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.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: The US Open, Wimbledon and air conditioning

The US Open, Wimbledon and air conditioning

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, The US Open, Wimbledon and air conditioning

The joys of tennis and air conditioning, as pondered by Alistair Cooke.

The United States Open Golf Championship, the Wimbledon tennis tournament and the joys of air conditioning are pondered on by Alistair Cooke while on holiday in his beach house.

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The US Open, Wimbledon and air conditioning

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