 |
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy Spall
Timothy Spall grew up in Battersea, South London. He found school pretty uninspiring and left with art as his only qualification. However, when he played the part of the Cowardly Lion in the school production of The Wizard of Oz, aged 16, he felt he had found his niche. He says "it had a good big audience and they just laughed, and when I came out to do my bow they gave me a big cheer. Something went off in my head then."
He had a natural talent, and soon found a place at RADA. Within a year he was snapped up by the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he played key roles such as Andre in Chekhov's The Three Sisters, a role which he was amazed to take over from Ian McKellan. It was a huge learning period and the critics weren't going to cut him any slack just because he was straight out of drama school. He says "You're up there playing with the big boys so you learn pretty quick!"
His first TV part was as the Brummie builder, Barry, in Auf Weidersehen Pet in 1983 and he has had many TV roles since: Our Mutual Friend and Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise both earned him Best Actor nominations at the Baftas.
His role in the Mike Leigh's Secrets and Lies won him critical acclaim, as well as two best actor nominations, at the Baftas and at the London Film Critic Circle. He has also been sought by Hollywood, recently appearing in the blockbuster Vanilla Sky. He won best actor at Prix d'Italia and Cinema Tout Ecran awards for the television drama Shooting the Past and was awarded the OBE in 2000.
1. A New Fangled Tango
Performer: Lena Horne with the Nat Brandwynne Orchestra, conductor Lennie Hayton
Composer: Karr/Dubey
Publisher: RCA Corporation
CD Title: Lena Horne at the Waldorf Astoria
Band: LP S2 T 4
Label: RCA
Rec No: INTS 5053
2. When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Performer: Al Jolson
Composer: Thornton
Publisher: MCA Records
CD Title: 20 More Golden Greats Al Jolson
Band: LP S2 T 6
Label: MCA
Rec No: MCTV 5
3. Ziggy Stardust
Performer: David Bowie
Composer: David Bowie
Publisher: EMI Records
CD Title: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Band: CD T4
Label: EMI
Rec No: CDP 794180 2
4. For Unto Us a Son is Born
Performer: Monteverdi Choir conducted by John Eliot Gardiner
Composer: Handel
Publisher: Philips
CD Title: Messiah
Band: CD1 T12
Label: Philips
Rec No: 434 298-2 & 299-2
5. Mary's Prayer
Performer: Danny Wilson
Composer: Danny Wilson
Publisher: Virgin Records Ltd
CD Title: Meet Danny Wilson
Band: CD T3
Label: VIRGIN
Rec No: CDV 2419
6. Dido's Lament
Performer: Victoria De Los Angeles with the English Chamber Orchestra, conductor Sir John Barbirolli
Composer: Purcell
Publisher: EMI Records
CD Title: Dido and Aeneas
Band: CD1 T37
Label: EMI
Rec No CDM 565664 2
7. Cowboy Dreams
Performer: Jimmy Nail
Composer: Paddy McAloon
Publisher: EMI Publishing
CD Title: Cowboy Dreams
Band: CD T1
Label: Eastwest
Rec No: YZ 878 CD
8. Swimming in Your Ocean
Performer: The Crash Test Dummies
Composer: Brad Roberts
Publisher: BMG Music
CD Title: The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead
Band: CD T4
Label: RCA
Rec No: 74321 27676 2
If Timothy could take just one record it would be No 5, Mary's Prayer.
His book, apart from The Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare, would be The Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens.
His luxury would be a drum kit.
Check out the Message Board
|
|
|
RELATED LINKS
|
|
|
|
|
