Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Front Row

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music

BBC Radio 4 FM

Front Row: The biggest ever symphony; smoking on stage; Ben Mezrich

The biggest ever symphony; smoking on stage; Ben Mezrich

15/07/2011

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, The biggest ever symphony; smoking on stage; Ben Mezrich

Mark Lawson reports on a rare performance of Havergal Brian's epic Gothic symphony.

Mark Lawson reports on a rare performance of Havergal Brian's epic Gothic symphony. Ben Mezrich discusses his follow-up to the book which inspired the film The Social Network.

With Mark Lawson.

Havergal Brian's epic Gothic symphony demands a vast orchestra, choirs and unusual percussion effects. Conductor Martyn Brabbins discusses how he's leading 1000 musicians and performers through this rarely-heard piece, in a performance at the BBC Proms on Sunday. 

Ben Mezrich's book about the founding of Facebook inspired the Oscar-winning film The Social Network. His new book also focuses on a true story: Sex on the Moon is the tale of the daring theft of lunar rocks from NASA. Mezrich reflects on the art and the ethics of writing non-fiction in the style of fiction. 

A London theatre recently warned its audiences that the actors would be smoking on stage for much of the evening. Mark reports on why the theatre is allowed to remain a public building which permits smoking, including the views of actors Kristin Scott Thomas and Dominic West and director Simon Godwin.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Front Row

The biggest ever symphony; smoking on stage; Ben Mezrich

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4