 |
|
|
|
|
PROGRAMME INFO |
|
|
|
|
|
Desert Island Discs is one of Radio 4's most popular and enduring programmes. Created by Roy Plomley in 1942, the format is simple: each week a guest is invited by Sue Lawley to choose the eight records they would take with them to a desert island.
The discussion of their choice is a device for them to review their life. They also choose a favourite book (excluding the Bible or other religious work and Shakespeare - these already await the "castaway") and a luxury which must be inanimate and have no practical use. |
|
|
|
|
LISTEN AGAIN |
|
|
|
|
PRESENTER |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Sue's biography
- Sue's interview
- Quiz about Sue |
|
|
|
"Lawley's consensual, almost sensual probing, producing an ambiguous bond like that between hostage and hostage-taker, is ... a masterpiece of technique."
The Sunday Times 17 March 1996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROGRAMME DETAILS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sue Johnston, actress
Sue Johnston has rarely been out of work since she made her name in Brookside. Her versatility is clear, with credits including such varied programmes as acclaimed drama Goodbye Cruel World; the 50s feel-good nostalgia series Sex, Chips and Rock 'n' Roll; cult comedy The Royle Family and, most recently, psychological thriller Waking the Dead (pictured above).
Her early career was with the Pilkington Glass Factory, where she got a job in the pensions department specifically so she could join their amateur dramatics group. After rebelling against her parents wishes and attending drama school in London, Sue acted in repertory theatre until her mid-30s.
Having a son brought new responsibilities and realising, the bonus of a regular income and regular hours, she auditioned for Brookside. She became a household name and recognised as "Sheila Grant" wherever she went. She left after eight years and never looked back: her first role was as a motor neurone sufferer in Goodbye Cruel World, for which she was Bafta nominated and she has been in demand ever since.
She was also Bafta nominated for her role as lovable put-upon mum Barbara in The Royle Family, which in 2000 and 1998 won British Comedy Awards.
1. Lay Lady Lay
Performer: Bob Dylan
Composer: Bob Dylan
Publisher: Sony Music Ltd
CD Title: The Essential Bob Dylan
Band: CD 1, T 18
Label: Columbia
Rec No: STVCD 116/A & B
2. Summertime Blues
Performer: Eddie Cochran
Composer: Capehart/Cochran
Publisher: Liberty Records
CD Title: The Best Rock and Roll Album in the World Ever
Band: CD 2, T 2
Label: Virgin
Rec No: VTDCD 37/A&B
3. You'll Never Walk Alone
Performer: Gerry and the Pacemakers
Composer: Rogers/Hammerstein
Publisher: EMI Music Publishing Ltd
CD Title: The Very Best of Gerry and the Pacemakers
Band: T 9
Label: Music for Pleasure
Rec No: CDMFP 5654
4. Twist and Shout
Performer: The Beatles
Composer: Bert Russell, Phil Medley
Publisher: Apple
CD Title: The Beatles Anthology
Band: CD 2, T 3
Label: Apple
Rec No: CDPCSP 727/A & B
5. Tannhauser
Performer: The Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, conductor Gerd Albrecht
Composer: Wagner
Publisher: Chandos
CD Title Wagner: Overtures & Preludes
Band: T 3
Label: Chandos
Rec No: CHAN 9870
6. You Can Call Me Al
Performer: Paul Simon
Composer: Paul Simon
Publisher: Warner
CD Title: The Paul Simon Anthology
Band: CD 2, T 6
Label: Warner
Rec No 9362-45408-2/ A&B
7. Fairytale of New York
Performer: The Pogues
Composer: MacGowan/Finer
Publisher: WEA Records
CD Title: The Pogues: If I Should Fall From Grace With God
Band: T 4
Label: Pogue Mahone
Rec No: 244 493-2
8. Love Walked In
Performer: Dinah Washington and Brook Benton
Composer: G Gershwin/I Gershwin
Publisher: Eden-Music Corp/ New York Times Music
CD Title: Dinah Washington and Brook Benton
Band: Side 1, T 4
Label: Mercury
Rec No: 6463 181
If Sue could take just one record it would be No 3, You'll Never Walk Alone.
Her book, apart from The Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare, would be Dickens by Peter Ackroyd.
Her luxury would be BBC Radio 5 Live.
Check out the Message Board
|
|
|
RELATED LINKS
|
|
|
|
|
