Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Actor known for playing Mickey in 'Paddy the Next Best Thing' in weekly rep.
On the island
Eight records
the first record I ever possessed, and somebody broke it.
Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17: III. Romance
Vladimir Ashkenazy and André Previn
a record I've only just bought, actually.
Patricia Routledge and John Moffatt
to remember those touring days and those days in rep.
I would like Lena Horne singing a wonderful co-porter number after you.
I was lucky enough to be at the first night of Follies in New York, and I think I led the standing ovation for this number.
OvertureFavourite
I think it's the most exciting noise in the world.
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 63: II. Larghetto
Hallé Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli
while I'm on the island I think I shall be very homesick from time to time, and so I must have some Elgar.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:35Could you cope with loneliness for a long time?
Oh, yes, I think so. I think I might quite like it.
Presenter asks
2:33What influenced you, do you think, in becoming an actor?
I think I started to act… At a very early age, I think I um tended to act… Please people.
Presenter asks
3:16Why was that [that you didn't finish your course at RADA]?
Uh well, first of all, I thought I was going to get called up, but also I I was really not a very good student. I've always found it extremely difficult to act in a room, and also to act with with uh my colleagues looking at me. And I just longed to get away and to to to get in front of a real audience.
Presenter asks
17:26How did you set about learning [the Gospel of Mark]?
Very, very slowly. No, I I used to learn on average about three verses every morning.
The keepsakes
The book
George Meredith
what I think is the wittiest and most civilized book ever written, to contrast with the primitive island
The luxury
I think it's time I tried to paint, so I'd like unlimited paint and canvas, please
Presenter asks
18:09Are you a devout churchman?
No, I am not. But I am fascinated by the Gospels, and I am fascinated, I suppose, as an actor, by the character of Jesus. I am fascinated by the challenge of of of Christianity.
“I think in a sense, up to then I'd I'd been acting in order to Escape. From myself. I think after that trip to America I really became genuinely stage struck.”
“I was typecast for years and years, and I thought I'd never get away from it. And indeed it went on till I was about Till I was forty, and I think when I was forty I decided it really had to stop.”
“My father, I I suppose I inherited this from him. He had a a marvellously direct and irreverent approach to Christianity. He often spoke of Jesus as if he was a member of the family.”