PODCAST · society
Front Row: Archive 2014
by BBC Radio 4
Magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music.
Episodes
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People of the Year - Part Two
In the second programme celebrating the arts highlights from 2014, John Wilson hears from Benedict Cumberbatch, Timothy Spall, Keira Knightley and Eddie Redmayne as they discuss the challenges of playing real life figures in film. Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, Iggy Pop and Emma Thompson talk about the...
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People of the Year 2014 - Part 1
John Wilson talks to the people who have had exceptional years in the worlds of the arts, culture and entertainment in 2014, in the first of two special programmes. Carey Mulligan discusses making her west end debut in Skylight, and the thrill of taking to the stage after her many film roles....
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The rise and rise of Event Cinema
Kirsty Lang investigates the flourishing phenomenon of so-called event cinema. Plays, musicals and operas in major cities have become available throughout the country on the big - and sometimes small - screen in local cinemas. Eric Felner, the producer of Billy Elliot the Musical tells of his...
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The Art of Book Cover Design
John Wilson explores the art of book cover design and meets artist Suzanne Dean, who has been responsible for more Booker-winning covers than any other designer. Writers Ian McEwan, Tom McCarthy and Audrey Niffenegger discuss the art that represents their words and Telegraph books editor Gaby…
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Sir Alan Ayckbourn
In conversation with Kirsty Lang, Sir Alan Ayckbourn discusses his long and prolific career that has seen him, at the age of 75, premiere his 78th play - Roundelay. Sir Alan is one of this country's most celebrated playwrights. His ability to write and stage his tales of British middle-class...
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John Kander on Cabaret, The Scottsboro Boys and Chicago
Kirsty Lang talks to John Kander, composer of Cabaret, New York New York and Chicago and one half of Broadway partnership Kander and Ebb. 87 year old John Kander discusses The Scottsboro Boys, his final work with lyricist Fred Ebb, which is currently a hit in London's West End. How he and Ebb...
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Unbroken, Young Fathers, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Miranda Richardson
Unbroken is Angelina Jolie's second film as director. Starring British actor Jack O'Connell it tells the story of US Olympian Louis Zamperini who was captured during WW2 and sent to a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Mark Eccleston reviews. Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers discuss the origins of...
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Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones; Renee Fleming; Billie Whitelaw remembered
Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones talk to John Wilson about their new film The Theory of Everything about the physicist Stephen Hawking; soprano Renée Fleming on her new album Christmas in New York; Billie Whitelaw remembered by former theatre critic Benedict Nightingale; and Adam Smith considers...
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Miranda Hart, John Rutter, Seamus Heaney
Miranda Hart tells Razia Iqbal about the emotional filming of the final episodes of her sitcom Miranda. The latest instalment of the Night of the Museum franchise, starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, is set in the British Museum. But how do you film riotous action sequences in one of the…
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Esio Trot, Robert Olen Butler, The Thompson Family, The Interview controversy
Two well-loved children's books have been adapted for television - Roald Dahl's Esio Trot and The Boy in the Dress by comedian and author David Walliams. Children's book editor Julia Eccleshare discusses whether the characters in the novels come to life on the small screen. Razia Iqbal talks to...
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Christoph Waltz, Treasure Island, Mozart in the Jungle, Unread e-Books
Double Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz on working with Tim Burton in Big Eyes, and responds to rumours surrounding his role in the new James Bond film. Kirsty goes backstage at the National Theatre on the set that really is the star of Treasure Island - it's a ship, a pub, a cave and a strange,...
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Ridley Scott's Exodus, Serial, The Shoemaker's Holiday, Annie
Ridley Scott's Moses epic Exodus: Gods and Kings is reviewed by Adam Smith; investigative journalist John Sweeney and Baltimore-based crime novelist Laura Lippman discuss the phenomenon of the 'Serial' podcasts; The Shoemaker's Holiday director Phillip Breen tells Samira Ahmed about his RSC...
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Willy Russell switches on the Front Row neon artwork, Kon-Tiki review, Dementia-friendly theatre
Forty years after his breakthrough play - John, Paul, George, Ringo...and Bert, the celebrated playwright, musician, and novelist Willy Russell reveals the word he has chosen for the new Front Row neon artwork. He joins Kirsty Lang on the roof of the BBC's Salford home to turn it on. A review of...
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Paul McCartney, The Merchant of Venice, Frames at the National Gallery
Sir Paul McCartney tells John Wilson about creating a song for the video game Destiny and missing the days of vinyl. Peter Schade, Head of Framing at the National Gallery, talks about the gallery's first ever campaign to raise money to buy a frame. It's one he's found for Titian's An Allegory of...
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Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn on Cats; Churchill's paintings; Jeff Kinney; Dolls' houses
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn discuss bringing their musical Cats back to London's West End. Jessie Burton, award-winning author of The Miniaturist, and curator Alice Sage discuss the appeal of dolls' houses as a new exhibition Small Stories: At Home in a Dolls' House opens at The Museum of...
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Marco Polo; Behind the scenes at Nutcracker; Manakamana; The Christmas Truce in art
Historian Tom Holland delivers his verdict on a new TV drama series charting the life of adventurer Marco Polo. As English National Ballet prepares to stage its Christmas stalwart, Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, Samira Ahmed visits the company's warehouse in Kent to meet the team behind the...
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Christopher Jefferies Drama, Golden Age of Panto, Burrell Collection, Ghostwriting
With Kirsty Lang. Roger Michell talks about his new ITV drama, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, about the retired teacher attacked by the press after being falsely suspected of killing Joanna Yeates in 2010. As teenage 'vlogging' sensation, Zoella, becomes embroiled in a row over hiring…
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Sarah Waters; Racial Diversity in the Arts; Mike Scott of the Waterboys; Museums on Film
Author Sarah Waters has followed her gothic novel The Little Stranger with her first play which is also a ghost story that aims to spook audiences. She discusses working with experimental theatre-maker Christopher Green to devise a play in which all is not as it seems. Mike Scott of The Waterboys...
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Jim Broadbent; Young Adult Fiction; Tena Stivicic; Comedy DVDs
Jim Broadbent talks to Kirsty Lang about playing Father Christmas for the third time in his new film Get Santa; Matt Haig and Katherine Woodfine on Young Adult Fiction; Croatian playwright Tena Stivicic discusses her play 3 Winters at the National Theatre; Stephen Armstrong brings us his pick of...
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Harrison Birtwistle; The Grandmaster; Christmas boxset recommendations; Wonder Woman's historical significance
The composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle discusses his music as a season celebrating his 80th birthday begins at London's Southbank Centre. Iain Lee reviews The Grandmaster, the new film from Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai, which traces the life of the Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man, who taught Bruce...
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Peter Jackson; Philip Pullman on William Blake; Memoirs of the Year
Director Peter Jackson and co-writer Philippa Boyens talk to John Wilson about their final instalment of The Hobbit film franchise; the author Philip Pullman reflects on one of his heroes, William Blake, as a new exhibition at the Ashmolean in Oxford explores his formation as an engraver; and...
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Sondheim's Assassins, Albums of the year, Jeremy Deller, Royal Photographic Society
Suzy Klein, Kate Mossman and Greg James make their picks from pop, classical and alternative for a Christmas wishlist of albums. The artist Jeremy Deller discusses curating an exhibition of work by his artistic heroes - William Morris and Andy Warhol. David Benedict reviews the latest revival of...
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St Vincent; Mark Thomas; Evening Standard Theatre Awards
Kirsty Lang reviews the film St Vincent, which stars Bill Murray as a reluctant babysitter. She talks to the winners at last night's Evening Standard Theatre Awards, including Tom Hiddleston and Gillian Anderson. Mark Thomas on his new stand-up show about Surveillance. And Jeff Park chooses his...
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Annie Lennox; James Franco; Philippe Sands; How to Win an Oscar
Annie Lennox talks to Kirsty Lang about her new album Nostalgia, on which she covers songs from The Great American Songbook. Hollywood actor and director James Franco shows Kirsty round his latest art venture Fat Squirrel. The international human rights lawyer Philippe Sands discusses A Song of...
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PD James Remembered; William Hill Sports Book of the Year; Maggi Hambling
Front Row pays tribute the writer PD James who has died aged 94. Fellow crime writer and friend Ruth Rendell reflects on James's life and work and, in a clip from our archive, James describes the four key motives for murder in a good crime story. Rugby player Gareth Thomas, footballer Bobby Moore...
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Idris Elba; Howard Hodgkin; V&A's Italian Courts
With John Wilson. Actor Idris Elba discusses his album, mi Mandela, inspired by the experience of portraying Nelson Mandela in The Long Walk to Freedom. He also explains why he won't be reprising his role as John Luther in a forthcoming US remake of the BBC drama Luther. Painter Howard Hodgkin...
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Barry Manilow; Diana Souhami; War photography; Jewish comedy
Barry Manilow talks to Samira Ahmed about his new album, 'My Dream Duets'. It's a collection of duets with artists beyond the grave such as John Denver, Judy Garland and Whitney Houston. Diana Souhami, whose novel Gwendolen imagines life from the point of view of Daniel Deronda's heroine, and Viv...
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Jude Law; David Guetta; Post Pop at the Saatchi Gallery
Samira Ahmed with Jude Law, who discusses how playing Henry V on stage inspired his role as a desperate, out of work submarine captain searching for Nazi gold in his new film Black Sea. The French DJ and record producer David Guetta discusses his latest album Listen, featuring the vocal talents…
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Peter Firmin on The Clangers; The forgotten Bronte; Winter Sleep
Kirsty Lang talks to artist and puppet-maker Peter Firmin, whose iconic children's tv characters include Bagpuss, Basil Brush and The Clangers. Robert Edric on his novel Sanctuary, which explores the final months in the turbulent life of Branwell Brontë - brother to the more famous Brontë…
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Dr John; David Hare pays tribute to Mike Nichols; Composer John Adams
Blues legend Dr John talks to John Wilson about his tribute album to fellow New Orleans musician Louis Armstrong, and how the project was the result of a visit from Armstrong in a dream. The American composer John Adams talks about the world stage premiere of his opera The Gospel According to the...
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Hugh Bonneville; Mary J Blige; Remember Me
Hugh Bonneville discusses his role as Mr Brown in the new Paddington film; Mary J Blige on self doubt, soul music and making an album inspired by London; Michael Palin stars in BBC drama, Remember Me - a contemporary ghost story set in Yorkshire. Chris Dunkley joins John to review it. And two of...
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Costa Book Awards shortlist announced; Meera Syal; The Hunger Games review; Peter Bazalgette
The shortlisted authors for the 2014 Costa Book Awards are announced. Critic Stephanie Merritt comments on the authors chosen in five categories: novel, first novel, poetry, biography and children's fiction. Meera Syal discusses her latest stage role in Behind the Beautiful Forevers, based on the...
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The Homesman reviewed; Dave Grohl
Tonight's Front Row reviews The Homesman - a western directed by and starring Tommy Lee Jones - and Dave Grohl talks about Foo Fighters' new album, Sonic Highways. Also in the programme: director Blanche McIntyre on her revival of Emlyn Williams' 1950 play about sex, scandal and blackmail…
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The Drop; Jan Garbarek; Quentin Blake; Assaf Gavron
Tom Hardy and the late James Gandolfini star in the thriller The Drop, reviewed by Jenny McCartney. Saxophonist Jan Garbarek and David James discuss the Hilliard Ensemble. Quentin Blake on Paula Rego and Honoré Daumier: Scandal, Gossip and Other Stories at the House of Illustration. And Assaf...
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Richard Ford; William Orbit; Kate Hewitt; Dylan Thomas's notebook
Celebrated American writer Richard Ford discusses his new novel Let Me Be Frank With You - which continues the story of his much loved character Frank Bascombe. A notebook of Dylan Thomas's poetry has been rediscovered after 70 years. It offers a unique insight into the creative workings of Dylan...
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Aaron Sorkin; Leighton House; Goldsmiths Prize; Dreda Say Mitchell
The Oscar-winning writer and producer Aaron Sorkin, acclaimed for The Social Network and The West Wing, talks to Kirsty Lang as the final season of The Newsroom airs. Kirsty visits Leighton House in London as paintings from The Pérez Simón Collection, the largest private collection of Victorian…
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Chadwick Boseman on James Brown; Allen Jones
John Wilson talks to Chadwick Boseman, who plays soul singer James Brown in the Hollywood biopic Get on Up. Sculptor Allen Jones on his retrospective at the Royal Academy. Artist Jonathan Yeo on portraits in the age of the selfie. And Hannah Price from Theatre Uncut on generating dozens of...
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Bryan Ferry; The Fall; Peder Balke; Revolutionary Theatre
Bryan Ferry talks to Kirsty Lang about his 14th solo album, Avonmore. Professor Chris Rapley, one of the UK's leading climate scientists, has written his first play, 2071, which focuses on climate change, and Molly Davies has drawn on her years working as a teaching assistant to write God Bless…
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Benedict Cumberbatch; Sumia Sukkar; The looting of Syrian Art; Pink Floyd Review
Benedict Cumberbatch talks to John Wilson about his role in The Imitation Game. He plays pioneering computer scientist and Bletchley code breaker Alan Turing. 22-year-old Sumia Sukkar discusses her debut novel The Boy from Aleppo who Painted the War, the story of a teenage boy with Asperger's...
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Made In Dagenham; Elif Shafak; Gold at Buckingham Palace
Tonight's Front Row reviews the stage-musical version of the film, Made In Dagenham, starring Gemma Arterton, and Samira Ahmed is given a guided tour around Gold - a new exhibition at Buckingham Palace. Also in the programme: Elif Shafak talks about her latest novel, The Architect's Apprentice…
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Ben Elton, Queen Coal, Transmitting Andy Warhol, Leviathan, Birds in Literature
Successful novelist, playwright and stand-up comic, Ben Elton, a central figure in the alternative comedy scene in the 1980s, joins Kirsty Lang to discuss his new novel, Time And Time Again. His book follows ex-soldier Hugh Stanton who is transported back to 1914 from 2025, in order to prevent…
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Babylon; Wendy Cope; border crossing theatre; North Korean art
Babylon, a new series from the creators of Peep Show, returns for a series after appearing on Channel 4 as a pilot. Brit Marling and James Nesbitt star in this fly on the wall satire about the police. Documentary film maker Roger Graef reviews. Poet Wendy Cope discusses her new book, Life, Love…
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Interstellar, Nick Hornby, John Harle, Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes
Novelist Lionel Shriver reviews Christopher Nolan's three-hour film Interstellar, starring Matthew McConaughey. Nick Hornby talks to John Wilson about his new novel Funny Girl, set around a fictional 1960's sitcom. Saxophonist John Harle assesses the musical instrument designed by Adolphe Sax who...
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Michael Bond on Paddington, Lloyd Newson, Edward Snowden documentary
Michael Bond, the creator of the much-loved Paddington Bear, joins Kirsty Lang. He'll be talking about writing in Paddington's voice for the first time in a new collection of letters to the bear's Aunt Lucy, Love From Paddington. And he reveals his role in the new Paddington film. Documentary…
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Elijah Wood, Angela Hewitt, Crowd-funding your novel, The Overnighters
Elijah Wood talks to Kirsty Lang about his role in Set Fire to the Stars, a biopic about Dylan Thomas's turbulent time in 1950s New York. Pianist Angela Hewitt discusses her new recording of Bach's The Art of Fugue. Writers Paul Kingsnorth and Julian Gough explain how important crowd-funding was…
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Keira Knightley; Nick Drake; A Real Birmingham Family; Mercury Prize hopefuls
John Wilson talks to Keira Knightley about new film Say When and her preparations for her Broadway debut in Therese Raquin. Gabrielle Drake and Joe Boyd discuss Nick Drake as they publish a book about his life and work. We hear from Emma and Roma Jones as Gillian Wearing prepares to reveal her...
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Nightcrawler; Laura Mvula; Bastille
Samira Ahmed discusses the film Nightcrawler, which stars Jake Gyllenhaal as an ambulance chasing cameraman. Laura Mvula and Bastille on composing a new score for the film Drive, commissioned by Radio 1's Zane Lowe. Historian Juliet Gardiner reviews BBC1's new First World War drama series, The...
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Daniel Radcliffe in Horns; Edwyn Collins
Tonight's Front Row reviews Daniel Radcliffe's latest film, Horns, and talks to singer Edwyn Collins about the documentary that's been made about his recovery after two strokes. Also in the programme: Stephen Daldry explains why his film, Trash - set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro - has won top...
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Timothy Spall, Picasso Museum, Maria João Pires, Memphis
Timothy Spall has brought JMW Turner to life in Mike Leigh's new film, Mr Turner - he tells Damian Barr how he did so, learning to paint like the master and using his own love of the sea. The Picasso museum in Paris closed for renovation in 2009, and was scheduled to re-open two years later. But...
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Boris on Churchill; Serena reviewed
In tonight's Front Row Boris Johnson considers Churchill's legacy on the 50th anniversary of his death, and there's a review of the film Serena - a dark tale about a troubled marriage in the Depression-era, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. Also in the programme: this year's Art…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Front Row: Archive 2014 have?
Front Row: Archive 2014 currently has 259 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Front Row: Archive 2014 about?
Magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music.
How often does Front Row: Archive 2014 release new episodes?
Front Row: Archive 2014 publishes regularly with 259 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Front Row: Archive 2014?
You can listen to Front Row: Archive 2014 on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Front Row: Archive 2014?
Front Row: Archive 2014 is created and hosted by BBC Radio 4.
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