Front Row

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

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: Ben Hopkins, Luke Jerram, Winsome Pinnock, Rex Obano

Screenwriter Ben Hopkins on his soaring new novel, Cathedral

Ben Hopkins, Luke Jerram, Winsome Pinnock, Rex Obano

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Ben Hopkins, Luke Jerram, Winsome Pinnock, Rex Obano

Ben Hopkins' novel Cathedral, Radio drama Faith, Hope and Glory, Luke Jerram gets creative

Ben Hopkins's new novel Cathedral, radio drama Faith, Hope and Glory by Roy Williams, Rex Obano and Winsome Pinnock, and Luke Jerram gets creative.

Screenwriter and novelist Ben Hopkins talks to Tom about his ambitious new novel, Cathedral. It's a portrait of the construction of the medieval period's greatest buildings, featuring a cast of intriguing characters all vying for power - from the bishop to his treasurer to local merchants and lowly stone cutters.

Faith, Hope and Glory is a new drama series on Radio 4 which sees British playwrights Roy Williams, Rex Obano, and Winsome Pinnock chart the history of postwar Britain through the intersecting lives of three women. Starting in 1946, a week of 15 minute dramas which set the scene: Hope and Jim’s baby, entrusted to Eunice to take home to Antigua, is lost at Tilbury Docks, and found by Gloria and Clement, a celibate couple, who decide to keep her and call her Joy. The series continues with three 45 minute plays. Winsome Pinnock and Rex Obano join Tom to discuss the series.

Luke Jerram is the next artist to feature in #FrontRowGetCreative, where artists encourage you to try your hand at a piece of art. Today, he focuses on sound, which has been an important component to much of his work, from installing 2000 pianos in public spaces in 65 cities around the world to etching the sound 
of his own voice on the engagement ring for his wife (which actually plays!).

Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe
Producer: Hilary Dunn

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

Ben Hopkins, Luke Jerram, Winsome Pinnock, Rex Obano

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4