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Gyles Brandreth

Former MP and writer Gyles Brandreth joins Kirsty Young to choose his Desert Island Discs.

Kirsty Young's castaway is Gyles Brandreth.

A former Conservative MP, he is also a some-time actor, broadcaster and prolific writer who has authored biographies, diaries, stage plays and mysteries.

Pursuing a political career has been, he says, the over-riding ambition of his life. However the happiest moment came not from politics, but when he was performing in a West End show that he had written himself. These days, his ambitions are to return to the stage and the role he wants to take on is Chekhov's Uncle Vanya.

"I have no complaints" he says; "my life has been one long series of tomato and marmite sandwiches. I've always had what I wanted."

Record: I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face sung by Simon Cadell
Book: The Complete plays of Anton Chekhov
Luxury: Michelangelo's PietΓ 

Producer: Leanne Buckle.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 14 Jan 2011 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM

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Tony Iveson

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Rt Hon Alex Salmond

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Music Played

  • NoΓ«l Coward

    There are Bad Times Just Around the Corner

    • Legends of the 20th Century: Noel Coward.
    • EMI.

  • Charles Trenet

    Boum!

    • The Very Best of Charles Trenet: The Extraordinary Garden.
    • EMI.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Frederick Loewe & Alan Jay Lerner

      I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face from My Fair Lady

      • Hi de Hi.
      • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

  • Hubert Parry

    Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

    Lyricist: John Greenleaf Whittier.
    • Praise to the Lord.
    • Helios.

  • Carl Davis

    Warning: Man in Uniform

    • The Vackees.
    • The Godolphin and Latymer School.

  • William Shakespeare

    The Speech to the Senate from Othello

    • Homage to Shakespeare.
    • ARGO.

  • Stephen Sondheim

    With so Little To be Sure of

    • Zipp! /Gyles Brandreth.
    • Must Close Saturday.

  • Arthur Sullivan

    the High Aesthetic Line

    Librettist: William Gilbert.
    • Patience – D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
    • London.

  • Book Choice

    • The Complete plays of Anton Chekhov - Anton Chekhov

  • Luxury Choice

    • Michelangelo's Pieta

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Gyles Brandreth

Broadcasts

  • Sun 9 Jan 2011 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 14 Jan 2011 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM

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