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Front Row: Peter Kosminsky on The State, Ben Whishaw, The secrets of Vermeer's studio

Peter Kosminsky on The State, Ben Whishaw, The secrets of Vermeer's studio

21/08/2017

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Peter Kosminsky on The State, Ben Whishaw, The secrets of Vermeer's studio

Peter Kosminsky on his new jihadi drama; Ben Whishaw on playing an aerospace billionaire.

Peter Kosminsky on his new drama The State, a portrayal of life inside IS; Ben Whishaw on his new play, Against; an exploration of how Vermeer achieved his luminous paintings.

Peter Kosminsky talks to Stig about his new drama The State, which follows four British men and women who travel to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State. Kosminsky made his reputation with difficult drama documentaries and the storylines in The State are all based on documented events. As writer and director, he discusses the challenges of humanising these characters, and the decision to focus on portraying life inside IS.

Did Vermeer really use a camera obscura to help him paint? Artist Jane Jelley explains how she recreated 17th century painting techniques to find out the truth behind the Dutch Master's luminous paintings.

And in his new stage role Ben Whishaw plays Luke, your average Silicon Valley aerospace billionaire...until God tells him to 'go where there is violence', and he sets out to change the world. With Ben Whishaw and the director Ian Rickson, Stig delves into the ideas and issues in their new play, Against.

Presenter: Stig Abell
Producer: Ella-mai Robey.

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