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He Named Me Malala, Nicola Benedetti and Wynton Marsalis, Alistair McDowall, War Horse

Arts news with Samira Ahmed, including Kamila Shamsie reviewing He Named Me Malala, Wynton Marsalis with violinist Nicola Benedetti and Alistair McDowall on his play Pomona.

He Named Me Malala is a new film documentary about Malala Yousafzai, the young woman from Pakistan who was shot in the head by the Taliban for speaking out in support of the education of girls. Novelist Kamila Shamsie reviews this intimate portrait of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

On Friday, violinist Nicola Benedetti will perform the world premiere of the violin concerto that composer Wynton Marsalis has written for her. They talk to Samira about how their five year collaboration came about.

As Alistair McDowall's hit play, Pomona, opens in Manchester, he reveals how his dystopian thriller was inspired by an abandoned island near the centre of the city.

All this week, as part of the 91Èȱ¬'s On Stage Season, Front Row is discovering what happens backstage in theatres across the country just before the curtain goes up. Tonight we follow a fight rehearsal with a difference as Topthorn and Joey, the life-size equestrian puppets in War Horse, and their six puppeteers prepare to do battle.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Angie Nehring.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • He Named Me Malala

    Duration: 05:42

  • Nicola Benedetti and Wynton Marsalis

    Duration: 08:42

  • Alistair McDowall

    Duration: 08:18

  • Backstage At War Horse

    Duration: 04:42

He Named Me Malala

He Named Me Malala

is in cinemas from Friday 6 November, certificate PG.

Left and Main Image - Photo Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Wynton Marsalis Violin Concerto

Wynton Marsalis Violin Concerto

The , performed by the London Symphony Orchestra featuring Nicola Benedetti and conducted by James Gaffigan, is at The Barbican on Friday 6 November.

Photo Credit: John Devlin

Pomona

Pomona

 is at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and runs until Saturday 21 November. 

Photo Credit: Richard Davenport

War Horse Backstage

War Horse Backstage

This week, as part of the 91Èȱ¬â€™s On Stage season, Front Row, which is on the air shortly the curtain goes up in theatres all over the country, steps behind the scenes, with an item every day about what goes on shortly before the performance begins. We drop in on a vocal warm up at the National; The arcane ritual of cast calls is explained, and we start, tonight with a fight rehearsal with a difference. It is between Topthorn and Joey, the horses in War Horse – two life-size equestrian puppets, animated by six performers.

is at the National Theatre until 12 March 2016.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Samira Ahmed
Interviewed Guest Kamila Shamsie
Interviewed Guest Nicola Benedetti
Interviewed Guest Wynton Marsalis
Interviewed Guest Alistair McDowall
Producer Angie Nehring

Broadcast

  • Mon 2 Nov 2015 19:15

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