Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
An actress known for stage work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, and for the TV series Love Hurts.
On the island
Eight records
I have to have rock and roll and this sympathy for the devil is real rock and roll.
Requiem (Messa da Requiem)Favourite
It reminds me of Doing a play called After Aida with the Welsh National Opera … And it was the first time I'd ever been on the stage with four singers. And it was the most wonderful experience in many ways because I was with Ian Charlson, who's now dead, who was a dear, dear friend. … it gave you goosebumps uh listening to it.
It was difficult to choose from this album, particularly which one, when I've landed on Freddy Freeloader, because it's a great title.
Adagio from String Quintet in C major, D. 956
Alban Berg Quartet, Heinrich Schiff
It reminds me of Dad. … His love of music. And when he was dying, this was something that I played a lot. For myself. And it has something about him in it.
Partita No. 1 in B-flat major, BWV 825 (beginning)
I just love. This genius. … And he sings with it, which is um and this is somebody embodying the music as well as his talent.
it's a rather wry, funny little song.
Symphony No. 9 (final movement)
Berlin Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan
I first heard this piece of music. In Manchester at a concert. And I read the programme notes about it and it was written when Mahler knew he was dying. And it has in it. Such anger, such love, such Hope. Incredible passion. When Dad died. I went home and Put this on.
Just because there's another genius and It's a wonderful song. And you want genius on your own.
In conversation
Presenter asks
4:47It seems to me that you've always worried about your looks. Is that fair?
Yes, it's good. It comes up a lot now, I think 'cause I once gave an interview a about it when I was quite young and revealed that fact. I think we're all worried about, as you say, being actors because we are the product. The product is us. … I felt insecure about it. … I still can't watch myself on television. … I have to go out of the room sometimes or put my hands in front of my face.
Presenter asks
11:25Your parents thought acting was soul-destroying, particularly for a woman. Why did they think that?
Because it is. It is a struggle, also because rejection is something that you have to deal with. A lot and I think they just won't want it to protect me from that. … I think they were concerned that I may not be good enough. Which is fine. That's totally understandable.
Presenter asks
14:49The name Wanamaker must have made it a bit easier in the profession, didn't it?
I don't know. I think it made it more difficult for me in the sense that I felt I had something to live up to. … When I was at drama school I asked Dad … I said I'm thinking of changing my name and he said why? Are you ashamed of me? Well, there's no answer to that.
The keepsakes
The book
Robert Graves
I think it would be The Greek myths. Robert Graves's books because especially on a desert island it's something that I keep forgetting who is who. about the Greek myths, they're also so full of life. and Lessons to be learnt from life.
The luxury
Samson tobacco, Rizla liquorice papers, and a rolling machine
Take my constant supply of Sampson tobacco and Ritzler licorice papers and a rolling machine.
Presenter asks
16:54You mentioned having horrible demons on your shoulder pointing out your inadequacies. What sort of things did they say?
It is a criticism that keeps coming, like a little person sitting on on your shoulder saying, No, that's wrong, or don't do this, or don't do that. And it got in the way when I was working. … so that my concentration would be tripped. By this voice in the back of my head.
Presenter asks
21:35You're not married and don't have children. People will always ask questions about that. How do you deal with public interest in your private life?
I don't enjoy that at all, no. … I could no more be like Tessa than fly to the moon. … It's nobody's business really.
Presenter asks
25:10Did your father's death make you think hard about euthanasia? Did you wish the doctors would put an end to his suffering?
Definitely, and I think that's what he wanted. He was very pragmatic about it, wanted it. … It has made me strongly convinced that a man of his intelligence and strength and his wish should be denied him. It has made me very strongly believe in euthanasia.
“I still can't watch myself on television. … I have to go out of the room sometimes or put my hands in front of my face.”
“He felt that an actor was that um your body is your instrument and it has to be kept in tune. An actor should be an acrobat, a juggler, it should be able to dance and sing and and so therefore you have to be fit for that.”
“It is a criticism that keeps coming, like a little person sitting on on your shoulder saying, No, that's wrong, or don't do this, or don't do that. And it got in the way when I was working.”
“It has made me strongly convinced that a man of his intelligence and strength and his wish should be denied him. It has made me very strongly believe in euthanasia.”
“The Greek myths … they're also so full of life and Lessons to be learnt from life.”