Desert Island Discs

Topol began his acting career almost by accident while he was doing his army service in Israel. He had wanted to be a printer and live on a kibbutz. His success as Tevye in the musical The Fiddler on the Roof, both in London and in the film, brought him international acclaim and he has gone on to make many more films, but he still returns regularly to Israel to work.In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Those Were The Nights by Esther Ofarim With Orchestra Book: Great Treasury of Western Thought by Mortimer J Adler Luxury: Artist's kit

Mollie Harris was brought up in Oxfordshire and her books of reminiscences about life in the country are very popular. For the past thirteen years she has been a regular member of the cast of The Archers, in which she takes the part of Martha Woodford. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her fascinating life and chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong Book: The five-volume works by Anthony Wood Luxury: Union Jack

Rosemary Sutcliff began her career as a painter of miniatures and some of her work was shown at the Royal Academy. Since turning to writing, she has produced 43 books, most of which are historical novels for children. She particularly enjoys setting them in Roman Britain. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her career, about the difficulties caused by arthritis since she was a child and she chooses the eight records that she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams Book: Kim by Rudyard Kipling Luxury: Flowers delivered daily by bottle

Ian Richardson has spent much of his acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. But, in recent years, he has made an impact on television in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Eyeless in Gaza and with his portrayal of Montgomery in Churchill and the Generals. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Henry V Suite - The Agincourt Song by William Walton Book: Book of quotations Luxury: Large supply of paper and pencils

Lionel Hampton is one of the legendary figures of the jazz world. For most of his career, he has led his own bands, although for a while he did play with Benny Goodman. His main instrument is the vibraharp, but there is always a second drum kit on stage for him to perform on, and he also plays the piano and sings.In conversation with Roy Plomley, this versatile musician talks about his long career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Memories Of You by Louis Armstrong Book: Science and Health, with a Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy Luxury: Tape recorder

Charlotte Lamb first started to write in 1970 after doing a series of different jobs, including working in a bank and for the BBC. Since then, she has written over 60 romantic novels, some of them under different names, and she has become one of the most popular novelists of that genre. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her work and chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Brandenburg Concerto No 4 In G Major by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Luxury: Typewriter and paper

Paul Jones first made his name as the lead singer with the group Manfred Mann. Later, he formed the Blues Band, but in the meantime he had started a second career as an actor when he appeared in the film Privilege. Since then, he has played Hamlet, Cassio in Othello and Macheath in The Beggar's Opera, and he even finds time to do session work on his harmonica.In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about the many facets of his career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Libiamo Ne'Lieti Calici by Giuseppe Verdi Book: Political works and music criticism by George Bernard Shaw Luxury: Harmonica

Cindy Buxton made several successful wildlife films in Africa for television. Then, in 1978, she decided to film on the Falkland Islands and managed to persuade Annie Price to give up photographing children to become her assistant. In conversation with Roy Plomley, they talk about their experiences, about their life during the invasion, and they choose the four records each which they would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Sailing by Rod Stewart Book: A book on explorers and Jonathan Livingstone's Seagull by Richard Bach Luxury: Cow and a box of soap

Malcolm Bradbury is Professor of American Studies at the University of East Anglia, but he is better known perhaps for his novels, The History Man and Eating People is Wrong, and for his academic books on literature. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Don Giovanni Act 1 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: If on a Winter's Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino Luxury: Word processor

Peter Bull has become known in recent years as a teddy bear expert and the owner of Aloysius who appeared in Brideshead Revisited, but he has also had a long career as an actor, notably in plays such as Luther and Waiting for Godot. He has also made several forays into theatrical management. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his diverse career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Slowly Slowly by Lola Tsakiri Book: Brideshead Revisited (in Greek) by Evelyn Waugh Luxury: Crystal ball

Sir Frederick Gibberd includes among his designs a bridge, Liverpool Cathedral, the mosque in Regent's Park and Harlow New Town, but he says of himself "had I been less interested in people and more interested in building a monument, I'd probably have been a better architect".In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career, his enthusiasm for landscape gardening, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Marriage of Figaro Act 3 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Scrapbook of poetry Luxury: Bottle of sleeping tablets

Keith Waterhouse started his writing career on the Yorkshire Evening Post but it was not long before he had a huge success with a novel - Billy Liar. For many years, in a prolific partnership with Willis Hall, he wrote plays, television scripts and screenplays, although now he concentrates on his novels and his regular columns in Punch and the Daily Mirror. In conversation with Roy Plomley, this versatile writer talks about his career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Guys and Dolls (Title Song) by The Guys and Dolls Orchestra Book: A year's supply of the Exchange & Mart Luxury: Solar-powered television, video and eight films

John Gunter has been a set designer in the theatre for many years, but his astounding sets for two productions at the National Theatre - Guys and Dolls and The Rivals - have focused attention on him. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career as a designer and of its many problems, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Symphony No 1 in B Flat Minor by William Walton Book: The complete works by Flann O'Brien Luxury: More William Walton records

Sir John Pritchard, now Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, has worked with many orchestras in many countries, but he remembers above all the many happy summers he spent with Glyndebourne Opera, where he started as a repetiteur and eventually became the Musical Director. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his long career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Don Giovanni Act 2 Scene 5 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Lucia novels by E F Benson Luxury: Italian wine

Julian Bream first played the guitar on radio in Children's Hour when he was only 13. This led to guest appearances in a series on the Light Programme, and so his career took off. Before long he also took up the lute and played his part in the revival of interest in early music. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his long career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Terry Jones first became well-known as one of the performers in Monty Python's Flying Circus in 1969. He had spent several years before that as a television script writer. More recently, he has been directing the Monty Python feature films, writing books and hosting a television chat show.In conversation with Roy Plomley, he discusses these multifarious activities and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Five Salted Peanuts by Tony Pastor and his Orchestra Book: The complete works by Geoffrey Chaucer Luxury: Pencil and paper

Peter Maxwell Davies is not only a prolific composer, he is also Director of Music at Dartington Hall Summer School and Director of the Fires of London, a group specialising in twentieth-century music which he conducts on their many concert tours. Most of his composing is done in the tranquillity and isolation of his home in the Orkneys.In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about the various facets of his life and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Agnes Dei by Byrd Book: Ulysses by James Joyce Luxury: Music manuscript paper and pens

Fleur Cowles began her career as a columnist on one of the New York papers and before long she became the Associate Editor of the magazine Look. She became very influential and, in 1953, President Eisenhower asked her to be his personal ambassador to the UK for the Coronation. Before long, she made her home here and took up writing books and painting professionally. She has since had 34 exhibitions of her work. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her fascinating life and chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Promenade & Tulleries by Modest Mussorgsky Book: Blank paper Luxury: Painting materials

Sir Peter Pears has been acknowledged for many years as an outstanding interpreter of the vocal music of Benjamin Britten. He also helped Britten to found the Aldeburgh Festival and he still takes an active part in the running of it.In conversation with Roy Plomley, Sir Peter talks about his long career and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Sprig Of Thyme by Benjamin Britten Book: A book by E.M Forster Luxury: Painting from his collection

Raymond Briggs began his career as an illustrator after studying art at the Slade School. He first achieved fame through his picture books for children, Father Christmas and Fungus the Bogeyman, but has since moved into the adult world with When the Wind Blows, in which an elderly couple struggle to survive a nuclear attack.As he told Roy Plomley when they met to choose his eight records, he has now turned this most recent picture book into a stage play.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Boogie Rocks by Albert Ammons Rhythm Kings Book: The complete works by Beachcomber Luxury: Billiard table with snooker balls and cue

Roy Plomley's castaway is actress Sinead Cusack.Favourite track: Concerto in G Minor No. 1 by Max Bruch Book: Novels by John Le Carre Luxury: Writing materials

Roy Plomley's castaway is broadcaster Terry Wogan.Favourite track: The Young Prince and The Young Princess by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Book: His favourite book by P G Wodehouse Luxury: Vodka

Roy Plomley's castaway is retired Old Bailey Judge Sir Alan King-Hamilton.Favourite track: Symphony No. 5 In C Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Barclays World of Cricket by Jim Swanton Luxury: Television set

Roy Plomley's castaway is actor and comedian Arthur English.Favourite track: 1812 Overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Book: Britain's Heritage by John Julius Norwich Luxury: Weekend in Paris

Roy Plomley's castaway is writer A N Wilson.Favourite track: Profisciere Anima Christiana by Edward Elgar Book: The Golden Treasury by Francis Palgrave Luxury: Bed and blankets

Roy Plomley's castaway is comedian and musician Max Boyce.Favourite track: The First Time by MacColl Book: I Can't Stay Long by Laurie Lee Luxury: Oil painting equipment

Roy Plomley's castaway is writer and journalist Geoffrey Moorhouse.Favourite track: Notte E Giorno Faticar (Don Giovanni) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Dictionary of National Biography Luxury: Recording of curlews and Indian spices

Roy Plomley's castaway is violinist Ruggiero Ricci.Favourite track: Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Letters by Beethoven Luxury: The Plowden Guarneri violin

Roy Plomley's castaway is actor James Fox.Favourite track: I Believe In You by Bob Dylan Book: Colour reproduction of Renaissance artists Luxury: Water colour equipment

Roy Plomley's castaway is writer and journalist Jan Morris.Favourite track: Badinrie by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Her own book on Venice Luxury: Astronimical telescope with Catalogue Of Nebulae

Roy Plomley's castaway is flying surgeon of East Africa Michael Wood.Favourite track: Toccata and Fugue In D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Other Men's Flowers by Lord A P Wavell Luxury: Pair of field glasses

Roy Plomley's castaway is writer Douglas Reeman.Favourite track: The Song Of The Jellicles by T S Eliot Book: The Admiralty Seamanship Manual Luxury: Orchid-growing kit

Roy Plomley's castaway is choreographer Kenneth Macmillan.Favourite track: Students' Chorus by Romberg Book: The Rack by A E Ellis Luxury: Godiva chocolates from Belgium

Roy Plomley's castaway is painter and restorer Tom Keating.Favourite track: Symphony No. 2 in D by Jean Sibelius Book: Lives of the Artists by Giorgio Vasari Luxury: Mattock

Roy Plomley's castaway is director James Ivory.Favourite track: The Three Ladies Find Tamino by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu by Marcel Proust Luxury: Shower with hot water

Roy Plomley's castaway is designer Zandra Rhodes.Favourite track: Bolero by Maurice Ravel Book: Household Management by Mrs Beeton Luxury: Sketchbook, pens and pencils

Roy Plomley's castaway is actress Beryl Reid.Favourite track: Let The Bright Seraphim by George Frideric Handel Book: Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor Luxury: Silk garment

Roy Plomley's castaway is explorer Tim Severin.Favourite track: Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf Book: Pax Britannica by Jan Morris Luxury: Herb garden

Roy Plomley's castaway is soprano Gwyneth Jones.Favourite track: L'Incoronazione Di Poppea by Claudio Monteverdi Book: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran Luxury: Piano with bath salts

Roy Plomley's castaway is the inspiration behind The Sound Of Music, Maria Von Trapp.Favourite track: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: True funny stories in German Luxury: Statue of Madonna and child, 17th century

Roy Plomley's castaway is snooker player Steve Davis.Favourite track: I Need You Now by George Duke Book: The Throwback and Wilt by Tom Sharpe Luxury: Snooker table

Roy Plomley's castaway is writer Rachel Billington.Favourite track: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor by Sergei Rachmaninov Book: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy Luxury: Writing materials

Roy Plomley's castaway is actress Mary Ellis.Favourite track: Gloria by Ariel Ramirez Book: Encyclopaedia Luxury: Writing materials

Roy Plomley's castaway is composer Gyorgy Ligeti.Favourite track: String Quintet In C by Franz Schubert Book: Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Luxury: Hieronymus Bosch, Garden Of Earthly Delights

Roy Plomley's castaway is musician Alan Price.Favourite track: I Ain't Got Nobody by Louis Prima Book: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Luxury: Piano

Roy Plomley's castaway is actress Helen Mirren.Favourite track: Pass The Dutchie by Musical Youth Book: The Bhagavad-Gita Luxury: Silk underwear

Roy Plomley's castaway is writer P D James.Favourite track: St Matthew Passion (First Chorus) by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Middlemarch by George Eliot Luxury: Claret

Roy Plomley's castaway is writer Rosamond Lehmann.Favourite track: Nunc Dimittis by Burgon Book: Letters by Marquise de Sevigne Luxury: Writing Materials

Roy Plomley's castaway is baritone Thomas Allen.Favourite track: Concerto in C For Violin, Cello, Piano by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Luxury: Golf clubs and balls

Lord Tonypandy, George Thomas, now Chairman of the National Children's Homes, was Speaker of the House of Commons from 1976 to 1983. He was invited to choose the eight records he would take to the mythical island, and he also talked to Roy Plomley about his childhood in Wales and about his parliamentary career which he began when he won the Cardiff Central seat in 1945.Book: The Methodist hymn book Luxury: Writing materials