Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies - a podcast by BBC Radio 4

At 97, the actress Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies reflects with interest on the prospect of being castaway and, in conversation with Sue Lawley, looks back over her long career. With a head well-stocked with music - and ringing with Shakespeare - she is determined to survive. But she isn't proposing to be castaway for long. She's already plotting a plan of escape. In the meantime, she looks back on her long and fascinating career in the theatre, which began with advice from Ellen Terry, took her into the Gaiety Chorus (at the back) and eventually, after success in The Immortal Hour, to some of the great Shakespearian roles.

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

Favourite track: Liebestod (from Tristan and Isolde) by Richard Wagner
Luxury: Large bottle of toilet water

Further episodes of Desert Island Discs: Archive 1986-1991

Further podcasts by BBC Radio 4

Website of BBC Radio 4