BBC Radio 4 LW

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies

19/06/1988

Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies.

At 97, the actress Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies reflects with interest on the prospect of being castaway and, in conversation with Sue Lawley, looks back over her long career. With a head well-stocked with music - and ringing with Shakespeare - she is determined to survive. But she isn't proposing to be castaway for long. She's already plotting a plan of escape. In the meantime, she looks back on her long and fascinating career in the theatre, which began with advice from Ellen Terry, took her into the Gaiety Chorus (at the back) and eventually, after success in The Immortal Hour, to some of the great Shakespearian roles.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] 

Favourite track: Liebestod (from Tristan and Isolde) by Richard Wagner
Luxury: Large bottle of toilet water

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke - Letter from America

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Goodbye to men's clubs

08/06/2014

Goodbye to men's clubs

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Goodbye to men's clubs

Supreme Court rules that all-male clubs discriminate.

Writing on the wall for men's clubs as judges rule they infringe personal liberties.

Writing on the wall for men's clubs as judges rule they infringe personal liberties.

This archive edition of Letter from America was recorded by one of two listeners, who between them taped and labelled over 650 Letter From America programmes from 1973 to 1989. It was restored by the BBC in 2014.

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