The New Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman - Penny Smith sits in and chats to author Julia Donaldson

Penny Smith sits in for Claudia for one week only and talks to author T.G Rosenthal about his new book "The Art and the Artist" - the first full-length study of Laurence Stephen Lowry's extensive work for over a decade. Lowry remains one of Britain's most misunderstood artists - to the academically minded he was an un-taught, naive painter of 'matchstick men'; to the art establishment, an amateur, or at best, a regional artist. Yet now, at auction houses the best Lowry works sell for seven figure sums. Tom Rosenthal gives us an insight into the man. The actor Neil Stuke, one of the stars of the BBC's Reggie Perrin - he plays the boss - talks about The National Theatre production of Season's Greetings in which it's the adults, rather than the children, who spoil the festive fun. He's part of an all star cast, which also includes Catherine Tate, Mark Gatiss, and Katherine Parkinson, in the Alan Ayckbourn play. Author of The Gruffalo Julia Donaldson tells us about creating the hairy monster, whilst actor Scott Armstrong, who is about to start playing him/it on the London stages talks about bringing The Gruffalo to life. And we discuss the Northern Art Prize, which offers people a snapshot of some of the best contemporary art currently hailing from the North of England. Plus we'll be hearing about the unlikely love affair between some of the UK's biggest pop stars and Coronation Street, as the soap prepares to celebrate it's 50th anniversary, Charles Gant has the latest film info, and Alex Heminsley reviews the best of the latest celebrity biographies and autobiographies.