Front Row

In our weekly review show, Kirsty Wark is joined by writer and critic Hannah McGill and writer and journalist Alan Taylor to discuss What Can We Know, the latest novel from Booker Prize winning writer Ian McEwan, an epic story set in a largely underwater Britain a hundred years in the future which touches on themes including climate change and great poetry. They also give their verdicts on Frances Poet's Small Acts of Love, a musical theatre production inspired by relationships formed across the Atlantic between victims of the Lockerbie disaster in December 1988. The production - a collaboration between the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow and the National Theatre of Scotland, and with songs by Deacon Blue's Ricky Ross, is the opening production in the newly refurbished 'Citz', a theatre which has played an important role in the city and also in the careers of the likes of Rupert Everett, Glenda Jackson and Miriam Margolyes, and which has just reopened after a major revamp. They also review The Girlfriend, a new psychological thriller from Amazon Prime, which stars Robin Wright as a possessive mother whose life begins to unravel when her son brings home a new partner she suspects is not all she seems. We also bring you the latest in our series of interviews with authors shortlisted for this year's BBC National Short Story Award, Colwill Brown. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

As news has broken of the death of Robert Redford aged 89, Front Row looks back over his astonishing career, from roles in iconic films such as All The President's Men and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, to his environmental activism and his support for independent films through the Sundance Film Festival.Mark Ronson talks about his new memoir, Night People, reflecting on his rise from DJ to superstar producer behind hits such as Uptown Funk and Amy Winehouse's Back to Black album. Caoilinn Hughes talks to Tom about being shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award for her story Two Hands.And we explore Picasso's fascination with theatre and performance via a new exhibition at Tate Modern called Theatre Picasso. Artist Wu Tsang and curator Natalia Sidlina are in the studio to discuss Picasso in a new light. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Tim Bano

Robert Plant on his journey from Led Zeppelin to his latest album of folk songs. Creator of V for Vendetta and Watchmen, Alan Moore is probably the world's most acclaimed writer of comic books, a medium he now eschews. Moving into novels, he has explored his hometown Northampton in widely praised work like Jerusalem, but his latest - The Great When - is an otherworldly exploration of literary London, inspired by the psychogeography of Iain SInclair and horror writing of Arthur Machen. From Seurat to Van Gogh, we mark a new exhibition at the National Gallery with a dive into the entrancing light and pontillist glow of the neo-impressionists. Co-curator Julien Domercq and art expert Anthea Callen are on to discuss. With the National Short Story Awards approaching, we speak to shortlisted author Emily Abdeni-Holman about her entry, Yair.

Writer Jenny McCartney and journalist and screenwriter Sarfraz Manzoor join Tom Sutcliffe to discuss the David Bowie Centre at the V&A East Storehouse in London – the new home for the Bowie archive, where visitors can book one-on-one time with items. They also discuss the film Spinal Tap II- the sequel to the cult 1984 mockumentary about a heavy metal band. Plus Jung Chang’s Fly, Wild Swans – the follow up to her best-selling family autobiography Wild Swans. And we’ll be revealing the shortlist for the BBC National Short Story Award.Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Claire Bartleet

As the Downton Abbey franchise comes to an end after fifteen years, with the cinema release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale this Friday, we discuss the enduring appeal of the upstairs-downstairs class-based period drama with the chatelaine of the 'real Downton', Highclere Castle, the Countess of Carnarvon, and with Caroline Frost of The Radio Times. Suede frontman Brett Anderson talks to us about the 21st century anxieties which have informed the renowned indie-rock band's new album, Antidepressants. Two medical professionals who've turned a razor-sharp scalpel to writing informed by their careers in the NHS: Adam Kay, the junior doctor-turned writer of the bestselling memoir This Is Going to Hurt, discusses writing his debut novel, A Particularly Nasty Case, a murder-mystery set in the corridors of a busy hospital. And nurse and playwright Uma Nada-Rajah talks about her tragicomic production Black Hole Sign which is set in an A+E department and which opens in Scotland this weekend.Plus we hear about a new initiative - launched today - which aims to develop filmmaking skills in children as young as 3 years old. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran have created some of comedy's most beloved characters, including Birds of a Feather's Sharon and Tracey, and The New Statesman's Alan B'Stard. As their play Dr Freud Will See You Now Mrs Hitler comes to London, they discuss alternate histories, the limits of comedy, and how they still make each other laugh. Medea remains one of the most complex and terrifying characters in mythology, and Natalie Haynes's new novel No Friend to this House reimagines the story of the sorceress from Colchis. She discusses depictions of Medea with theatre director Carrie Cracknell. As the National Gallery launches an architectural competition to build a new wing, funded by two huge donations from charitable foundations, art curator and critic Kate Bryan joins Tom to discuss what the building might hold, how the National Gallery might be able to attract new audiences, and the place of art in today's world. And the award-winning pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason joins Front Row to talk about her upcoming concerts, her album Fantasie and gives us a special performance. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Tim Bano

Maxine Peake, an acclaimed actress known for her versatility, discusses her role as Mary Whitehouse in a new play, shedding light on the controversial campaigner's complex legacy and her impact on media morality. West End star Marisha Wallace shares her journey as a performer, detailing her new concert album 'Live in London' and her rise from a farm girl to a musical theatre sensation. Both guests engage in conversations about the power of art in reflecting and influencing societal issues.

Critics William Lee Adams and Laura Barton join Samira to review the new album from Irish popstar CMAT which reflects on her home country, the sexist comments she has received, as well as Jamie Oliver and Teslas. More than a decade after the US version of sitcom The Office ended, it gets a spin-off called The Paper, set in a local newspaper office in Ohio. And Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar-Jones lead the cast of a new gay romance film called On Swift Horses, set in fifties California. London's Southbank Centre will be covered in dance for 3 nights, when "We Should Have Never Walked On The Moon" takes over The Royal Festival Hall and The Queen Elizabeth Hall. Visitors will witness dance in new spaces, by Ballet Rambert and (LA)HORDE. Samira speaks with dancers, choreographers, organisers and directors about what will happen and what it all means.Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Tim Bano

Canadian rock and pop legend Bryan Adams on his new studio album – Roll With The Punches. He talks to Kirsty Wark about the inspiration for his lyrics, creating music with old gear, AI, and – surprisingly – duetting with Luciano Pavarotti.Folk singer Emily Portman was left in disbelief this summer when an AI-generated album was released under her name without her permission. Dr Hayleigh Bosser and Emily discuss artificial intelligence and the rights of musicians. With the Venice Film Festival in full flow, journalist Hannah Strong gives a glimpse behind the scenes at some of the hits – and the political undercurrents – on the Lido this year. And Damian Barr shares the true story behind his latest novel The Two Roberts, an exploration of the lives of Ayrshire artists and lovers Robert Colquhoun and Robert MacBryde.Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Caitlin Sneddon

West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin talks to Nick Ahad about his award winning and record-breaking adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee's seminal American novel about racial injustice and childhood innocence. This play is about to tour around the UK, with Richard Coyle returning to his West End role of Atticus Finch. Sorkin also hints at what we can expect to see in his follow-up The Social Network, the Oscar winning film based on the creation of Facebook.Nick visits Bradford Live, the newly restored building in the centre of Bradford. For two decades the building lay derelict after being a hub of public entertainment in the city from the 1930s. Lee Craven, the founding director of Bradford Live, the organisation that led the renovations, and Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the leader of Bradford Council discuss the work involved in the restoration and the significance of the building in Bradford's cultural and economic landscape.80s pop star Toyah on her life, career, new found fame during lockdown and her new greatest hits package Chameleon, which celebrates her 45 years in music.Raymond Antrobus discusses his prose memoir, The Quiet Ear, about growing up between worlds: Jamaican and British, deaf and hearing, sign and spoken language, and becoming the award-winning poet whose work explores all these experiences.Presenter: Nick Ahad Producer: Ekene Akalawu