Desert Island Discs

Latest Episodes:

Joan Turner Jul 31, 1988

Show notes

Sue Lawley's castaway is comedian Joan Turner.

Favourite track: One Fine Day by Giacomo Puccini Book: Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales Luxury: Baked beans

Lord Armstrong Jul 24, 1988

Show notes

Sue Lawley's castaway is former Cabinet Secretary Lord Armstrong.

Favourite track: Piano Trio In D Minor by Felix Mendelssohn Book: The collected works by Jane Austen Luxury: Music manuscript paper, pencil, rubber

Dame Edna Everage Jul 17, 1988

Show notes

Sue Lawley's castaway is comedian Dame Edna Everage.

Favourite track: I Feel Pretty by Kiri Te Kanawa Book: Filofax Luxury: Madge Allsop

David Essex Jul 10, 1988

Show notes

This week's castaway on Sue Lawley's desert island is a little difficult to categorise. To the record-buying public, he's a pop star of durable quality; to the theatregoers who like musicals, he's an actor-singer, and he's a popular music composer too. His name is David Essex, and, in conversation with Sue Lawley, you can hear about his life, his work and his enthusiasms in Desert Island Discs.

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

Favourite track: March No 1 in D Major (Pomp and Circumstance) by Edward Elgar Book: The Guinness Book of Records Luxury: A set of cricket equipment

David Owen Jul 03, 1988

Show notes

To celebrate his 50th birthday this week, David Owen, leader of the Social Democratic Party, has rather rashly agreed to be castaway on Sue Lawley's desert island! It might not be the most relaxing way to mark a half-century, but Dr Owen is a passionate sailor, so the situation has its charms. He is also very keen on poetry and music, both of which will accompany him to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Piano Concerto No 21 in C - Slow Movement by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: His own anthology of poems Luxury: A hot bath

Jeremy Isaacs Jun 26, 1988

Show notes

Having left television to become General Director Designate of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Jeremy Isaacs this week contemplates another change of direction - to the mythical island. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he chooses eight records to take with him.

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

Favourite track: The Marriage Of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: A compilation by Benny Green Luxury: Frogman's outfit and snorkel

Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies Jun 19, 1988

Show notes

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

Rt. Hon. Douglas Hurd Jun 12, 1988

Show notes

Sue Lawley's castaway is Home Office Minister Douglas Hurd.

Favourite track: In Paradisum by Gabriel Fauré Book: The Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century Verse (selected by Philip Larkin) Luxury: Champagne

Anton Mosimann Jun 05, 1988

Show notes

This week's castaway is Anton Mosimann - until recently, Maitre Chef des Cuisines at the Dorchester Hotel in London. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he reflects on his life and the new development in his career and chooses eight records to sustain him on the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Memory by Barbara Dickson Book: Opera di M. Bartolomeo Scappi (recipe book of Pope's chef in 1525) Luxury: Steamer for cooking

Rabbi Lionel Blue May 29, 1988

Show notes

Sue Lawley's castaway is Rabbi Lionel Blue.

Favourite track: Why Has A Cow Got Four Legs? by Cicely Courtneidge & Wilson Hallett Book: The biggest value of pure maths Luxury: Toilet bag