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Desert Island Discs — Personal Journals
Desert Island Discs

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

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2023

Latest Episodes:

Jane Glover Mar 30, 1986

Show notes

Jane Glover, who is the Artistic Director of the London Mozart Players, first became interested in conducting when she was reading music at Oxford University. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her work at Glyndebourne, where she began as a repetiteur for the Opera Company and ended up running the touring company, and she talks about the way her career is developing as a conductor.

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

Favourite track: Cosi fan Tutte Act 1 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Letters by Virginia Woolf Luxury: Bathroom with lots of full cupboards

Rt Hon Shirley Williams Mar 23, 1986

Show notes

The Rt Hon Shirley Williams is President of the Social Democratic Party. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her mother Vera Brittain, her life in America during the war as an evacuee, her career; first as a journalist, then as a politician, and her break with the Labour Party to form the SDP.

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

Favourite track: Introduction and Allegro For Strings Opus 4 by Edward Elgar Book: Collected poems by W B Yeats Luxury: BBC computer

Ron Pickering Mar 16, 1986

Show notes

Ron Pickering, the sports commentator, used to coach athletes for the Olympics. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his career, about the problems of modern sport, such as racism, violence and drugs, 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]

Favourite track: Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini Book: The Guinness Book of Records Luxury: Typewriter

Beryl Bainbridge Mar 09, 1986

Show notes

Beryl Bainbridge began her career as an assistant stage manager at the Liverpool Playhouse, and went on to become a writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her acting career, about how, through writing to fill in the time, she became a successful novelist, and about her painting. She also chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.

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

Favourite track: Simple Little Melody by Oscar Straus Book: The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard Luxury: Old-fashioned diary with pens

John Dankworth Mar 02, 1986

Show notes

John Dankworth studied music at the Royal Academy when jazz was not an approved subject - "I used to pretend my saxophone was a bassoon when I put it in the left luggage department of the Academy".

In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his career as a jazz musician and composer, and about how he is trying to break down the musical barriers at the Stables in Wavendon and with his Summer Pops season at the Barbican.

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

Favourite track: When That I Was and A Little Tiny Boy by Cleo Laine Book: The Exchange & Mart Luxury: Solar-powered synthesizer

Selina Scott Feb 23, 1986

Show notes

Selina Scott's first job was as a journalist in Dundee. Her move into television came after a three-year stint promoting the island of Bute. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her career and about the different challenges she faced with the News at Ten and Breakfast Time.

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

Favourite track: The Lord Is My Shepherd by Glasgow Orpheus Choir Book: Hawk Moon by Sam Shepard Luxury: Hairbrush

Ben Kingsley Feb 16, 1986

Show notes

Ben Kingsley became a star almost overnight when he took the title role in the film Gandhi. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about the years before Gandhi, the difference fame made, his work in the theatre and his approach to a role like Othello.

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

Favourite track: Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams Luxury: Telescope

Bruce Oldfield Feb 09, 1986

Show notes

Bruce Oldfield has achieved an international reputation as a fashion designer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing, first by a foster mother, then in one of Dr Barnado's homes, about his art college days and the problems of breaking into the fashion world.

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

Favourite track: The Magic Flute Act 1 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: The Destinies of Darcy Dancer, Gentleman by J P Donleavy Luxury: Cigarettes

Dennis Taylor Feb 02, 1986

Show notes

Dennis Taylor became the world snooker champion in a dramatic match against Steve Davis last April. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he describes his childhood in County Tyrone, Jim-Joe Gervin's billiard hall where he first took up snooker, and how he became a professional.

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

Favourite track: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by The Platters Book: Joke book Luxury: Limitless supply of yoghurt

Roy Hattersley Jan 26, 1986

Show notes

The Rt Hon Roy Hattersley MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, talks to Michael Parkinson about his upbringing in Yorkshire, his parliamentary career and his sporting enthusiasms. He also 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]

Favourite track: Jerusalem by Parry/Blake Book: Shakespearean Tragedy by A C Bradley Luxury: Boy writer's set

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