadyen and Stephen Mangan on playing Jeeves and Wooster; Hermione Lee discusses her biography of writer Penelope Fitzgerald; movie-industry documentary Seduced and Abandoned reviewed; Neil Gaiman on his new Dr Who short story.
Sandra Bullock talks to Mark Lawson about Hollywood finally discovering women; Broadway director and choreographer Susan Stroman discusses the experience of making musicals with both Mel Brooks and Woody Allen; Ross Noble tells Mark about his new TV travel show in which he has no idea where he's going; and Joan Collins discusses her memoir, husbands and not giving away her age. Plus John Wilson talks to singer-songwriter Graham Nash and Kirsty Lang meets Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.
Dame Judi Dench on why laughing makes it easier to play tragedy and novelist Susan Hill on taking a break from crime fiction. In Derry-Londonderry (UK City of Culture 2013) award-winning novelist Jennifer Johnston reflects on fictionalising the Troubles...and the Turner Prize for Modern Art – leaving England for the first time. Kirsty Lang meets the band Earth Wind and Fire and John Wilson talks to film-maker Clio Barnard.
Mark Lawson talks to Sir David Jason about balancing privacy with autobiography; to the new artistic director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris, on learning to speak up for UK drama; to songwriter Tori Amos and playwright Samuel Adamson about their new musical fairytale for the 21st century; and he follows a Frank Auerbach picture into a Luton primary school; while Kirsty Lang meets writer Penelope Lively; and John Wilson talks to Sir Paul McCartney about finding new things to do at 71.
Tom Hanks on his latest role as an American captain taken hostage at sea. Jennifer Saunders explains why she lied to Goldie Hawn. Sir John Eliot Gardiner on the 50 of conducting that informed his new book about Johann Sebastian Bach and John Wilson meets artist Frank Auerbach and musician Anoushka Shankar
David Tennant and Gregory Doran on Richard II; Actress Saoirse Ronan; rapper Dizzee Rascal; Australian author Hannah Kent; Adil Ray on his TV persona Citizen Khan; documentary-maker Lucy Walker.
This week actor Hugh Jackman on his new film Prisoners and pianist Alfred Brendel discusses his new career as a performance poet in collaboration with his cello-playing son. Performer Johnny Vegas - aka Michael Pennington - on how he was almost destroyed by his stage-name. Kirsty Lang talks to War Horse author Michael Morpurgo to mark his 70th birthday and John Wilson launches the BBC Short Story Competition - with short-listed author Sarah Hall - and meets American artist Richard Serra.
Sir Derek Jacobi on overcoming stage-fright; Naomi Watts defends her decision to portray Princess Diana; Sting talks to John Wilson about his plans for a Broadway musical; David Walliams and Sheridan Smith hope to attract younger theatre-goers to A Midsummer Night's Dream; while Much Ado About Nothing for an older generation is discussed by Mark Rylance with Kirsty Lang.
Comedian Lee Evans; the Man Booker Prize shortlist; Nicky Wire from Manic Street Preachers; Cillian Murphy on TV drama Peaky Blinders; the final book in Patrick Leigh Fermor's travel trilogy; Dennis Kelly who wrote the book for the hit musical Matilda and created the cult Channel 4 series Utopia.
Actress Tamsin Greig; Stephen Fry on Verdi and Wagner; Edna O'Brien, Colm Toibin, Michael Longley and Hermione Lee pay tribute to Seamus Heaney; reggae group UB40; comedians Nadia Kamil and Mary Bourke on how to make feminism funny.
Mark Lawson talks to Marin Alsop, the first woman to conduct the Last Night of the Proms; writers Ruth Rendell and Jeanette Winterson discuss their friendship at the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival; Philip French puts away his pen after being The Observer's film critic for 50 years; Scottish playwright and artist John Byrne talks about his new mural for the King's Theatre in Edinburgh; film director Nic Roeg looks back at his career, sex scenes and more in the light of his newly-published memoir; historian Simon Schama discusses the challenge of bringing his latest project The Story of the Jews to television; and Scottish band Franz Ferdinand are back with a new album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action.
Dramatist Tom Stoppard on why he has adapted a famous rock album for radio; novelist Charlaine Harris on getting it in the neck from readers for ending her True Blood vampire series; Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad and comedians Jonny Sweet and Simon Bird talk about their new World War I sit-com. Novelist Nadifa Mohamed explores in fiction the Somalian childhood she never had and John Wilson meets producer-musician Naughty Bo and closes down the Cultural Exchange with Armando Iannucci.
Crime writer Ruth Rendell talks to Mark Lawson about her distinguished career; from the Edinburgh Festival comedian Reginald D Hunter explains how to upset the English and writer-performer Sarah Louise Young performs the story of Dame Julie Andrews; poet John Agard discusses the importance of learning verse by heart with Mark; and John Wilson meets The Clash and actor-rapper Riz Ahmed and examines the work of Edinburgh born artist Peter Doig.
Booker Prize-winning Irish author Roddy Doyle discusses why he decided to resurrect one of his earliest characters - Jimmy Rabbitte - who first appeared in The Commitments 25 years ago. Nick Payne on his new play, The Same Deep Water As Me, which focuses on the murky world of personal injury claims. Charlotte Mendelson discusses her latest novel, Almost English. Novelist Naomi Alderman explores the art of translating fiction. Writer Louis de Bernières discusses his first volume of poetry, Imagining Alexandria. Singer-songwriter Cerys Matthews reveals her choice for Cultural Exchange. As the book Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers reaches its 50th anniversary, Kirsty visits the illustrator and author John Burningham.
Screenwriter Tony Grisoni discusses his latest TV drama, Southcliffe. Violinist Nicola Benedetti nominates a favourite concerto for Cultural Exchange. Comedian Milton Jones discusses life on the road and how to write one-liners. Catherine O'Flynn on her new novel, Mr Lynch's Holiday, which focuses on British ex-pats in Spain. John Wilson tours the new £190million Birmingham Library. Acapella group Naturally 7 sing live in the Front Row studio. Ukrainian novelist Andrey Kurkov discusses his new book, The Gardener from Ochakov.
Steve Coogan on Alan Partridge laying siege to the big-screen, writer Denise Mina discusses problems with plotting and Kevin McNally reflects on his high employment rate as an actor. Boris Johnson erects a sculpture with a possibly problematic name; Sir Peter Bazalgette on cutting Arts Council grants and John Wilson explores the art of Ian Dury and meets novelist Philipp Meyer and trumpeter Alison Balsom.
Clive James on his new translation of Dante's The Divine Comedy; Terence Conran on his friend Eduardo Paolozzi and Marsha Norman on adapating The Colour Purple for the stage. We hear Paula Milne's Cultural Exchange and actress Cush Jumbo talks about playing Josephine Baker. The comedy trio Pappy's discuss their new TV series Badults and architect Richard Rogers looks back on his career.
From the Manchester International Festival: a review of Kenneth Branagh's Macbeth and an interview with the xx. Josie Rourke and Matt Charman on the play Deep Blue and Adam Curtis from Massive Attack on how they launched this year's festival. Composer Murray Gold discusses his music for Doctor Who and author Rachel Joyce talks about her new book, Perfect. John Wilson interviews ballet star Sergei Polunin and comedian David Baddiel on his return to stand-up.
Elton John reflects on his forthcoming album The Diving Board. African Art at the Tate Modern. Actress Anna Chancellor discusses her role in Private Lives. The Amy Winehouse exhibition at the Jewish Museum reviewed. Alex Gibney on The Story of Wikileaks. Henning Mankell and Michael Simkins talk to Mark Lawson.
Rachel Cooke reviews Tate Britain's exhibition Lowry and the Painting of Modern Life; Writer Jonathan Dee discusses his latest work, A Thousand Pardons; Disco legend Giorgio Moroder in a rare interview, in which he reflects on his rise to fame and his recent comeback with Daft Punk; the pianist Mitsuko Uchida selects Piero della Francesca's Resurrection for Cultural Exchange; Peter Bowker and Patrick Spence reflect on the best and the worst notes screenwriters receive; as George Osborne announced a 7% cut in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport's budget, Janet Street-Porter, Norman Lebrecht and Richard Mantle suggest cost-saving solutions; Actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste nominates Miles Davis's album Kind of Blue for Cultural Exchange.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe discusses his newest stage role and his career choices post-Harry Potter. Playwright Conor McPherson talks to Mark Lawson about the experiences that have informed his writing. Lenny Henry discusses his return to the stage to star in the Pulitzer prize-winning play Fences by American playwright August Wilson. Director Tina Gharavi on her debut film I Am Nasrine, which follows a teenage refugee from Iran. Neil Hannon and musician Thomas Walsh discuss their second cricket-inspired album, Sticky Wickets. Artist Rachel Whiteread makes her selection for the Cultural Exchange - a painting by Bridget Riley, which she kept as a postcard. David Edgar's new play If Only imagines what will happen to the coalition in 2014 - he tells Mark Lawson what will happen to his play if life mirrors art.
Author and illustrator Judith Kerr discusses her life and her books, in the week that she turns 90; Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón discusses his love of Verdi's music, 200 years after the composer's birth; best-selling crime writer Peter James discusses his latest book Dead Man's Time, the ninth novel in the Roy Grace Series; singer-songwriter Laura Marling reflects on her new album, Once I was an Eagle, and performs in the Front Row studio; novelist Mark Haddon discusses the curiosity of the Uffington White Horse for Front Row's Cultural Exchange; artist Cornelia Parker reflects on her latest exhibition, and a new book on her work.
Comedy performer Miranda Hart reflects on her career and social mishaps; Mark Lawson speaks to A M Homes, the winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction; composer Philip Glass discusses his latest opera, The Perfect American; John Wilson reports on the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year; actress Anne-Marie Duff; Kirsty Lang examines the legacy of anti-modernist artist Sir Alfred Munnings.
Choreographer Akram Khan; artist Jeremy Deller on his new work for the Venice Biennale; dramatist Lucy Kirkwood; Cathy Come Home and This Life producer Tony Garnett; Novelist Audrey Niffenegger; Paul Morley on his new book about the north.
Richard Branson reflects on the 40th anniversary of Mike Oldfield's album Tubular Bells. Dan Brown talks about his latest thriller Inferno and Kite Runner author Khaled Hosseini on his new novel, And the Mountains Echoed.
Andrew Lloyd Webber looks at the restoration of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Writer Allan Cubitt reveals the advantages of setting his new TV drama in Belfast. Ken Bruce, Kirsty Wark and Richard Bacon discuss the art of playing themselves. Front Row's Jukebox Jury deliver their verdicts on this year's Eurovision Song Contest contenders. And John Wilson meets the photographer Rankin and the musician Karl Hyde from Underworld.
Agnetha Fältskog talks about her years with ABBA and her new solo career; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie nominates Tutu, by painter Ben Enwonwu, for Cultural Exchange; soprano Angela Gheorghiu reflects on her work and her controversial reputation; actor Kwame-Kwei Armah discusses his new role as artistic director of Center Stage theatre in Baltimore; James Hamilton-Paterson discusses his new book, set during the height of the Cold War.
TV producer Tony Garnett; Zoe Wanamaker; The Eagles; artist Ellen Gallagher; Lucy Moore on dancer Nijinsky; and actor Geoffrey Rush.
Front Row launches the Cultural Exchange project: Tracey Emin discusses her favourite painting - Vermeer's Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid. Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit, invites Mark Lawson to his new ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Hermione Lee assesses the new National Theatre production of Othello. Baroness Virginia Bottomley and Sir Peter Bottomley review The Politician's Husband. Photographer René Burri reflects on some of his most iconic images taken through the years. Ian Gillan and Ian Paice, of the band Deep Purple, discuss their new album Now What?!
Director Oliver Stone discusses his latest TV documentary series. The Untold History of the United States; Shahidha Bari reviews the Tate Modern's major exhibition of work by Saloua Raouda Choucair; US Country and Western singer Kacey Musgraves discusses the inspirations for her music; Howard Brenton on his new play about the imprisonment of Ai Weiwei; David Baldacci on the art of writing crime thrillers; William McIlvanney discusses his new Laidlaw trilogy of novels.
The re-opening of The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam; new ballet boss Tamara Rojo; musician James Blake on his new album; Brazilian photographer Sebastio Salgado; writer Maya Angelou on her life and work; Michael Dobbs and Haydn Gwynne on portraying Margaret Thatcher
A rare interview with writer Anne Tyler; Kirsty Lang reports on how British films aim to reach new audiences in China; Julian Barnes discusses his new book; actress Olga Kurylenko; playwright Richard Bean; Greg Bellow on his father Saul.
John Logan on Skyfall and Peter and Alice; Madness frontman Suggs; Choreographer Gillian Lynne; singer Michael Bolton; film-maker Penny Woolcock; Comedian Lee Mack.
Alan Bennett on his recent work for the stage; TV writer and producer Kay Mellor; violinist Nigel Kennedy; re-working Scandinavian dramas; conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel; Pompeii at the British Museum; Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer; Edmund de Waal; musicians take on the Seven Deadly Sins and Hilary Mantel.
Portraying the PM on stage; artist Yinka Shonibare: the return of Lara Croft; actor Mark Strong; author Tash Aw; artist Chuck Close and George Benjamin and Martin Crimp on their opera Written on Skin.
Sue Perkins on a varied TV plate from The Great British Bake-Off to a homophobic lesbian vet in a new sit-com; Brett Anderson on getting Mercury-winning band Suede back together after a decade’s gap and writer Edith Pearlman on being acclaimed – at the age of 76 - as a lost giant of American short fiction. John Wilson talks to singer Robbie Wlliams and actress Claire Foy. Director Marc Isaacs discusses the stretch of the A5 which inspired his documentary The Road: A Story Of Life And Death.
Nicole Kidman on horror roles; footballer Walter Tull's life on stage; African musicians Salif Keita and Rokia Traore; Shameless producer Paul Abbott; author Margaret Forster and the Jacksons.
BAFTA award winner Ben Affleck discusses his film Argo; Singer Tracey Thorne discusses her autobigraphy and theatre director Marianne Elliott on why she's not quite ready to run the National Theatre. Actor David Oyelowo on working with Nicole Kidman and playwright Mark Ravenhill on writing and long distance running. And Daniel Kleinman, the man who gives the credit to James Bond
Harry Hill on his return to standup and Antony Sher on his latest acting role at the National Theatre. Terry Jones and his son Bill talk about making a Monty Python film and singer Jake Bugg on learning the guitar. French cinema's forgotten man, Rene Clement; actor Chiwetel Ejiofor on his latest role and a review Ice Age artefacts.
Rowan Atkinson on returning to the stage; Wilko Johnson on facing death; Light Show at the Hayward Gallery reviewed; Benjamin Britten's latest biographer; Kristin Scott Thomas and Lia Williams on performing Pinter; opera singer Lesley Garrett.
Jessica Chastain talks about her role in Zero Dark Thirty and Denzel Washington on his new film, Flight. 2012 Costa nominees Hilary Mantel and Bryan & Mary Talbot on being shortlisted; Alexei Sayle discusses his return to standup and Ruthie Henshall on a career on stage.
John Sessions at 60; playwright Polly Stenham; cellist Matthew Barley; Jonathan Lynn, writer of Yes, Prime Minister; Kathleen Jamie winner of the 2012 Costa Poetry award; actor Brian Cox.
Actor and comedian Ben Miller; Oscar nominations for 2013; Haim, the band of sisters who have topped the BBC Sound of 2013 list; writer Sally Gardner; Brit winner Tom Odell; the creators of TV series Great Night Out, Mark Bussell and Justin Sbresni.
Front Row Quiz 2012; Costa Award category winners announced; actor Andy Serkis on the impact of technology in films; comedian Jack Whitehall and novelist Stuart Neville.
Toby Jones talks about playing Hitchcock and Victoria Wood on her new TV drama,Loving Miss Hatto. Salman Rushdie discusses writing the screenplay for his own novel, Midnight's Children and director David O. Russell talks about his acclaimed movie, Silver Linings Playbook. Singer Katy Carr on the importance of her Polish heritage and Simon Amstell on the benefits of therapy. And the annual round up of Christmas singles
Paul Auster on why he never reads reviews and Martin Freeman on his role in The Hobbit. Danny Boyle discusses the Olympic Opening Ceremony and Paul Thomas Anderson on his film The Master and playwright Martin Crimp talks about his new play at the Royal Court Theatre
award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett moves to TV for a drama and novelist Ali Smith on giving lectures at Oxford and classic composer John Rutter on his non seasonal Christmas release. Writer Robert Greene on how he has inspired rappers, the opening of the Charles Dickens Museum and 2012 Turner Prize winner, Elizabeth Price.
Novelist Roddy Doyle; the creators of TV shows Peep Show and Fresh Meat, Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong; Oliver Sacks on his new book Hallucinations; singing sisters The Staves; Bryan Ferry on making a jazz album of instrumental versions of his hits; Producer and musician Brian Eno.
Sir Derek Jacobi on his return to television and choreographer Matthew Bourne on his new production of Sleeping Beauty. The Mousetrap celebrates its 60th birthday and crime writer Denise Mina discusses her graphic novel of Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. John Wilson talks to Neil Diamond and Kirsty Lang talks to Jimmy Page
Illustrator Quentin Blake; Danny Boyle, Nick Hytner and Gemma Bodinetz on regional theatre funding cuts; Lionel Shiver reviews A Bigger Splash at Tate Modern and Shahidha Bari reviews Light from the Middle East at the V&A The War of the Worlds composer Jeff Wayne; Dramatist Anya Reiss and actor Matthew Kelly on Chekhov's The Seagull; Comedian and author Ben Elton.
Ben Thompson on letters from the Mary Whitehouse archive; Film-maker Michael Haneke; The Rolling Stones; the art of crying on stage; playwright Lucy Kirkwood; Ukrainian writer Andrey Kurkov.
Playwright Jez Butterworth; composer Thomas Ades; Paper art; Aerosmith; Nobel prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk; actor John Goodman and American author Thomas Wolfe.
Booker prize-winning author Thomas Keneally; Downton actor Dan Stevens on Broadway; poet Sharon Olds; Skyfall director Sam Mendes; cartoonists Posy Simmonds and Ralph Steadman.
Rod Stewart talks about his life in rock and roll; Graham Norton on his new chat show and David Walliams and Peter Hook reflect on their careers in entertainment and music respectively. The Wilson Twins discuss their photographic work around the abandoned Chernobyl Nuclear reactor
Peep Show's David Mitchell; playwright Roy Williams; musician Pete Townshend; Norwegian crime-writer Jo Nesbo; Matt Thorne on his biography of Prince; actress Anne-Marie Duff.
Playwright Howard Barker talks about his debut at the National Theatre after 40 years and German writer, Bernard Schlink on his new book, Summer Lies. Northern Broadsides theatre company celebrates 20 years in the business and Nicholas Hytner talks about the importance of regional theatre. John Wilson meets Mumford & Sons to discuss their eagerly awaiting third album and Kirsty Lang on the new season of The Thick of It.
J K Rowling talks about her new novel; Matt Bellamy and Dom Howard from Muse; three playwrights on how they have adapted Shakespeare, Moliere and Ibsen to an Indian setting; actress Ashley Jensen; reporter Ryszard Kapuscinski discussed.
Film directors Oliver Stone and Ol Parker talk about their new movies. Actor Rupert Everett on his new book, film and play and comedian Greg Davies on starring in two new sitcoms. Caryl Churchill's new play reviwed and Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles on starring in Jesus Christ Superstar. And musician John Cale talks about The Velvet Underground and after.
Las Vegas band The Killers; Thomas Heatherwick on his Olympic cauldron; Talking Heads front-man David Byrne; Booker Prize shortlist; a review of Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones in Hope Springs; Mercury Music Prize contenders discussed.
Ballerina Darcey Bussell reflects on her career; tenor Alfie Boe; actress Hermione Norris; singer Donny Osmond; actor Damian Lewis; refurbishment at the Bristol Old Vic and novelist Howard Jacobson.
Crime-writer Anne Cleves; Adrian Lester takes questions from young actors; John Wilson talks to soul survivor Bobby Womack; novelist Joyce Carol Oates; Mark Lawson chairs a debate on whether e-books are a threat or a new chance for publishers.
John Wilson talks to Booker T, and meets members of the Author's Cricket team at Lords. Writer James Meek discusses his latest novel The Heart Broke In. Mark Lawson talks to Sir Tom Stoppard about Parade's End and Anna Karenina and meets Ian McEwan at the Edinburgh Book Festival to discuss his new novel, Sweet Tooth. Kirsty Lang talks to Philippa Gregory about her latest book, The Kingmaker's Daughter.
Actor Clive Owen; rock star Alice Cooper; singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette; violinist Nicola Benedetti; author Jeanette Winterson on witch trials; highlights from the Edinburgh Festival fringe.
TV Comedian Alan Davies returns to stand-up – a theatrical experiment to find out how much audiences value culture. John Wilson talks to Tony Gilroy – creator the Bourne films and remembers film composer Marvin Hamlisch who composed scores for The Sting and The Way We Were
Mark Thomas on an operatic tribute to his father and Booker Prize winning author James Kelman discusses his new novel. Marilyn Monroe is remembered in a new exhibition and director Lynn Alleway discusses her experiences of making a documentary about the Amish in America
Writer Colin Dexter; comedian Ruby Wax; Terry Jones and Anne Dudley on turning The Owl and the Pussycat into an opera; a review of David Starkey on the Churchills; the latest commission for Tate Modern's Turbine Hall; a review of Mark Rylance in Richard III; director Fernando Meirelles.
Rapper Ice-T talks about his film, Something for Nothing: The Art of Rap and poet Julia Copus discusses her new collection of poetry; the ballerina Monica Mason talks about her career at the Royal Ballet. Actors Hattie Morahan and Domonic Rowan on hissing and booing in the theare. Children's author Eoin Colfer discusses the infamous Artemis Fowl. And director Asif Kapadia on his film Odyssey which is a portrait of London since it won its bid to host the Olympic Games
Poet James Fenton; John Morton, creator of the TV comedy Twenty Twelve; Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis; author Nicola Barker; William Fiennes on Joseph Mitchell; crime writer Andrea Camilleri.
Bryn Terfel; Richard Wilson’s Italian Job recreation; novelist Monique Roffey; soul singer Bobby Womack; Nick Hewer moves from The Apprentice to agriculture; new scores for Hitchcock’s silent films and keeping on track with Chariots of Fire.
Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter on writing together; classical guitarist Milos Karadaglic; playwright Joe Penhall; the new Edvard Munch exhibition reviewed; singer Macy Gray; TV writer Jed Mercurio; Simon Armitage on The Poetry Parnassus.
Director Sam Mendes on TV Shakespeare; Ed Stoppard on wartime codebreaker Alan Turing; Prunella Scales on turning 80; the British Paraorchestra; actor Adrian Lester takes questions from would-be actors and author Helene Hegelmann on her prizewinning novel Axolotl Roadkill.
Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young; Janet Suzman and Alan Howard on the art of acting; author Jon McGregor, winner of the lucrative International Impac Dublin Literary Award; and artist Rachel Whiteread.
Harry Belafonte talks about his music and his work as a civil activist. Hilary Mantel on her new book, Bring up the Bodies; Richard Ford discusses his latest book, Canada and rapper Professor Green on life in the limelight. And an appreciation of Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt.
Writers John Irving and Michael Morpurgo talk about their new novels. Singer and songwriter Rumer discusses her new album. The rapper Plan B aka Ben Drew talks about his feature film debut and the artist Tracey Emin discusses her exhibition of new works at the Turner Contemporary in Margate. And Singer Patti Smith reveals what inspired the songs on her new album Banga
Rolf Harris on his art; novelist Joanne Harris; John Simm talks about his return to the stage; Game of Thrones author George RR Martin; actors on how to convincingly play drunk and writers of high-profile TV series discuss how to write a final episode.
Danny De Vito discusses his comedy double-act with Richard Griffiths; Sacha Baron Cohen's new film The Dictator is reviewed. Writers Paul Abbott and Sean Conway discuss their new TV series Hit & Miss. John Wilson meets singer Kevin Rowland and reviews ball-gowns at the V&A and Kirsty Lang goes down to the Brighton Festival and up a towering Olympic art-work.
Hilary Mantel on her new novel Bringing Up the Bodies; director Tim Burton; pianist Mitsuko Uchida; Damon Albarn in his studio; actress Maxine Peake; Trainspotting screenwriter and playwright John Hodge & comedian and actress Isy Suttie.
Mark Haddon on new novel The Red House; violinist Maxim Vengerov; Leonardo Da Vinci's anatomical drawings; British actress Tracie Bennett plays Judy Garland on Broadway; actor Jason Isaacs and the South Sudan Theatre Company.
Actress Barbara Windsor reflects on her career; Michael Frayn discusses his new novel Skios and Playwright Mark Ravenhill reads his new sonnet commissioned to mark Shakespeare’s birthday; playwright Enda Walsh and actor Cillian Murphy talk about Misterman; The Brodsky Quartet celebrate their 40th birthday this year and Harry Shearer on Nixon.
Lyricist Tim Rice, therapist and TV personality Pamela Stephenson, actor David Suchet, dancer Tamara Rojo, writer Irvine Welsh on his Trainspotting prequel and journalist Stanley Booth on touring with the Rolling Stones.
John Wilson talks to comedian Dara O Briain about his new mathematical TV series and to Whit Stillman about his new film, Damsels in Distress. Mark Lawson talks to Clive James about his new collection of poems and reports on how the life of Anne Frank has inspired a range of new writing. He also talks to West End theatre producers about the economimcs of putting on a show
Damien Hirst at the Tate Modern; Michael Grade on broadcasting; TV series Undateables; rapper Labrinth; Graham Coxon on Blur's Olympic gig in August author Tom Holland and Thomas Campbell, British director of the Metropolitan Museum.
Best selling author Jodi Picoult on her latest book and Brendan O'Carroll discusses his hit creation, TV show, Mrs Brown's Boys. Mark Lawson takes a tour of the newly opened 'The Harry Potter Experience' and talks to conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner. John Wilson meets singer and songwriter Dr John and talks to the Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki about his work with Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood
Imelda Staunton & Michael Ball talk about starring in Stephen Sondheim's Sweeny Todd; Neil Cross on creating the character Luther and Russell Banks on his more controversial creation in The Lost Memory of Skin. Singer Esperanza Spalding and John Wilson asks are looks increasingly important in the music biz?
The new Jerwood Gallery in Hastings; author Tobias Jones; Joan Miró's grandsons on his sculptures; Ken Russell's The Devils on DVD; Irving Berlin's three daughters; tenor Noah Stewart; Kirsty Lang reports on art for healthcare in New York.
Oscar-winning film-maker Andrew Stanton; Andrew Carwood on performing music by the Elizabethan composer William Byrd; Therapy in fiction, film and TV drama; director Michael Winterbottom; Andrew Lloyd Webber on Love Never Dies; Gilbert and George.
Playwright Errol John re-assessed; comedian Sarah Millican; Caitlin Moran and Antonia Fraser on recording audio versions of their books; author Shalom Auslander; screenwriter Paula Milne on new TV show White Heat; Naomi Alderman focuses on video games.
Including interviews with actress Olivia Colman and writers Peter Ackroyd, Sue Townsend and Charlotte Keatley. Also John Wilson explores why so many of this year's BRIT nominees take literature as their inspiration and we examine why there is no UK e-book chart.
Daniel Radcliffe on life after Harry Potter; AS Byatt on Picasso; tenor Vittorio Grigolo; Paul McCartney; Mad Men's Jon Hamm and new director at the Donmar Warehouse Josie Rourke.
Stephen Daldry discusses his latest film, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close; Beth & Emma Kilcoyne on writing the second series of Roger & Val Have Just Got In. Syrian poet Adonis talks about his work and theatre producers Howard Panter & Rosemary Squire discuss how they run 36 venues in the UK. We celebrate the centenary of the neglected composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and John Wilson talks to singer Don McLean about American Pie and to Julie Totman who trains dogs to become Hollywood stars
Anne Rice on her new werewolf novel; why Heygate and Aylesbury estates have banned film-makers; the enduring appeal of The Singing Detective; Australian author Kate Grenville; Ashley Walters on acting after prison; mezzo-soprano Alice Coote.
Kenneth Branagh dicusses his Oscar nomination and Edmund White talks about his new book. Novelist Andrew Miller on winning the 2011 Costa Book Prize and poet Paul Farley reviews a film on rhyming couplets. Film maker Norma Percy discusses the story of Vladimir Putin’s secretive Russia. And a review of the exhibition Hajj: A Journey to Islam.
Mark Lawson talks to screen writer Abi Morgan and to Leonard Cohen about his new album. The Carolina Chocolate Drops discuss their own brand of music and John Wilson talks to rising soul star Michael Kiwanuka and to writer Heidi Thomas about her new series, Call The Midwife. William Boyd reviews David Hockney at the Royal Academy and Ian Rankin and Frances Fyfield discuss their first novels.
This week's highlights - Stephen Spielberg on War Horse, singer-songwriter Emile Sande on her new album, two artists discuss painting Tony Blair & Antony Gormley & Hofesh Schecter talk about their dance piece & Anna Meredith on ceating music from clapping hands
Michael Fassbender on shooting 6 films in 20 months, Tom Hooper on following the success of The King's Speech, Julian Lloyd Webber and Tasmin Little on Delius, Tony Marchant on Public Enemies and a report on the hidden gems that can emerge from record company vaults.
Jennifer Saunders on the return of Absolutely Fabulous, Michelle Yeogh on playing Aung San Suu Kyi, Terry Jones on self publishing and Adele's producer, Paul Epworth and a Front Row neon artwork
Sir David Jason; Meryl Streep on the Iron Lady; director David Fincher on his version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo; historian Simon Schama selects his pick of works from the Government Art Collection; and Front Row's choice of the season's most tolerable songs.
Annie Lennox; Joanna Trollope and Tracy Chevalier invent biographies for unidentified paintings at the National Gallery; comedian John Cleese; art critic Brian Sewell; songwriter Carole King; and musical instruments made from scrap.
Comedian Ricky Gervais on Life's Too Short; actor Rob Brydon; Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz; Shakespeare scholar Eric Rasmussen on tracking down Shakespeare's First Folios; and interviews with all seven short-listed authors for the winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2011.
Kate Bush discusses her new album and Sir Bruce Forsyth celebrates 70 years in showbusiness. Tim Minchin talks about writing his hit musical Matilda which has opened in the West End and Gillian Slovo discusses her new play which addresses the London riots. John Craven on forty years in broadcasting and we hear a review of My Week with Marilyn
Neil La Bute on his latest play, Terence Conran reflects on his retrospective at the Design Museum, Simon Keenleyside offers notes on his career and America Ferrera on life after Ugly Betty
REM discuss their feelings about the end of the band, Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja on how wine played a part in his early singing career and the verdict on Michael Sheen on stage as Hamlet. Plus Jeffrey Eugenides, author of The Virgin Suicides and Middlesex, discusses his third novel, published after a gap of 9 years, Musician Nile Rodgers recalls how being turned away from a club inspired a number one hit, and Lou Reed gives his no-holds-barred assessment of the BBC.
PD James discusses her mystery sequel to Pride and Prejudice and Anthony Horowitz his continuation of Sherlock Holmes. Plus Booker Prize-listed author Emma Donoghue on retracing her literary footsteps, an analysis of what David Bowie did with his voice, what classical singers do without one, and playwright David Edgar on how an ecclesiastical drama set 400 years ago has been converted into topicality by St Paul’s.
Jeanette Winterson on fact and fiction in her new memoir, David Attenborough on his new series Frozen Planet; and Brian Wilson and Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys reflect on their 'lost' album Smile.
Thandie Newton in her first stage role; Romola Garai on National Portrait Gallery exhibition The First Actresses; author Terry Pratchett; producer Cameron Mackintosh; director Lynne Ramsay on We Need To Talk About Kevin and musician Peter Gabriel.
Noel Gallagher goes solo; photographer Don McCullin; Morgan Spurlock's Greatest Movie Ever Sold; Steve Coogan on Alan Partridge's memoirs; actor Paddy Considine and Nicky Wire from Manic Street Preachers.
Kenneth Branagh reflects on his career and remaining ambitions, Carol Ann Duffy on why she's expecting a parcel from David Beckham and Rowan Atkinson on the latest Johnny English film.
Welcome to this new BBC podcast. If you subscribe to the podcast feed, you should receive the first episode of this series automatically within the next seven days. To find other podcasts from the BBC, visit www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts.