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Patrick Stewart

Sue Lawley's castaway is actor Patrick Stewart.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the actor Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart had to wait a long time for fame. The Shakespearean actor was nearly 50 when he was offered the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Contrary to predictions, the programme was a huge hit, and Patrick Stewart's famously bald cranium was on posters, duvet covers and Star Trek memorabilia the world over. Patrick was born in Mirfield, Yorkshire, a town with a passion for amateur dramatics. The youngest of three brothers, he grew up watching performances by the all-female drama company to which his mother belonged. After a disastrous stint as a reporter, Patrick went on to work in repertory theatre around Britain, and then to a successful career with the RSC, during which he won an Olivier Awardfor his portrayal of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. After seven series at the helm of the Starship Enterprise, he has returned to Britain and to his first love, the theatre. He is currently appearing in David Mamet's A Life in the Theatre in London's West End.

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

Favourite track: Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings by Benjamin Britten
Book: A compendium of the world's best science fiction
Luxury: His beloved billiard table and a shed to keep it in

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Apr 2005 09:00

Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Benjamin Britten

      Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings

      Soloist: Peter Pears Orchestra: Boyd Neel String Orchestra Conductor: B. Britten

      • Britten Serenade, Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, B Britten.
      • Decca.
  • Leonard Bernstein

    On the Waterfront Suite

    Orchestra: Israel Philharmonic Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    • Bernstein Symphony No1 - Jeremiah - On the Waterfront.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • William Parry

    Everybody's Got the Right

    • Assassins Original Cast Recording.
    • RCA Victor.
  • Hector Berlioz

    Nuit d'ivresse et d'extase infinie (from The Trojans)

    Soloist: Jon Vickers Conductor: Sir Colin Davis Orchestra: The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

    • Les Troyens.
    • Philips.
  • Tom Lehrer

    So Long, Mom (A Song for World War III)

    • That was the Year that Was.
    • Reprise.
  • Fats Waller

    Hold Tight

    • Fats Waller Masterpieces 3 Jazz Archives.
    • Jazz Archives EPM.
  • Randy Newman

    Love Story (You and Me)

    • Randy Newman.
    • Reprise.
  • Brent Spiner

    It's a Sin to Tell a Lie

    • Ol' Yellow Eyes is Back.
    • Bay Cities.
  • Book Choice

    • A compendium of the world's best science fiction

  • Luxury Choice

    • His beloved billiard table and a shed to keep it in

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Patrick Stewart

Broadcasts

  • Sun 17 Apr 2005 11:15
  • Fri 22 Apr 2005 09:00

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