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Sir Terence Conran

Sue Lawley's castaway is interior designer Sir Terence Conran.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the designer and entrepreneur Terence Conran. He first came to fame with the Habitat store which introduced British shoppers to consumer delights like the chicken brick and the duvet. Now considered one of the country's most successful restaurateurs - he currently owns seven restaurants and is involved in designing another 17 - he'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his original foray into the restaurant world. His first venture was called The Soup Kitchen - and, misled by its name, attracted all the local tramps on its opening night.

He'll also be describing how Picasso bought one of the first chairs he designed. Finally, he'll be talking about how, after a somewhat tumultuous personal life, he now feels he has achieved some sort of equanimity.

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

Favourite track: Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert Part One by Keith Jarrett
Book: History of the World by H G Wells
Luxury: An endless supply of A4 paper and 4B pencils

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 6 Sep 1996 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Anita Lasker-Wallfisch

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Professor Colin Blakemore

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Music Played

  • Marilyn Monroe

    Some Like It Hot

    • The Essential Recording.
    • Music Club.

  • Johann Pachelbel

    Canon in D major

    • Pachelbel: Canon Und Gigue U.A..
    • Archiv.

  • Gregorio Allegri

    Miserere

    Performer: Roy Goodman. Choir: Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. Conductor: Sir David Willcocks.
    • The World of King’s.
    • Decca.

  • Markus Reinhardt

    Nuages

    • Django Reihnardt.
    • RCA Classics.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Music for the Royal Fireworks - Overture

    • Handel: Music For The Royal Fireworks.
    • Philips.

  • Gertrude Lawrence

    Mad About The Boy

    • Noel Coward And Gertrude Lawrence.
    • Flapper.

  • Desmond Dekker

    You Can Get It If You Really Want It

    • The Roots Of Reggae - Various Artists.
    • Music Club.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Keith Jarrett

      The Köln Concert Part 1

      • Keith Jarrett - The Koln Concert.
      • ECM.

  • Book Choice

    • History of the World - H G Wells

  • Luxury Choice

    • An endless supply of A4 paper and 4B pencils

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Terence Conran

Broadcasts

  • Sun 1 Sep 1996 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 6 Sep 1996 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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