Hosts of BBC arts show not likely to be seen in the front row
WHEN the BBC announced it would be moving its flagship arts show Front Row from Radio 4 to television, it promised editorial expertise from an all-new team, backed by real depth and insight.
In hindsight, they may wish to have explored the presenters’ expertise in the world of theatre.
The stars of the new BBC Two version of Front Row have expressed a distinct lack of knowledge about the art form, with Giles Coren claiming he finds plays too stressful and the seats uncomfortable. Amol Rajan is too busy with his baby to attend shows, while Nikki Bedi said she struggles with shows that do not have an interval.
Theatre industry experts have called the comments, in Radio Times, “more than a little dispiriting”. Coren, a restaurant critic and broadcaster, said he had “not been to the theatre much in the past six or seven years”, worrying that the actors would forget their lines.
“I’ve always found the theatre stressful,” he said. “I’ve not been because you’ve got to get there by half-past seven and I have to bath my kids and put them to sleep before I can go out.”
Asked what he would change to improve the theatre experience, he said: “The seats! … In the theatre they’re all so uncomfortable and old, and it feels like they’re trying to throw you out. I’d also like easier access to the loo.”
Amol Rajan, the BBC’S media editor, said he loved plays as a result of his English degree, but added: “I have a young baby, so I don’t get to go as much as I’d like to. My favourite place is Shakespeare’s Globe and I love musical theatre.”
Mark Shenton, associate editor of The Stage, said: “It’s more than a little dispiriting that cultural commentators, as these presenters are being appointed to be, can be so casually dismissive of theatre – hiding behind spurious reasons like anxiety over actors remembering their lines, the discomfort of the seats and the lack of intervals.”
A BBC spokesman said: “Theatre review and discussion will be a prominent part of Front Row and the presenters are looking forward to reacquainting themselves with the best that British theatre has to offer.”