Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Costume and creature effects designer best known for creating Harry Potter's Pets, the In the Night Garden cast, 23,000 Olympic costumes, Lady Gaga's Monster Ba
On the island
Eight records
Instrumental theme tune. Includes bongos. Chosen for its association with Tracy Island and childhood memories; she wants to imagine being on Tracy Island. Family connection: her sister's godfather was the voice of Virgil in Thunderbird 2.
Leonard Bernstein (music), Stephen Sondheim (lyrics)
From West Side Story. Chosen because her father performed this recording; not the original London cast recording but one where her father sang the lead.
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral' – Finale (Ode to Joy)
Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Singverein
Chosen for its combination of symphonic and choral elements; something she can sing along to loudly.
From the film Brazil (directed by Terry Gilliam). Chosen because she loves the track, especially the whistling; she likes to request it from pianists wherever she goes.
Chosen for its energy and sense of community — reminds her of being around people and their noise. Would be good 'invigorating morning music' on the island.
Chosen as late afternoon/night-time dance music — a chance to dance freely and feel free, alone on the island with a fire going.
EclipseFavourite
Chosen as a sunset track. Used in the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony. Makes her feel connected to the cosmos.
Chosen for its mathematical, 'modern Mozart' quality and its calmness. Reminds her of cities/New York; she will miss being a Londoner.
In conversation
Presenter asks
2:44What did you want the stage version of Paddington to embody?
Well, we looked at Peggy [Fortnum's] illustrations and sort of created this quite delicate bear who left a few gaps in your imagination. He's not quite real, he's not quite a toy… by having him slightly ambiguous in that way, we kind of think that your mind or your emotions can kind of fill the gaps.
Presenter asks
9:03Your dad was in the original production of West Side Story at Her Majesty's Theatre. What do you remember about [his place] The Blue Kettle in Islington?
It was an extraordinary building and it had huge kind of beautiful floorboards and hatches that you could drop things down. There was even a dumb waiter from when it was a cafe, and he did it up and made it very, very beautiful.
Presenter asks
18:23You were diagnosed with dyslexia as a kid. How did you feel about yourself and what was your approach to learning?
It was difficult, actually. If you're a kid who's got a really good memory and can do school easily, you're going to feel great about yourself. If you're the child who has lots of different skills and is told that they're not in the top set or that they can't do this and can't do that, they're not going to feel great about themselves. That was me.
The keepsakes
The book
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (compendium)
Douglas Adams
I think I could look at and read many beautiful books, but something that is kind of of my era, of my time. I listen to it on the radio, I watch the TV series, I worked on the film. ... And its friendly words saying don't panic on the front would be very good for me on the island, I think.
The luxury
Anti-humidity cabinet with sketchbooks and art supplies
I'd love some time to think and I'd love some time to write something and to draw some things. So I think I just want some really good sketch books. ... I would also like a cabinet that would keep a constant humidity that I could store my sketchbooks in if that is allowed.
Presenter asks
36:01How did you approach [what you were going through with your husband James's cancer]?
I stopped working to kind of be with him and look after him. … He managed to kind of keep himself going by drawing, which he could do sitting down anywhere. So he did that as best as he could whenever he could. And I just stopped and we spent time together. And it was lovely, actually. Even the worst of times and best of times.
Presenter asks
40:01What kept you going during that time and also after he died?
My lovely mother and sister and my Alexi, my half-sister, you know, and we've got much closer as a result of going through that time.
Presenter asks
43:12What kind of place [on the island] are you hoping for?
I think I need to find something to cut things so I can make things, make a little nest for myself. On the survival front, I think I'd be fine. … I might have different moods, so I maybe have some different camps at different sides of the island.
“It feels like everyone needs a nice furry Paddington to love and have in their lives and um when things get a bit tough.”
“I didn't really fit in until I kind of grew up enough to be confident enough to know who I was or could be.”
“[James] climbed out of the scree of Mount Etna with his prosthetic leg and with a few people and they all gave him a big round of applause at the top.”
“I would put on Eclipse by Pink Floyd and I will feel part and connected to the wonderful cosmos of the world and feel quite small but quite big at the same time and just take it all in.”