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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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

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James Shapiro

Zareer Masani

Charlotte Mullins

Ben Folds

Samira Ahmed

Angie Nehring

Front Row: James Shapiro, Ben Folds, Zareer Masani, Giacometti

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14/10/2015

James Shapiro, Ben Folds, Zareer Masani, Giacometti

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, James Shapiro, Ben Folds, Zareer Masani, Giacometti

Author James Shapiro discusses Shakespeare, and Charlotte Mullins reviews Giacometti.

James Shapiro discusses Shakespeare, Ben Folds on his new album, Charlotte Mullins reviews Giacometti, and why Indian writers are protesting against 'intolerance of free speech'.

Author James Shapiro describes how the Gunpowder Plot and King James' desire to unite England and Scotland inspired Shakespeare's great plays King Lear and Macbeth.

In India 40 writers have returned their literary awards in protest against what they consider a 'rising intolerance of free speech' which has seen some writers attacked and murdered. Historian Zareer Masani considers the significance of their action and its political and historical context.

Giacometti: Pure Presence at the National Portrait Gallery in London is the first major exhibition to focus on his portraiture and includes his paintings, sculptures and drawings. Art critic Charlotte Mullins reviews.

Ben Folds discusses his new album So There, which sees him collaborating with New York sextet, yMusic. The resulting eight 'chamber rock' songs are followed by his first piano concerto and he reveals why he enjoys blurring the lines between classical and pop.

Presenter Samira Ahmed
Producer Angie Nehring.

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

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James Shapiro, Ben Folds, Zareer Masani, Giacometti

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