Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Actress with a six-decade career in radio, theatre, television, and film, particularly known for key supporting roles.
On the island
Eight records
Auf dem Wasser zu singen, D. 774
Felicity Lott and Graham Johnson
My first piece of music, I would like to wake up to on my island because I think it would put me in a good frame of mind ... waking me up to a new day and I wouldn't be depressed on my island if I heard them first thing.
Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat major, K. 595 (3rd movement)
Clifford Curzon, English Chamber Orchestra and Benjamin Britten
He came to my school. And I got to know him later. I was very fortunate. He became my friend, our friend. I've heard so many wonderful performances of this. But the wit and the elevation, if you like, I mean, would just raise my spirits. I'd be simply off the ground with delight listening to him.
Symphony No. 5 in D major (3rd movement: Romanza)Favourite
London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ralph Vaughan Williams
It was a great revelation to me, this. I was in the lower depths of the B B C, having been bombed, bombed, bombed all the way along the war and machine gun and the whole lot. And um someone put on this symphony. And at the time the V1s were falling all round here. And I just felt everything was going to be all right.
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 'Waldstein' (final movement)
Paul Lewis. is a great pianist. I think he's already great and he's still quite young. And he has the same quality as Clifford Curzon in that he is the music speaks through him.
I would like to have Peter Cook. who made me laugh so much, and Cecil, when we went to Beyond the Fringe we went twice, I laughed so much. That I threw my head back and hit the knees of whoever it was in the row behind.
The lot of my heart is in France, and always has been. A country I love, a language I love, like my own. I think I might cry while this is on because I miss France every day of my life, but anyhow let's have it.
String Quartet No. 2 'Intimate Letters' (final movement)
I went to see a movie in which my son played the lead in a film of the unbearable likeness of being. And the score of the film was all Janacek, different works. And I was knocked sideways. I came out into Leicester Square, it was still daylight. I was absolutely knocked sideways. It was so exciting.
Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)
I love her voice. And Cole Porter, Cecil always thought the same. I mean, he's such a poet. I mean, the words it's not just the music which I adore, which I do, and tune after tune after tune, how do they do it? And I wanted something that was fun.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:46How do you feel about being referred to as first of all daughter of, then wife of, then mother of?
I'm very proud to have been all those things. ... And I didn't feel like second fiddle even if I was fourth fiddle. I didn't feel like that. But at the same time, I had to make my own way.
Presenter asks
2:10Do you feel that being referred to in relation to others compromised people's appreciation of your own achievements as an actress?
Oh, I think so. And I think although perhaps people were willing to see me when I was looking for work, they thought I was a little rich girl and I had to try to prove I had some talent. It was hard.
Presenter asks
10:25What sort of man was your father [Sir Michael Balcon]?
Very strong, very powerful. ... Wanted to control, and he wouldn't have been the man he was at Ealing or anywhere else if he hadn't been a remarkable producer. But sometimes one has to get out from underneath ... and make one's own
The keepsakes
The luxury
Presenter asks
22:16How did you overcome the complications of getting involved with Cecil [C. Day Lewis] when he was in a difficult marriage and having an affair?
I'm not answering it directly because I can remember thinking, well, I have no expectations. But it ... He chose me. And that was very difficult for him, and, as you can imagine, very difficult for my father.
Presenter asks
23:03What was your family's response [to your relationship with Cecil]?
Oh, terrible. You know, a divorced man, a poet with very little money, the whole thing. And um never once did my father say, Oh, I'm so glad you're happy, but my mother, who, as I've said, was interested in um poetry in her youth, realized that I was, of course, interested, and had given me several of his books.
Presenter asks
29:02Did you find out things you didn't know during the writing of Cecil's biography?
Yes, because a lot of other people had kept letters, had archives. ... said words which may not be true, but which hurt me very much. ... all the affairs and um Course I can't ask him. He would have been very reassuring, I'm sure. He wouldn't have wanted to hurt. He never did. But that's what happens. It's the case, of course, that he always.
“I listen to five hours of music every day not consecutively, naturally,'cause I've got a lot of other things to do. So it is with words the music and words are my lifeline.”
“I've often thought about this, and I sometimes think that. Being a performer is really asking for parental approval. Especially when you think you might not be about to get it.”
“I loved him so much I would have done anything in order to spend my life with him.”
“There were times when I felt am I just another in the chain? I just happened to be lucky in that I was married to him and had two wonderful children, but It's very difficult being exposed and exposing him and trying to be truthful.”