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 PietÃ
Producer: Leanne Buckle.
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Music Played
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Noël Coward
There are Bad Times Just Around the Corner
- Legends of the 20th Century: Noel Coward.
- EMI.
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Charles Trenet
Boum!
- The Very Best of Charles Trenet: The Extraordinary Garden.
- EMI.
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Castaway's Favourite
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Frederick Loewe & Alan Jay Lerner
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face from My Fair Lady
- Hi de Hi.
- ´óÏó´«Ã½.
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Hubert Parry
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Lyricist: John Greenleaf Whittier.- Praise to the Lord.
- Helios.
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Carl Davis
Warning: Man in Uniform
- The Vackees.
- The Godolphin and Latymer School.
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William Shakespeare
The Speech to the Senate from Othello
- Homage to Shakespeare.
- ARGO.
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Stephen Sondheim
With so Little To be Sure of
- Zipp! /Gyles Brandreth.
- Must Close Saturday.
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Arthur Sullivan
the High Aesthetic Line
Librettist: William Gilbert.- Patience – D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
- London.
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Book Choice
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The Complete plays of Anton Chekhov - Anton Chekhov
Luxury Choice
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Michelangelo's Pieta
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Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Kirsty Young |
Interviewed Guest | Gyles Brandreth |
Broadcasts
- Sun 9 Jan 2011 11:15´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4
- Fri 14 Jan 2011 09:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 FM
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Archive 2011-2015—Desert Island Discs
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