Front Row: Archive 2014

With Samira Ahmed

Singer-songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright on his Late Night Prom; a review of The Leftovers the latest series to come from the creator of Lost; we take a look at the late Sir Anthony Caro's final sculptures; and the story behind the Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra, the first from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Produced by Ella-mai Robey.

Cathy Rentzenbrink from The Bookseller gives her verdict on the Man Booker Prize shortlist; James Ellroy, perhaps best known for his LA Quartet books, which include LA Confidential and The Black Dahlia, is set to publish his largest book to date. ‘Perfidia’ revolves around the brutal murder of a Japanese family on December 6th, 1941; a day before the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor and it sheds light on the violence that was happening in the city of Los Angeles on the cusp of America's entrance into WW2. Joyce DiDonato reveals what's on her latest CD of Bel Canto opera arias; and we get a sneak preview of the Great Gallery at the Wallace Collection which opens its doors again after two years, during which time it has been redesigned and the paintings rehung.

Philip Seymour Hoffman's final film A Most Wanted Man, based on the novel by John le Carré, is reviewed by Mark Eccleston; Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson discusses his exhibition influenced by JMW Turner at Tate Britain with Kirsty Lang, and critic Charlotte Mullins reviews a major new exhibition Late Turner at the same gallery, and Tamzin Outhwaite and Ben Ockrent on their play Breeders.

Producer Jerome Weatherald.

Pride is a new British film, starring Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton and Dominic West, that tells the extraordinary story of the Lesbian and Gay group that travelled to South Wales in 1984 to support the striking miners. Kirsty talks to writer Stephen Beresford and director Matthew Warchus.

Kirsty Lang explores a major retrospective of master photographer Horst P Horst, with fashion and lifestyle writer Martin Raymond . Featuring famous photographs including Mainbocher Corset, recreated by Madonna in her Vogue video, alongside Hollywood portraits, Vogue covers and nude studies.

Tyrant is a new American thriller series whose creative team also worked on Homeland and 24 and - like them - it interweaves political drama and family issues. Tyrant focuses on Barry, youngest son of a war-torn fictional country's dictator, who's escaped his past and now lives in California with his American wife and children. But despite themselves, this all-American family becomes embroiled in the political intrigues of the nation they've left behind. American writer and critic Michael Carlson reviews.

And novelist Rachel Cusk talks about her new book Outline. It tells the story of an English writer, teaching in Athens, who finds that everyone she meets wants to share their stories with her.

Tony Bennett joins Kirsty Lang to talk about his seven-decade career and working with Lady Gaga to create an album of jazz duets.

Author Will Self talks about his new novel Shark, inspired by the film Jaws and the true story of a terrible shark attack during the Second World War.

Little Revolution takes the London riots of 2011 as its starting point. The play is created by Alecky Blythe (London Road), with a cast including Imogen Stubbs and Ronni Ancona. Susannah Clapp reviews.

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) stars with Paul Rudd in a new parody of the Nora Ephron-style romcom: They Came Together. Does the comedy come off? Katie Puckrik reviews.

Presenter Kirsty Lang

Samira Ahmed talks to actor Dan Stevens, who has gone from Downton Abbey to Hollywood and is starring in a horror film, The Guest.

Regeneration author Pat Barker discusses a new stage version of her First World War trilogy with adaptor Nicholas Wright.

Val McDermid reviews ITV's new crime series Chasing Shadows, which stars Reece Shearsmith and Alex Kingston.

And author Matthew Thomas discusses his novel We are not Ourselves, about an American family coping with Alzheimer's.

In tonight's programme, John Wilson talks to Dame Helen Mirren about her new film The Hundred-Foot Journey, and to David Mitchell about his novel The Bone Clocks - and concert pianist Lang Lang gives John a demonstration of his new technique for learning the piano.

Presenter: John Wilson

With John Wilson.

Smokey Robinson (Tracks of My Tears, Being With You, Tears of a Clown) was once pronounced by Bob Dylan as America's greatest living poet. Smokey talks to John about his new CD of duets with Elton John, Mary J Blige and Jessie J.

Before I Go to Sleep was a huge bestseller as a novel in 2011. The film adaptation opens this week with Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman and Mark Strong. Sarah Dunant reviews.

Lenny Henry talks about bringing Radio 4 sitcom Rudy's Rare Records to the stage in Birmingham, as well as discussing his career, music and father-son relationships.

Plus, Boyd Hilton reviews The Secrets, BBC1's new series of stand-alone dramas by new writers starring Olivia Colman and Alison Steadman amongst others.

Presenter : John Wilson

Kirsty Lang talks to Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn about Roundelay, his 78th play. Comedian Omid Djalili discusses his memoir Hopeful: An Autobiography which is about his unconventional childhood and adolescence. Two developers of "video games" that have no visuals but are just audio explain how to play these imaginative games and Catherine Bray joins Kirsty from the Venice Film Festival with news of the films that are making waves and the up and coming directing talent to look out for.

Presenter: Kirsty Lang

Canadian writer Margaret Atwood discusses Stone Mattress, her new collection of nine short stories. Flamenco guitarist Paco Peña tells Samira Ahmed about his latest work Patrias which is being performed at the Edinburgh International Festival, inspired by the writer Federico García Lorca who was murdered at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. Shahidha Bari reviews new film Obvious Child, about a comedienne who faces some challenging realities when she discovers she's pregnant. And artist Michael Sailstorfer on his interactive work at the Folkestone Triennial.

Producer Jerome Weatherald.