Front Row Weekly

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.