Front Row - 08/07/2008

Presented by Kirsty Lang. Including: Abba the group have sold over 400 million albums, the stage musical based around their songs has been seen by 30 million people, and so expectations for Mamma Mia! The Movie run high. Starring Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, the film tells the story of a bride, her mum and three possible dads, set on a picturesque Greek island. Rosie Boycott reviews. London's theatres enjoyed their most successful year on record in 2007, with attendances exceeding 13 million for the first time, according to a report by The Society of London Theatre. Critic David Benedict assesses the extent to which television programmes have boosted sales. Stalin biographer Simon Sebag Montefiore has turned to fiction for his latest book Sashenka, a sweeping historical tale of three generations of women in a Russian family from the time of the Tsar through Stalin's terror to today's oligarchs. Quarantine Theatre company's Director Richard Gregory has just toured a production called Old People, Children and Animals to Manchester and Glasgow, featuring performances from amateur volunteers Norma Raynes and Maureen Stirpe. The BP portrait award has removed the age barrier for entrants. Director Sandy Nairne explains why. An exhibition of the BP Portrait Award 2008 is at the National Portrait Gallery until 14 September. This week the Festival Hall in London is one of the venues for The Big Chair Dance. Choreographer Gauri Sharma Tripathi has taught Khatak moves in a form that can be danced whilst sitting on a chair to 200 volunteer performers.