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Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Thora Hird.

This week's Desert Island Discs castaway is one of Britain's greatest and best-loved character actresses, Thora Hird. She'll be talking to Sue Lawley about her lifelong involvement with the theatre - she first appeared on the stage at eight weeks old - and discussing more recent roles, such as Doris in Alan Bennett's play A Cream Cracker Under the Settee; a part which this year won her the BAFTA award for best television actress.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Onward Christian Soldiers by The Harry Simeone Chorale
Book: Scene & Hird by Thora Hird
Luxury: Cleansing milk

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40 minutes

Last on

Sun 12 Aug 199012:15
BBC Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Henry Lodge

    Temptation Rag

    Orchestra: The Pasadena Roof Orchestra

    • The Pasadena Roof Orchestra.
    • Castle Communications.

  • Abe Holzmann

    Blaze Away

    Orchestra: The Royal Artillery Band

    • The Great Marches.
    • Bandleader.

  • Franz Lehár

    Gold and Silver Waltz

    Orchestra: The Johann Strauss Orchestra Of Vienna

    • Waltzes-Strauss Orchestra.
    • EMI.

  • Lonnie Donegan

    Cumberland Gap

    • 50s Number Ones Vol 2.
    • Old Gold.

  • Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    None but the lonely heart, Op. 6/6

    Orchestra: The Royal Philharmonic Conductor: Daniel Smith

    • Bassoon Bon-Bons.
    • Kem-Disc.

  • Sid Phillips

    When The Saints Go Marching In

    • The Best Of Sid Phillips.
    • One-Up.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major

    Soloist: Richard Clayderman Orchestra: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    • Richard Clayderman & The RPO/The Classic Touch.
    • Delphine.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • The Harry Simeone Chorale

      Onward Christian Soldiers

      • Single.
      • Ember.

  • Book Choice

    • Scene & Hird - Thora Hird

  • Luxury Choice

    • Cleansing milk

Credits

PresenterSue Lawley
Interviewed GuestThora Hird

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 May 198912:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 19 May 198909:05
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 12 Aug 199012:15
    BBC Radio 4

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