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

John Wilson

Anna Smith

David Edgar

April De Angelis

Paul Pettitt

Michael Forbes

Sarah Johnson

Front Row: Red Sparrow, Adapting novels for the stage, Neanderthal art

front-row_230218_e_lizzie-harris.jpg

23/02/2018

Red Sparrow, Adapting novels for the stage, Neanderthal art

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Red Sparrow, Adapting novels for the stage, Neanderthal art

The verdict on Jennifer Lawrence as a prima ballerina-turned-Russian spy in Red Sparrow.

The verdict on Jennifer Lawrence's new spy thriller Red Sparrow, adapting novels for the stage, the Diaspora Pavilion at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Neanderthal cave paintings.

Jennifer Lawrence stars in new film Red Sparrow as a prima ballerina turned Russian spy trained to seduce her targets. The film is based on a successful novel by former CIA operative Jason Matthews and helmed by Frances Lawrence who also directed Lawrence in the Hunger Games film series. Film critic Anna Smith reviews.

David Edgar's adaptation of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, starring Phil Daniels, is currently touring the country. April de Angelis has adapted Frankenstein for the Manchester Royal Exchange. Both playwrights talk about how they have brought these science fiction classics to the stage and consider why so many new theatre shows are adaptions from famous books. 

Paintings deep in caves in Spain reveal that Neanderthals were artists, according to new research published in the journal Science. Professor Paul Pettitt from Durham University tells us how fundamental the making of art is to us and our ancestors.

The Diaspora Pavilion at last year's Venice Biennale showcased the work of 19 British artists responding to the idea of the diaspora of their various cultures. Michael Forbes, one of the artists, gives John a tour of a selection of the works now on display in the UK at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Sarah Johnson.

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

Red Sparrow, Adapting novels for the stage, Neanderthal art

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4