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: Jonathan Pryce

20/05/1990

Jonathan Pryce

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Jonathan Pryce

Sue Lawley's castaway is actor Jonathan Pryce

Sue Lawley's castaway is actor Jonathan Pryce.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is actor Jonathan Pryce. Since the early 1970s, he has taken on many guises and received many plaudits. He was called the new Brando when he appeared on Broadway, and his Shakespearian roles - Hamlet and Macbeth - elicited comparisons with the late Lord Olivier. Most recently, he has diversified from classical roles, feature films and television plays to take a new path with an all-singing, award-winning performance in the West End's biggest hit of the year - Miss Saigon. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his accidental entry into the acting world and the pitfalls and pleasures of his profession.

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

Favourite track: Cello Quintet In C by Franz Schubert
Book: Short Stories by Bernard MacLaverty
Luxury: Endless supply of rum punch

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: Memorial Day, 1990

Memorial Day, 1990

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Memorial Day, 1990

Will new legislation in 1990 mean a difficult future for the American tobacco industry?

In the week of Memorial Day, Alistair Cooke looks at the effect that an upcoming holiday has on Congress and examines the legislation affecting the arms and tobacco industries. 

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Memorial Day, 1990

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