Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Actor, best known for a long career on stage and screen.
On the island
Eight records
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 – III. Adagio
It seems to sum up to me coming from... The northeast coast of Scotland sums up that the wonderful rich middle belt of England.
I began acting when I was twenty in 1928. In 1934 I went to America... I loved America enormously at that time.
Quintet from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
...it was the first Wagner opera I heard... Wagner's been near one all one's life. The Meistersinger was the gayest partner... That's why I like it.
Nights in the Gardens of Spain
Well, I think all Scotsmen have a nostalgia for Europe, and particularly for the heat of Spain and France, colour and things. This seems to focus the general feeling I have for this part of the world.
String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major, Op. 130 – III. Andante con moto (ma non troppo)
I've chosen this because this is pure music, it seems to me. And in my desert island, I'd like a piece of pure music to relate to other pieces of music to.
The Rite of Spring (closing passage)
The first time I heard this record I was practically driven out of my seat by the sheer physical energy of it, its sensuality. It's primitive quality. And this is why I have chosen it as a contrast to these others.
Reading from Paul's Letter to the Colossians (New English Bible)
Well, I find the New English Bible most moving and revealing in its insight... and it is wonderful. That's why I've chosen it.
Psalm 23 ('Crimond')Favourite
This takes me back to my native land, Scotland... The Glasgow Orpheus Choir would come up, with Sir Hugh Roberton conducting... I think you'll hear his voice on this recording.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:34Andrew, how successfully do you think you could adapt yourself to solitude?
Not very well. But I would.
Presenter asks
4:23What was your first job?
people thought I'd be a civil engineer, but... That wasn't very good at that.
Presenter asks
4:37What was it that decided you to become a professional?
the awareness that I would be no good as an engineer, but a sort of intuition that I might be... Tolerable as an actor, and that I had a voice, I could sing, I could stand, I had height, all these normal uh quantities which an actor was supposed to have.
Presenter asks
13:23Do you find you begin to identify with this character after portraying so many facets of him?
Identify, identify. I find myself growing mannerisms as to have mannerisms manners rather than mannerisms because one tries to avoid them becoming clichés.
The keepsakes
The book
Søren Kierkegaard
I'd like something that started thought in me. That wasn't a complete work of art such as a novel by Stondah or something like that. And for the last 20 years, I've been engrossed and fascinated by the thought of Kierkegaard. The Danish thinker. All through his life he kept a journal. Up a little A little more sort of thing. They're wonderfully evocative. They start thought in me all the time. And that is the book I have taken.
The luxury
Oh, I think because it has no relationship to anything. I think something like Uh Renoir's painting then. Bard the Follyberger. Right. Get a colour. That's what I like.
Presenter asks
13:56Are you worried that this identification with one character might harm your career?
Oh no, my career. Roy, I'm fifty-eight. What career I have? All I want to have is a nice, nice life doing the work I like doing.
Presenter asks
14:11Have you any professional ambitions so far unfulfilled?
No, no, no, no. My professional life, like my personal life, has been very happy.
“people thought I'd be a civil engineer, but... That wasn't very good at that.”
“the awareness that I would be no good as an engineer, but a sort of intuition that I might be... Tolerable as an actor, and that I had a voice, I could sing, I could stand, I had height, all these normal uh quantities which an actor was supposed to have.”
“the first time I heard this record I was practically driven out of my seat by the sheer physical energy of it, its sensuality. It's primitive quality. And this is why I have chosen it as a contrast to these others.”
“The 23rd Psalm sung by the Glasgow Orpheus Choir. This takes me back to my native land, Scotland.”
“for the last 20 years, I've been engrossed and fascinated by the thought of Kierkegaard, the Danish thinker... They start thought in me all the time. And that is the book I have taken.”