Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 280,425 playable programmes from the BBC

Front Row

Singer Olly Alexander, Veteran documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, Can a critic call an actor overweight?

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW

Available for over a year

Theatre criticism has been in the dock recently after a reviewer was publicly reproached for mentioning an actor's weight. Critics Sarah Crompton and Quentin Letts debate whether reviewers should feel free to assess an actor's body as well as their performance.

Olly Alexander from Years and Years discusses the band's new album, Palo Santo, which combines a sci-fi setting with a visceral account of his life as a gay man. And he performs a song from the new release.

Veteran American documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman delves into the world of the New York Public Library in his 42nd documentary, EX LIBRIS. The honorary Oscar winner tells Stig Abell about film-making at 88 years of age, and why he chooses to do all of the research, shooting and editing himself.

Presenter: Stig Abell
Producer: Julian May

Main Image: Olly Alexander. Credit: Years and Years. Show less

Contributors

Presenter:
Stig Abell
Interviewed Guest:
Sarah Crompton
Interviewed Guest:
Quentin Letts
Interviewed Guest:
Olly Alexander
Interviewed Guest:
Frederick Wiseman
Performer:
Olly Alexander
Producer:
Julian May

About this data

This data is drawn from the data stream that informs BBC's iPlayer and Sounds. The information shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was/is subject to change and may not be accurate. More