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Rock of Ages reviewed; Scottish National Portrait Gallery; Afghan War fiction.

John Wilson reports from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, one of the contenders for the Art Fund Prize for museums; Tom Cruise in Rock of Ages reviewed; Afghan War fiction.

With John Wilson,

John reports from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, one of the contenders for the Art Fund Prize for museums, in the company of Alexander McCall Smith who has used it as a location in his novels. Front Row is reporting from all four shortlisted museums, before announcing the winner next Tuesday.

Tom Cruise and Russell Brand star in Rock of Ages, a film adaptation of the jukebox musical, where classic 80s rock songs form the backdrop to a love story set on LA's Sunset Strip. Music writer Kate Mossman gives her verdict.

The author of Afghan war novel The Watch, Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya, explains how he wrote the book without setting foot in the country or talking to a soldier, and offers his own thoughts on the reasons why other novelists have not tackled this controversial subject.

And, an interview with Jon McGregor, winner of the lucrative International Impac Dublin Literary Award is which is voted for by libraries around the world.

Producer Erin Riley.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Rock of Ages

    • Rock of Ages

      Duration: 05:01

  • Joydeep Roy Bhattacharya

    • Joydeep Roy Bhattacharya

      Novelist Joydeep Roy Bhattacharya discusses his novel The Watch

      Duration: 07:19

  • Morrissey

    • Morrissey

      An extract from an interview with Morrissey on his thorny relationship with the press

      Duration: 02:32

  • Arts Fund Prize 2012

    • Arts Fund Prize 2012

      Alexander McCall Smith takes a tour of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh

      Duration: 07:46

  • Jon McGregor

    • Jon McGregor

      An interview with Jon McGregor, winner of the International Impac Dublin Literary Award

      Duration: 04:55

Broadcast

  • Wed 13 Jun 2012 19:15

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