Front Row

From landmark releases to hidden treasures, director Mark Cousins on his 16-hour epic The Story of Documentary Film, which is screening at the Cannes Film Festival this week. A hundred years since Virginia Woolf published her essay On Being Ill, writer Darcey Steinke is presenting a newly commissioned work in response at the Charleston Festival this week. She joins us alongside poet Jade Cuttle to discuss the challenges of writing about pain and sickness and about the most visceral examples in literature.And with a raft of stage musical productions inspired by films opening around the country, Tony and Olivier Award-winning director John Tiffany, whose production Once is at Pitlochry Festival Theatre later this month and critic David Benedict discuss why certain scripts are deserving of multiple incarnations. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

This year marks the tercentenary of polymath Sir John Vanbrugh, regarded as the rockstar architect of the Baroque era. Art historian Sir Charles Saumerez Smith, co-curator of the Vanbrugh exhibition at the Sir John Soane’s Museum, and Rory Fraser who is writing a biography on Vanbrugh, discuss the man happy creating dramas for the British stage and dramatic buildings on the British landscape.Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid is known for her distinctive brightly coloured paintings of black characters. She reflects on representing Great Britain at this year's Venice Biennale, and her ambition as a painter to capture the awkward moment.Marking tonight's first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, television critic Scott Bryan assesses this year's runners and riders aiming to win the song for Europe.Theatre and opera director Kip Williams on directing the UK premiere of the Pulitzer prize-winning opera Angel's Bone which has its UK premiere in Manchester tonight. Fresh from directing one-woman shows with Cynthia Erivo in Dracula, and Sarah Snook in The Picture of Dorian Gray, he talks about juggling the challenges of a contemporary genre-fusing opera.Presented by Nick Ahad Produced by Ekene Akalawu

Alexandra Wood, a playwright who adapted Hilary Mantel’s short story for the stage, talks about expanding the story, staging choices and why she set it now. Aviva Dautch, an arts journalist reporting from the Venice Biennale, describes provocative installations, political responses across pavilions and standout works like Lubaina Himid’s British Pavilion.

Catherine McCormack, writer and art historian, gives sharp takes on sculpture and cultural history. Nick Hilton, TV critic and journalist, offers media-savvy reviews. They debate The Sheep Detectives’ dark yet cozy mystery tone and anthropomorphic visuals. They wander Henry Moore’s massive outdoor show at Kew and parse public perceptions of his work. They also discuss Elizabeth Strout’s compact novel about loneliness and moral choices.

Siri Hustvedt, acclaimed novelist and essayist, reflects on writing Ghost Stories and grieving Paul Auster. Ksenia Malekh, co-curator of the Ukrainian pavilion, explains the origami deer and wartime evacuation context. Nicola McCartney and Maggie Norris discuss theatre projects amplifying care-experienced voices. Rob McNeacail, Gaelic psalm singer, explores the tradition and performs the Stornoway tune live.

Antony Gormley, sculptor famed for Angel of the North, talks about drawing as a daily practice and using unusual pigments. Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden frontman, reflects on the band’s history and a new documentary centered on fans. Hanna Flint, critic, and Dr Sarah Smyth, film scholar, debate how The Devil Wears Prada 2 reframes workplace power, tech antagonists and portrayals of career women.

As the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration prepares to open in London, we find out how illustrators are adapting to a changing world.Starting with a rare interview from Quentin Blake, we'll hear how this once undervalued side of the visual arts still creates the defining images of childhoods, whilst also now playing a central role in the visual language of the internet. Featuring voices working across illustration, including Posy Simmonds, Chris Riddell, Michael Rosen, Christoph Niemann, Lizzy Stewart, Benji Davies, Murugiah, Chie Kutsuwada and Jane Rosenberg and Olivia Ahmad. The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration opens 5th June. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Harry Graham

Maria Delgado, academic and cultural critic, and Mark Ravenhill, playwright and commentator, discuss Zurbarán’s dramatic crucifixions, luminous still lifes and intimate domestic paintings. They also assess the Spanish-language TV adaptation of The House of the Spirits, focusing on magic realism, casting and narrative choices. Conversations touch on a conducting competition, a Brian Epstein play and cultural recommendations.

Paul Weller, veteran singer-songwriter of The Jam and The Style Council, reflects on his musical evolution, influences and covers. Fran Kranz, actor-writer-director, discusses his play about parents after a school shooting. Kirstin Innes, novelist and commentator, explores Agnes Owens' spare, unsparing prose and renewed recognition.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, celebrated children's author and former Children's Laureate, on launching the Children's Booker Prize and his plea to make physical books central to childhood. Tetiana Berezhna, Ukraine's culture minister, on large-scale looting and the fight to preserve Ukrainian heritage. Kae Tempest, poet and novelist, reads from and discusses their new novel about Rothko Taylor. Sharon Marshall, soap script expert, on bold storytelling in long-running dramas.