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Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies.

At 97, the actress Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies reflects with interest on the prospect of being castaway and, in conversation with Sue Lawley, looks back over her long career. With a head well-stocked with music - and ringing with Shakespeare - she is determined to survive. But she isn't proposing to be castaway for long. She's already plotting a plan of escape. In the meantime, she looks back on her long and fascinating career in the theatre, which began with advice from Ellen Terry, took her into the Gaiety Chorus (at the back) and eventually, after success in The Immortal Hour, to some of the great Shakespearian roles.

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

Favourite track: Liebestod (from Tristan and Isolde) by Richard Wagner
Luxury: Large bottle of toilet water

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 1 Sep 1989 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Quintet in A major 'Trout' - 4th movement

    Soloist: Emil Gilels Orchestra: The Amadeus Quartet

  • Gustav Mahler

    Ich hab' ein glΓΌehend Messer (from Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen)

    Soloist: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Orchestra: Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 6 in F major 'Pastoral' - 5th movement (Shepherds' Song)

    Orchestra: The Philharmonia Orchestra

  • Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies

    Fair Is The Moonlight (from The Immortal Hour)

  • Sir John Gielgud

    Journey of the Magi

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Concerto for Two Violins in D minor

    Soloist: Perlman/Stern Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Trumpeters of the Royal Military School of Music

    Fanfare from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Liebestod (from Tristan und Isolde)

      Soloist: Kirsten Flagstad Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Luxury Choice

    • Large bottle of toilet water

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies

Broadcasts

  • Sun 19 Jun 1988 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 24 Jun 1988 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 27 Aug 1989 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 1 Sep 1989 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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