Desert Island Discs

Vernon Handley, Associate Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, has made his name through his devotion to British music. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes the long struggle he had to obtain regular work with professional orchestras and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of De...

David Puttnam, now a very successful film producer, began his career as a messenger boy. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes how he worked his way up and was able to create films like Chariots of Fire and Bugsy Malone, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favour...

Robin Hanbury-Tenison divides his time between farming in Cornwall and exploring the remote corners of the world. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his travels in the Sahara, Indonesia, South America and leading the Royal Geographical Society's largest expedition ever to the tropical rainforests of Borneo. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert...

Miklos Rozsa is best known for his many film scores, including those for The Thief of Baghdad, Ben-Hur and Spellbound, but he has also written several concertos and chamber and instrumental music. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his childhood in Hungary, his music studies in Germany, and his work after the war in Hollywood. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive...

Sir John Burgh is the Director-General of the British Council, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how he worked his way from an aircraft factory, through the Board of Trade, the Colonial Office, the Cabinet think tank and other Civil Service appointments to his present position, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the myt...

Ray Cooney, who is the Artistic Director of the very successful Theatre of Comedy, began his career as an actor. Before long, he started directing plays and then writing them, usually in collaboration with John Chapman. These include Charlie Girl, Not Now, Darling and his latest, Two Into One. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his varied career and he chooses the eight records he wo...

Sir Michael Tippett, who celebrated his 80th birthday three days ago, has come to be regarded as one of the foremost composers of this century. As he tells Roy Plomley, other than a period as Director of Music at Morley College, he has allowed very little to distract him from composition. His output includes four symphonies, four operas, four string quartets and several concertos. [Taken from the...

Tom Stoppard, the playwright, began his career as a journalist on a local newspaper in Bristol. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his writing, which has been mainly for the theatre and has included several free translations of plays including Rough Crossing; now in the repertoire of the National Theatre. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert...

John Harvey-Jones, who is Chairman of the giant company Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), began his career in the Royal Navy and was a lieutenant-commander by the time he moved into industry at the age of 33. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his rapid rise from trainee work study officer at ICI with not even one 'O' Level to being appointed Chairman. [Taken from the original progra...

Madhur Jaffrey is an actress who has now become as well-known as a writer and broadcaster on Indian and Far Eastern cooking. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about the films she has made with James Ivory, including Heat and Dust. She also recalls how she came to be a cookery expert, and she chooses eight records she would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme m...

Julie Walters had a variety of jobs, including nursing, before she took up acting. An early London appearance was the result of Funny Peculiar, transferring from the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her work with Victoria Wood, about her huge success in both the play and film of Educating Rita, and she chooses the eight records she would take to the...

Elly Ameling's career as a singer took off when she won the first prizes in two competitions. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she explains why she devotes most of her time to singing lieder and has only appeared in one opera. She also talks about her occasional forays into cabaret and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material...

Michael Elkins was, for many years, the BBC correspondent in Jerusalem. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his childhood in New York, where he became a pool-room hustler, his screen-writing career in Hollywood, and he talks about his active role in helping to set up a Jewish state in Palestine. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] F...

The actor Anthony Hopkins has recently returned to this country after 10 years in California. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his upbringing in South Wales, his rapid rise to fame, the unhappiness that caused him to go to America, and his success in the films The Elephant Man and Mutiny on the Bounty. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert I...

The pianist Jorge Bolet, who was born in Havana, Cuba, was given lessons first by his sister. He went on to study at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is now hailed particularly for his interpretation of the music of Liszt. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his long career, which includes conducting the first performance of T...

Alison Lurie is not only a part-time professor of English at Cornell University where she teaches creative writing and children's literature, but she is also a very successful novelist. "Her seven novels", writes Malcolm Bradbury, "collectively form a biting record of American social, moral and sexual mores from the early 1960s to the present." In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her...

Gordon Beningfield's designs for postage stamps include a butterfly set and the recently-issued insect set. He is also well-known for his paintings of nature and the countryside. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his first job in studios producing ecclesiastical art, his later concentration on stained glass, and then painting. [Taken from the original programme material for this archi...

Richard Eyre is equally at ease whether he is directing in the theatre, for television or on film. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about some of his successes which have included Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre, the films Laughterhouse and The Ploughman's Lunch, and his period as producer of Play for Today with BBC television. [Taken from the original programme material for this...

Doris Stokes, the medium, first heard spirit voices when she was only four years old. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her experiences which include a brief visit to the spirit world, and she explains how she uses her gift to help others by putting them in touch with relations who have passed over. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Isla...

Joseph Allen, the physicist, joined NASA in 1967 as a scientist astronaut. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his lengthy training as an astronaut, the problems of space flight, and he describes his recent trip in the space shuttle to recover two satellites, which necessitated an unfettered walk in space. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Is...

Robert Burchfield, who has been Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary since 1957, was born in New Zealand. After fighting in Italy during the war, he came to England to complete his education and stayed on to be a lecturer at Oxford University. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and discusses the many problems associated with compiling dictionaries. [Taken from the...

Barbara Taylor Bradford's first novel, A Woman of Substance, which was published in 1980, quickly became a huge international success. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she recalls her childhood in Leeds, her first job as a reporter on the Yorkshire Evening Post at the age of 16, becoming a Fleet Street journalist, and her eventual move to New York. [Taken from the original programme material for...

The Rt Hon David Steel MP has been leader of the Liberal Party since 1976. After leaving university, his first job was with the Scottish Liberal Party as Assistant Secretary. In 1965, he won a seat in the Borders and became the youngest member of that parliament. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken f...

Sheila Steafel, the actress who was born in South Africa, went to drama school in London and had her first big break in the television series The Frost Report. Since then, as she tells Roy Plomley, her career has been extremely varied, including music hall, opera, theatre, a one-woman show and a long spell on Radio 4's Week Ending programme. [Taken from the original programme material for this arc...

Michael Parkinson's first guest is the film director Alan Parker, who, besides choosing the eight records he would take to the mythical island, talks about his early career in advertising and his very successful feature films, including Bugsy Malone, Midnight Express and Birdy. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: A Day In Th...