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Ruthie Henshall

Kirsty Young's castaway is West End star Ruthie Henshall.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the actress Ruthie Henshall. A West End and Broadway star she has performed in many of the most successful productions of the past twenty years, including Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and Chicago. On stage she has left audiences and reviewers breathless at the dazzling brilliance of her performances. But, off-stage, her life has often been defined more by shade than light.

In this moving interview she talks openly about the abuse she endured as a child and the depression she suffered as an adult. She speaks too of her grief after the death of her "warm and brilliant" sister Noel last year and of the lasting impact Noel has had on her life. Now, Ruthie's happily married with two young daughters but, of the dark days behind her, she says, "I'd spent so many years entertaining and pretending everything was alright, but no matter where you get to it's never enough: you're always looking for the next thing."

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

Favourite track: Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy
Book: The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde
Luxury: A jar of Hellman's mayonnaise.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Aug 2008 09:00

Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Eva Cassidy

      Over the Rainbow

      • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 presents the Playlist.
      • Virgin.
  • Barbra Streisand

    Children Will Listen (from Sondheim's Into the Woods)

    • Back to Broadway.
    • Columbia.
  • Bob Gaudio

    For Good

    • Wicked: Original Broadway Cast.
    • Universal.
  • Ann Christine Lofgren

    The Lord's Prayer

    • African Sanctus.
    • Proprius.
  • Leona Lewis

    Footprints in the Sand

    • Better in Time/Footprints in the Sand.
    • Syco.
  • Van Tramp

    Something

    • Van Tramp.
    • Gene Pool.
  • Kate Bush

    This Woman's Work

    • All Woman 2.
    • Quality Television.
  • Faith Hill

    There Will Come a Day

    • Breathe.
    • Warner.
  • Book Choice

    • The Selfish Giant - Oscar Wilde

  • Luxury Choice

    • A jar of Hellman’s mayonnaise

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Ruthie Henshall

Broadcasts

  • Sun 17 Aug 2008 11:15
  • Fri 22 Aug 2008 09:00

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