| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197D | 01 | Steven Berkoff | 19971006 | Writer, director and actor Steven Berkoff performs extracts from his favourite poetry, prose and plays before an audience at this year's Edinburgh Festival. He draws on ancient Greek drama, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde and poet Walt Whitman to celebrate language as an instrument of praise. | |
| 197D | 02 | Marjorie Wallace | 19971013 | , campaigning journalist and head of SANE, the organisation for the support of schizophrenics and their carers, chooses her favourite pieces of writing, which are read by Anna Massey and Tim Pigott-Smith | |
| 197D | 03 | Alison Lurie | 19971020 | American novelist Alison Lurie chooses her favourite pieces of writing, read by Bonnie Hurren and Ben Onwukwe | |
| 197D | 04 | Lord Soper | 19971027 | In his 95th year, Lord Soper looks back over his life and introduces extracts from the books, hymns and poems which have been significant to him through the years. James Fox and Stephanie Cole read the extracts. | |
| 197D | 05 | Jenny Agutter | 19971103 | Actress Jenny Agutter chooses some of her favourite prose and poetry. Readings by Michael Pennington and Sara Kestelman | |
| 197D | 06 | Mavis Nicholson | 19971110 | Writer and broadcaster Mavis Nicholson chooses some of her favourite pieces of poetry and prose, beginning with `Girl's Crystal' and ending with Maya Angelou. Readings by Sian Phillips and Philip Madoc | |
| 198C | 01 | Leslie Phillips | 19980819 | The first of two programmes featuring veteran entertainer Leslie Phillips. With his wife, Angela Scoular, he presents his favourite pieces of prose and poetry, including an extract from `Peter Pan' and his celebrated rendition of `The Owl and the Pussycat. | |
| 198C | 01 | Stephanie Cole | 19980817 | In the first of two programmes, Stephanie Cole presents her personal selection of prose and poetry, including Causley's `I Am the Great Sun' and Elizabeth Jennings's `Friendship'. Reader Andrew Sachs | |
| 198D | 01 | Sir Hardy Amies - 1 | 19981005 | Two programmes in which Sir Hardy Amies, dressmaker to the Queen, presents his personal selection of prose and poetry. 1: The first 45 years of his life. | |
| 198D | 02 LAST | Sir Hardy Amies - 2 | 19981006 | The second 45 years of his life. | |
| 199B | 01 | Eric Sykes | 19990610 | In six programmes, Eric Sykes looks back on his life through literature, from `The Tudor Kings of England' to the wise and witty sayings of Mark Twain. With Dennis Waterman and Imelda Staunton | |
| 199C | 01 | 19990923 | 19990929 | Brian Keenan talks about his love of literature, growing up in Belfast, being a hostage in Beirut and of his writing, and his role as husband and father. With extracts from `The Wind in the Willows', `The Dharma Bums' and poems by Sylvia Plath and Pablo N / Best-selling American author Bill Bryson chooses his favourite writing - a mix of comedy and adventure, with excerpts from Evelyn Waugh's `Scoop', a Hardy Boys classic and `Three Men in a Boat'. Readers Kerry Shale and Bill Wallis | |
| 199C | 02 | 19990930 | 19991013 | Author Lynne Reid Banks, best known for the `L-Shaped Room', reflects on the literature that has given her pleasure throughout her life. With excerpts from the Jewish Passover service, `Romeo and Juliet', and Nancy Mitford's `The Pursuit of Love'. / Bestselling American author Bill Bryson chooses his favourite writing - a mix of comedy and adventure, with extracts from Evelyn Waugh's `Scoop', a Hardy Boys classic and `Three Men in a Boat'. Readers Kerry Shale and Bill Wallis | |
| 199C | 03 | 19991007 | 19991020 | ||
| 201C | 01 | 20010802 | 20010806 | ||
| 201C | 02 | Milton Shulman | 20010809 | 20010813 | Milton Shulman, who was theatre critic of the London Evening Standard for 30 years, chooses his favourite literary extracts, including pieces by William Congreve, Shakespeare and Edmund Rostand. They are read for him by Alice Arnold and William Hope |
| 201C | 03 | The Wind In The Willows | 20010816 | 20010820 | At the Gower Festival, John Humphrys chooses his favourite pieces of literature, which range from `The Wind in the Willows' to `Animal Farm', and Evelyn Waugh to Dylan Thomas. The readers are Angharad Rees and Michael Elwyn |
| 201C | 04 | 20010817 | |||
| 201C | 04 | Robert Winston | 20010823 | 20010827 | Fertility expert Robert Winston chooses his favourite pieces of poetry and prose. Among them are works by Boccaccio, Wilfred Owen and Roy Hattersley. The readers are Philip Franks and Michael Elwyn |
| 201C | 05 | Helen Dunmore | 20010830 | 20010903 | Novelist and poet Helen Dunmore chooses her favourite pieces of literature, with readers Eve Matheson and Bill Wallis |
| 202C | 01 | Diane Abbott | 20020815 | 20020819 | Maverick Labour MP Diane Abbott chooses some of her favourite pieces of writing. Featured excerpts include `Vanity Fair', `Little Women' and Congreve's `The Way of the World'. |
| 202C | 02 | Joe Simpson | 20020822 | 20020826 | Writer and mountaineer Joe Simpson chooses favourite pieces of prose and poetry that have inspired his life of travel and adventure. With readers Stephen McGann and Kate Rutter. |
| 202C | 03 | Anne Owers | 20020829 | 20020902 | Chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers presents her personal choice of favourite pieces of writing which have illuminated her career and beliefs. |
| 202C | 04 | Oliver Letwin | 20020905 | 20020909 | Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin presents his personal choice of favourite pieces of writing which have illuminated his career and beliefs. |
| 202C | 05 | Edna O'brien | 20020912 | 20020916 | Writer Edna O'Brien presents her personal choice of favourite pieces of writing which have illuminated her career and beliefs. Read by Stephen Rea and Marie Mullen. |
| 202C | 06 | Paul Morley | 20020919 | 20020923 | Writer and broadcaster Paul Morley presents his choice of favourite pieces of writing that have illuminated his career and beliefs. Read by Daniela Nardini and Ralf Little |
| 203A | 01 | Dora Bryan | 20030102 | 20030106 | Actress Dora Bryan presents her personal choice of favourite pieces of writing that have illuminated her career and beliefs. Including pieces by Dirk Bogarde and Alan Bennett |
| 203A | 02 | Lemn Sissay | 20030109 | 20030113 | Poet Lemn Sissay presents his personal choice of favourite pieces of writing that have illuminated his career and beliefs. With readers James Quinn and Juliet Ellis |
| 203A | 03 | Emma Nicholson | 20030116 | 20030120 | presents her choice of favourite pieces of writing that reflect her life campaigning for human rights and her late husband's work on the Booker Prize committee. |
| 203A | 04 | Christopher Frayling | 20030123 | 20030127 | , Rector of the Royal College of Art, presents his personal choice of pieces of writing that reflect his lifelong passions for art, film and horror stories / Rector of the Royal College of Art, presents his personal choice of pieces of writing that reflect his lifelong passions for art, film and horror stories. |
| 203A | 05 | Jan Ravens | 20030130 | 20030203 | Dead Ringers star Jan Ravens presents her personal choice of favourite pieces of writing. Featuring extracts by Philip Larkin, Edwin Muir, Jane Austen and Victoria Wood |
| 203A | 06 | Michael Grade | 20030206 | 20030210 | presents his personal choice of favourite pieces of writing which reflect a life full of rich and varied interests. With readers William Hope and Juliet Stevenson |
| 203C | 01 | Barry Norman | 20030731 | 20030804, 20070106 | Barry Norman entertains an audience at the Pump House in Aldeburgh with his personal choice of favourite pieces of writing, ranging from Richmal Crompton and PG Wodehouse to Neville Cardus and Raymond Chandler. With readers Andrew Sachs, Alice Arnold and Jon Glover |
| 203C | 02 | joan Bakewell | 20030807 | 20030811 | entertains an audience at the Aldeburgh Festival with her choice of favourite literature. Readers are Andrew Sachs, Alice Arnold and Jon Glover |
| 203C | 03 | Jo Shapcott | 20030814 | 20030818 | From the Ledbury Poetry Festival, award-winning poet in residence Jo Shapcott presents some of her literary favourites - read for her by Christian Rodska and Mark Meadows. [Rpt of Thu 11.30am] |
| 203C | 04 | Barrie Rutter | 20030821 | 20030825 | In the first of two programmes from The Shed in North Yorkshire, actor and director Barrie Rutter entertains an audience with some of his favourite pieces of prose and poetry. With Fine Time Fontayne, Noreen Kershaw, Michael Fenton Stevens and Mike Harding. |
| 203C | 05 | Mike Harding | 20030828 | 20030831 | is at The Shed, North Yorkshire with his choice of literature. Readers are Fine Time Fontayne, Noreen Kershaw, Michael Fenton Stevens and Barrie Rutter. [Rptd Sun 12.15am] |
| 203C | 06 | Tim Smit | 20030904 | 20030908 | founder and Chief Executive of the Eden Project, presents some of his favourite pieces of prose and poetry. |
| 204C | 01 | Pauline Mclynn | 20040812 | 20040816, 20061206 | Comedy writer and actor Pauline Mclynn, best known as Mrs Doyle in father ted, entertains an audience with a witty and poignant choice of some favourite prose and poetry. Shes joined by actors David Bamber and William Hope at this summers ways with words festival at Dartington Hall in Devon. |
| 204C | 02 | Anne Fine | 20040819 | 20040823 | Award winning childrens writer, Anne Fine, entertains an audience at this summers Swindon festival with her choices of favourite prose and poetry, from Kit Wright to Raymond Carver. They're read for her by Jenny Coverack and Michael Elwyn |
| 204C | 03 | Mark Doty | 20040826 | 20040830 | Campaigning American poet, Mark Doty, was poet in residence at this summer's Ledbury festival. He was joined there by Actors Kerry Shale and Barbara Barnes to perform some favourite verses that have helped to shape his life. |
| 204C | 04 | Phillip Blackwell | 20040902 | 20040906 | Entrepreneur and bookseller, Phillip Blackwell, presents some of his favourite pieces of prose and poetry. Hes joined by actors Anton Lesser and Alice Arnold at the original branch of Blackwell's in Oxford, as they celebrate 125 years in the book business. |
| 204C | 05 LAST | Richard Ingrams | 20040909 | 20040913 | Richard Ingrams introduces some of his favourite pieces of writing from this summers Ludlow Festival of Literature. Not surprisingly his choices include humour from beachcomber to James Thurber to Auberon Waugh. They're read for him by Andrew Sachs and Peter Marinker |
| 205A | 01 | Shazia Mirza | 20050120 | 20050124 | is the UK's only female Muslim stand-up comedian and in the first of a new series of With Great Pleasure she introduces some of the favourite prose, poetry and songs that have inspired her. Shazia's choices range from Harold Pinter to Alan Bennett to Sue Townsend and are read for her by Mina Anwar, Elizabeth Berrington, Jon Glover and David Bamber. |
| 205A | 02 | Ian Mcmillan | 20050127 | 20050131 | Ian Mcmillan entertains an audience at The Shed in North Yorkshire with prose and poetry performed by Noreen Kershaw, Fine Time Fontayne and Pete Morgan. |
| 205A | 03 | Jenni Trent Hughes | 20050203 | 20050207 | Firm but fair relationship expert, Jenni Trent Hughes, reveals a love affair with literature when she entertains an audience with some of her favourite prose and poetry. She's joined by Mina Anwar, David Bamber, Elizabeth Berrington and Jon Glover to read them for her. |
| 205A | 04 | Philip Pullman | 20050210 | 20050214, 20061129 | Author Philip Pullman entertains an audience at the Pegasus Theatre in Oxford with some of his favourite prose and poetry. He is joined by actors Jenny Coverack and Sean Barrett. |
| 205A | 05 LAST | John Sergeant | 20050217 | 20050221, 20061220 | Political journalist and broadcaster John Sergeant, who as a young man wanted to become a comedian, reveals his private world of literature which includes P G Wodehouse, Alan Bennett, James Thurber and Joseph Heller. He's joined by actors William Hope and Bill Wallis |
| 205C | 01 | John Simpson | 20050728 | 20050801 | entertains an audience with some of his favourite pieces of writing read by Jilly Bond and Michael Elwyn. There are classics from fellow journalists, poems by Seamus Heaney and Edward Thomas, and there's some nonsense too from Lewis Carroll and the Marx Brothers. |
| 205C | 02 | Roy Hattersley | 20050804 | 20050808 | Roy Hattersley entertains an audience at this summer's Buxton Festival with some of his favourite prose and poetry, read for him by Barrie Rutter and David Fleeshman |
| 205C | 03 | Jo Brand | 20050811 | 20050815, Radio Four 20061122 | Comedian Jo Brand and actors Eve Matheson, Philip Franks and Jon Glover entertain an audience with some of Jo's favourite pieces of writing, including a poem by John Hegley, a story by Annie Proulx and a song from Elvis Costello. |
| 205C | 04 | Richard Dawkins | 20050818 | 20050822 | Oxford Professor of the Public Understanding of Science, he entertains an audience with some favourite and accessible science writing - as well as passages from Romeo and Juliet, A Shropshire Lad and comedy from Evelyn Waugh and Michael Frayn. With readers Eve Matheson, Philip Franks and Jon Glover |
| 205C | 05 LAST | Pam Ayres | 20050825 | 20050829, 20061213 | entertains an audience at Buscot Park Theatre on the estate of Lord Faringdon, very close to where she was born and brought up. She's joined by Martin Jarvis and Phyllida Nash to read a few of her literary favourites, which include poems by Laurence Binyon and Banjo Patterson and vivid stories from George Orwell, J Meade Faulkner and Richmal Crompton. Pam Ayres entertains an audience at Buscot Park Theatre on the estate of Lord Faringdon, very close to where she was born and brought up. She is joined by Martin Jarvis and Phyllida Nash to read a few of her literary favourites, which include poems by Laurence Binyon and Banjo Patterson; and vivid stories from George Orwell, J Meade Faulkner and Richmal Crompton. |
| 206A | 01 | Adam Hart-davis | 20060112 | 20060116 | Writer and broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis entertains his audience with stories about his life and favourite writing. Readers are Bill Wallis, Jenny Coverack and John Telfer |
| 206A | 02 | Dick King-smith | 20060119 | 20060123 | Children's author Dick King-Smith entertains an audience with stories about his life and favourite writing, including Samuel Whiskers, Tarka the Otter and The Jungle Book, as well as poems by Thomas Hardy and R S Thomas. |
| 206A | 03 | stewart Lee | 20060126 | 20060130 | Writer and stand-up comedian Stewart Lee introduces a selection of his favourite poetry and prose to an audience at 'The Shed' in North Yorkshire. Highlights range from Ray Bradbury to Joe Queenan and from Wyndham Lewis to William Blake |
| 206A | 04 | Gyles Brandreth | 20060202 | 20060206 | Author, raconteur and former Tory MP Gyles Brandreth entertains with a selection of his favourite pieces of prose and poetry, to reflect his lifelong loves of nonsense, politics and Shakespeare. With readers Sir Donald Sinden and Kosha Engler. |
| 206A | 05 LAST | Oona King | 20060209 | 20060213 | Former Labour MP Oona King presents writing that has influenced her life and thinking, including Alan Clarke's diaries, Vanity Fair and Arthur Miller's autobiography. |
| 206C | 01 | Jonathan Sacks | 20060921 | 20060925 | The Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, presents some of his favourite prose and poetry - including extracts from The Torah, the writings of Isaiah Berlin and Amos Oz, and poems from Ogden Nash and WH Auden. He's joined by Alice Arnold, Michael Fenton Stevens, John Moraitis and Andrew Sachs |
| 206C | 02 | Henry Normal | 20060928 | 20061002 | Comedian, poet and scriptwriter Henry Normal entertains an audience when he introduces favourite poems by Lemn Sissay and John Hegley; extracts from Alan Sillitoe, George Orwell and Oscar Wilde; plus a song from Paul Simon |
| 206C | 03 | Kirsty Wark | 20061005 | 20061009 | News journalist Kirsty Wark shows her more literary side when she's joined by friends Bridget McCann, Sean Scanlon and Barbara Rafferty to entertain an audience at Glasgow's Oran Mhor - with some of her favourite prose and poetry. |
| 206C | 04 | Sue Townsend | 20061012 | 20061016 | She entertains an audience of friends and family, with extracts from some of her favourite books, including the work of Iris Murdoch, George Orwell and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Reading are taken from Going to See a Man Hanged by William Thackery The Donkey by GK Chesterton The House of the Dead by Dostoevsky Translated by Constance Garnett The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch Inside the Whale by George Orwell Taken from George Orwell: Politics and the English Language Analogy about Frogs by Shami Chakrabati Cigarettes are Sublime by Richard Klein Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton By John Lahr First They Came for the Jews by Pastor Martin Niemoller. |
| 206C | 05 LAST | don Paterson | 20061019 | 20061023 | Poet in residence Don Paterson presents some of his literary favourites at this summer's Ledbury Poetry Festival. He praises the work of fellow poets Douglas Dunn, Tony Harrison, Billy Collins, Seamus Heaney and William Topaz McGonagall. |
| 206C | XMAS | Sue Lawley | 20061225 | Retired from her Desert Island, Sue Lawley wades ashore at the BBC Theatre, bearing a list of her own. It's not a list of eight records - but a selection of her favourite prose and poetry. With the help of readers Andrew Sachs, Pippa Haywood and Michael Elwyn, she introduces literary delights ranging from Jane Austen to Philip Roth, and from John Donne to Hilaire Belloc. She also explains why she is haunted by an ironing board. | |
| 207A | 01 | Graham Fellows | 20070118 | 20070122 | Graham Fellows, better known as John Shuttleworth - Sheffield's finest yet most unaccomplished singer/songwriter - presents some of the writing that has most influenced his own work. He entertains an audience at The Shed in North Yorkshire with the help of actors Debbie McAndrew and Shaun Prendergast. |
| 207A | 02 | Rick Stein | 20070125 | 20070129 | Rick Stein presents some memorable pieces of literature including prose, poetry and some favourite cookery writing. Christian Rodska and Jenny Coverack join him to entertain an audience at The Seafood School in Padstow. |
| 207A | 03 | Lynne Truss | 20070201 | 20070205 | Lynne Truss revisits a time spent working in a library between school and university and the early literary passions which would influence her as a writer. Actors Helen Atkinson Wood, Philip Franks and Peter Marinker join her to entertain an audience. |
| 207A | 04 | Adrian Mitchell | 20070208 | 20070212 | Adrian Mitchell entertains an audience when he introduces some of his favourite literature to illustrate a happy life as poet, playwright and general mischief maker. Read for him by Helen Atkinson Wood, Peter Marinker and Philip Franks. |
| 207A | 05 LAST | James Lovelock | 20070215 | 20070219 | Crusading environmental scientist James Lovelock, author of the Gaia theory of life on Earth, reveals some of his favourite pieces of prose and poetry in a recording at his home near Launceston - with actors Jenny Coverack and Bill Wallis |
| 207C | 01 | Tony Benn | 20070726 | 20071118 | Tony Benn presents some of the pieces of prose and poetry which have helped shape his personal philosophy. Readers are Saffron Burrows, Jim Findley and Carl Prekopp |
| 207C | 02 | Anna Raeburn | 20070802 | Broadcaster and journalist Anna Raeburn is joined on stage at the Hay Festival by Diana Quick and Richard Mitchley in a selection of some of her favourite pieces of writing. | |
| 207C | 03 | Carmen Callil | 20070809 | 20071202 | In a programme recorded at the Hay Literary Festival, writer and publisher Carmen Callil presents her selection of favourite pieces of writing, ranging from George Bernard Shaw and WS Gilbert to Puss in Boots and a fragment of a story from her Australian childhood. Readers are Diana Quick and Richard Mitchley |
| 207C | 04 | Zeinab Badawi | 20070816 | TV presenter Zeinab Badawi presents her selection of favourite pieces of writing, ranging from Virgil to The Tale of Custard the Dragon. | |
| 207C | 05 LAST | Richard Briers | 20070823 | 20090209 | Richard Briers chooses some of his favourite performance pieces for an entertaining half hour with his daughter Lucy Briers and his old friend Peter Egan. Richard Briers chooses some of his favourite performance pieces. chooses some of his favourite performance pieces for an entertaining half hour with his daughter Lucy Briers and his old friend Peter Egan. |
| 207D | 02 | Anna Raeburn | 20071125 | Broadcaster and journalist Anna Raeburn is joined on stage at the Hay Festival by Diana Quick and Richard Mitchley in a selection of some of her favourite pieces of writing. | |
| 01 | 20080724 | Film critic Mark Kermode draws upon some haunting fiction, including extracts from William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist and F Scott Fitzgerald's American classic The Great Gatsby. Mark's grandfather recites a poem in his Manx accent. Readers are Amelia Bullmore and Demetri Goritsas. | |||
| 02 | 20080731 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. 2/5. Classical singer and broadcaster Catherine Bott shows how writers as diverse as JM Coetzee and Joyce Grenfell have attempted to convey what music means in words. Sharing her deep love of the Archers, the readers are Patricia Greene and Tim Bentinck (Jill and David Archer). | |||
| 03 | 20080807 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. 3/5. Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where this programme is recorded, shares his passion for poetry and prose, without so much as a word by the Bard. Readers are Michelle Terry and John Light. | |||
| 04 | 20080814 | Will Hutton, chief executive of the Work Foundation, shares his admiration for not just JM Keynes but also writers such as Dickens and Umberto Eco. Readers are Michelle Terry and William Hope | |||
| 05 LAST | 20080821 | Jude Kelly, artistic director of London's refurbished Southbank Centre, where this programme is recorded, uses extracts from her favourite poetry and literature to argue the case for the central role of creativity and the arts in society. Readers are Diana Quick and John Shrapnel | |||
| Miles Kington | 19900204 | First broadcast on 1989-12-24 Producer: WHITEHEAD, K Next in series: MIRIAM ROTHSCHILD Previous in series: Jill Balcon Description SBH:Miles Kington presents his personal choice of poetry & prose. Readers: Sheila Steafel & Kerry Shale. Producer: Kate Whitehead. OTN:SBS949/89WT2450 TXN/TDT:R4 24-Dec-1989 Broadcast history 24 Dec 1989 13:10-13:55 (RADIO 4) 04 Feb 1990 16:02-16:47 (RADIO 4) Contributors Eleanor Bron (Author) Ogden Nash (Author) Raymond Chandler (Author) Groucho Marx (Author) J Morton (Author) Flann O'Brien (Author) Stephanie Calman (Author) Shelley Berman (Author) Wyndham Lewis (Author) Harry Graham (Author) Alexander Frater (Author) H Mencken (Author) Alphonse Allais (Author) Kate Whitehead (Producer) Kerry Shale (rdr) Sheila Steafel (rdr) Miles Kington (rdr) Notes: CAIRS 436915. | |||
| Miriam Rothschild | 19900627 | 19900701 | First broadcast on 1990-06-27 Producer: WHITEHEAD, K Next in series: Freddie Jones Previous in series: Miles Kington Description Miriam ROTHSCHILD presents her choice of poetry & prose on the theme of butterflies & doves. Read by Peggy ASHCROFT & Ronald Pickup. Prod Kate WHITEHEAD. Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) profiles (programme format) Broadcast history 27 Jun 1990 11:02-11:47 (RADIO 4) 01 Jul 1990 22:15-23:00 (RADIO 4) Contributors Kate Whitehead (Producer) Ronald Pickup (rdr) Peggy Ashcroft (rdr) Miriam Rothschild (Speaker) Recorded on 1990-05-12. | ||
| Freddie Jones | 19900704 | 19900708 | Actor Freddie Jones returns to his roots in Stoke-on-Trent to present a slection of favourite poetry & prose. Readers Michael Williams and Su-Lin Looi | ||
| Jeremy Isaacs | 19900711 | 19900715 | First broadcast on 1990-07-11 Producer: REID. Next in series: Eleanor Bron Previous in series: Freddie Jones Description Jeremy ISAACS presents his personal choice of poetry & prose read by John BettS & Geraldine MCEWAN. Prod Alec REID. Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) profiles (programme format) Broadcast history 11 Jul 1990 11:02-11:47 (RADIO 4) 15 Jul 1990 22:15-23:00 (RADIO 4) Contributors Alec Reid (Producer) Geraldine Mcewan (rdr) John Betts (rdr) Jeremy Isaacs (Speaker) Recorded on 1989-10-04. | ||
| Eleanor Bron | 19900718 | 19900722 | First broadcast on 1990-07-18 Producer: WHITEHEAD, K Next in series: COLIN BLAKEMORE Previous in series: JEREMY ISAACS Description SBH:The actress Eleanor Bron chooses a selection of her favourite poetry and prose. Readers: Joanna David & John Fortune. Producer: Kate Whitehead. OTN:SBS028/89WT2451 TXN/TDT:R4 18-Jul-1990 Broadcast history 18 Jul 1990 11:02-11:47 (RADIO 4) 22 Jul 1990 22:15-23:00 (RADIO 4) Contributors David Thompson (Author) D Lawrence (Author) Alfred Tennyson (Author) Stevie Smith (Author) Joseph Conrad (Author) Wilfred Owen (Author) John Webster (Author) E Forster (Author) Homer (Author) Studs Terkel (Author) Toni Morrison (Author) Edward Cummings (Author) Randall Jarrell (Author) John Skelton (Author) Elizabeth Von Arnim (Author) Samuel Butler (Author) Edmund Spenser (Author) Crichton Browne (Author) Pao Chao (Author) Kate Whitehead (Producer) Joanna David (rdr) John Fortune (rdr) Eleanor Bron (Speaker) Notes: CAIRS 525232. | ||
| Colin Blakemore | 19900725 | 19900729 | First broadcast on 1990-07-25 Producer: WHITEHEAD, K Next in series: DAVID LODGE Previous in series: Eleanor Bron Description Colin BLAKEMORE takes a broader view of the literary anthology & includes scientific writing as well as the lyrics of a Bob Dylan song. Read by Jill Balcon & Denys Hawthorne. Prod Kate WHITEHEAD. Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) profiles (programme format) Broadcast history 25 Jul 1990 11:02-11:47 (RADIO 4) 29 Jul 1990 22:15-23:00 (RADIO 4) Contributors Kate Whitehead (Producer) Denys Hawthorne (rdr) Jill Balcon (rdr) Colin Blakemore (Speaker) Recorded on 1990-05-26. | ||
| David Lodge | 19900801 | 19900805 | First broadcast on 1990-08-01 Producer: A. REID Next in series: GWEN FFRANGCON-DAVIES Previous in series: COLIN BLAKEMORE Description David LODGE presents his personal choice of poetry & prose read by Haydn Gwynne & Jack SHEPHERD. Prod Kate WHITEHEAD. Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) profiles (programme format) Broadcast history 01 Aug 1990 11:02-11:47 (RADIO 4) 05 Aug 1990 22:15-23:00 (RADIO 4) Contributors Kate Whitehead (Producer) Haydn Gwynne (rdr) Jack Shepherd (rdr) David Lodge (Speaker) Recorded on 1990-06-17. | ||
| Gwen Ffrangcon | 19901225 | -DAVIES Producer: WHITEHEAD, K Next in series: JONATHON PORRITT Previous in series: DAVID LODGE Description SBH:The 99-year-old actress Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies presents her personal choice of poetry & prose and performances of some of her favourite roles. Readers: Anna Massey & Alec McCowen. Producers: David Spenser & Kate Whitehead. PRE:Ffrangcon-Davies: introduces her readers. 3'55" in - Talks about her idol Ellen Terry. 11'05" in - Great admiration for 'The Seven Pillars of Wisdom'. Meeting T.E. Lawrence as Aircraftsman Shaw - his piercing blue eyes. NTS:This programme was specially recorded in celebration of Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies's 100th birthday the following month. OTN:SLN050/90WT258 TXN/TDT:R4 25-Dec-1990 Broadcast history 25 Dec 1990 14:00-15:00 (RADIO 4) Contributors Anna Massey (Actor) Alec McCowen (Actor) Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies (Actor) William Shakespeare (Author) Thomas Hardy (Author) Rudyard Kipling (Author) T Eliot (Author) George Shaw (Author) William Thackeray (Author) Virginia Woolf (Author) Robert Browning (Author) Rupert Brooke (Author) Christina Rossetti (Author) Christopher Fry (Author) T Lawrence (Author) Francis Thompson (Author) David Spenser (Producer) Kate Whitehead (Producer) Notes: CAIRS 568695. | |||
| Jonathon Porritt | 19901226 | Producer: WHITEHEAD, K Next in series: MAYA ANGELOU Previous in series: GWEN FFRANGCON-DAVIES Description Environmentalist Jonathon PORRITT pres his selection of favourite poetry & prose with readers Diana Quick & Andrew Sachs. Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) profiles (programme format) Broadcast history 26 Dec 1990 14:02-15:00 (RADIO 4) Contributors Kate Whitehead (Producer) Andrew Sachs (rdr) Diana Quick (rdr) Jonathon Porritt (Speaker) Recorded on 1990-12-09. | |||
| Jenny Eclair | 19960101 | Producer: S. DAVIES Next in series: JON SNOW Previous in series: 25TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMME Description Edinburgh Festival stand-up queen Jenny Eclair, well-thumbed copy of Dorothy Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) book programmes (genre) Broadcast history 01 Jan 1996 10:02-10:30 (RADIO 4) Contributors Kenneth Williams (Author) Alan Bennett (Author) Fay Weldon (Author) Roddy Doyle (Author) Angela Carter (Author) Pamela Brown (Author) Nell Dunn (Author) Joe Orton (Author) Don Marquis (Author) Damon Runyon (Author) Sara Davies (Producer) Crawford Logan (rdr) Amanda Root (rdr) Jenny Eclair (Speaker) Recorded on 1995-08-30. | |||
| Jon Snow | 19960108 | Producer: K.MCALL Next in series: NICOLE FARHI Previous in series: Jenny Eclair Description Jon SNOW, with the help of Kate FAHY & Ian MITCHELL, reveals his literary Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) book programmes (genre) Broadcast history 08 Jan 1996 10:02-10:30 (RADIO 4) Contributors Kate Mcall (Producer) Alan Clark (rdr) Ian Mitchell (rdr) Kate Fahy (rdr) Jon Snow (Speaker) Recorded on 1995-12-29. | |||
| Nicole Farhi | 19960115 | Producer: S.MARMION Notes: MASTER INDEXED BY SOUND ARCHIVES (SLU)-NOT TO BE EDITED Next in series: Harold Evans Previous in series: JON SNOW Description * Subject Categories personality based programmes (presentation style) fashion Broadcast history 15 Jan 1996 10:02-10:30 (RADIO 4) Contributors Sally Marmion (Producer) Ian Holm (rdr) Penelope Wilton (rdr) Recorded on 1995-12-19. | |||
| Harold Evans | 19960122 | Producer: S.DAVIES Next in series: GLORIA STEINEM Previous in series: NICOLE FARHI Description Editor, publisher & passionate New York resident Harold Evans pres his selection of favourite journalism, fiction & poetry. Readers Ed Bishop , Nigel CARRINGTON & Deboraj GARRISON. Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) profiles (programme format) worked late on a tuesday night (poem) Broadcast history 22 Jan 1996 10:02-10:30 (RADIO 4) Contributors Deborah Garrison (Author) Sara Davies (Producer) Ed Bishop (rdr) Nigel Carrington (rdr) Harold Evans (Speaker) Recorded on 1996-01-02. | |||
| Gloria Steinem | 19960129 | Producer: S.DAVIES Next in series: Allen Ginsberg Previous in series: Harold Evans Description American feminist Gloria STEINEM pres the writing that has inspired her through three decades of campaigning for the rights of women & children. Subject Categories readings programmes (programme format) profiles (programme format) Broadcast history 29 Jan 1996 10:02-10:30 (RADIO 4) Contributors Robin Morgan (Author) Carolyn Heilbron (Author) Judith Herman (Author) Sara Davies (Producer) Alice Arnold (rdr) Adjoa Andoh (rdr) Nigel Carrington (rdr) Gloria Steinem (Speaker) Recorded on 1996-01-17. | |||
| Shirley Hughes | 19990701 | 19990707 | Award-winning children's writer and illustrator Shirley Hughes chooses her favourite pieces of writing. She includes Kenneth Clarke's `Civilisation', and a piece written and read by her son, Guardian correspondent Ed Vulliamy. Other readers are Bill Wallis | ||
| J K Rowling | 20000525 | 20000529 | , creator of Harry Potter, chooses her favourite pieces of poetry and prose - from Roddy Doyle to Vladimir Nabokov | ||
| Tony Parsons | 20000601 | 20000605 | Journalist and author Tony Parsons, best known for his contributions to the Mirror and BBC2's `Late Review' and now also enjoying success with his latest book `Man and Boy', discusses his influences. Featuring passages from Ernest Hemingway, Frank McCourt / Journalist and author Tony Parsons, until recently best known for his contributions to The Mirror and BBC2's `Late Review' but now enjoying unexpected success with his latest book `Man and Boy', discusses his influences. Featuring extracts from works by E. | ||
| Andy Mcnab | 20000608 | 20000612 | Ex-SAS member-turned-novelist Andy McNab chooses his favourite literary and poetic pieces. After surviving horrific experiences during the Gulf War, he wrote his memoir `Bravo Two Zero'. His choices reflect a lingering taste for adventure as well as humou / Ex-SAS member-turned-novelist, Andy McNab, chooses his favourite literary and poetic pieces. After surviving horrific experiences during the Gulf War, he wrote his memoir `Bravo Two Zero'. His choices reflect a lingering taste for adventure as well as hum. | ||
| Donald Woods | 20000615 | 20000619 | South African editor Donald Woods reflects on some of the writers who has inspired him. Woods fled the apartheid regime of his homeland in order to write the biography of black activist Steve Biko - immortalised in the film `Cry Freedom'. | ||
| Carol Shields | 20000622 | 20000626 | Canadian writer Carol Shields introduces her favourite poetry and prose. Readers: Anthony Hyde and Eleanor Bron | ||
| R S Thomas | 20000629 | 20000703 | A selection of poetry and prose chosen by distinguished Welsh poet R S Thomas, now in his eighty-seventh year. He includes readings from Tolstoy, Hardy, the Confessions of St Augustine and the King James Bible and poetry by Yeats, Sir Thomas Wyatt and Edward Thomas. Reader: Ronald Pickup | ||
| Queen Mother | 20000804 | In celebration of the 100th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Ned Sherrin presents a selection of poetry, prose and songs in front of an invited audience at the Radio Theatre, London. Performed by Eleanor Bron, Leslie Phillips, Andrew Sachs | |||
| Lady Longford | 20001019 | 20001030 | Prolific biographer and campaigner Lady Longford looks back over almost 100 years of a literary life when she chooses her favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read for her by Eleanor Bron and Philip Franks. | ||
| Rev Dr John Polkinghorne | 20001026 | 20001106 | Eminent scientist turned clergyman Rev Dr John Polkinghorne presents his favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read for him by Alice Arnold and Jamie Glover | ||
| Fergal Keane | 20001102 | 20001113 | Award-winning journalist Fergal Keane presents some of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read for him by Eleanor Bron and Christian Rodska | ||
| Dorothy Rowe | 20001109 | 20001120 | , author of many popular psychology manuals, presents some of her favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read by Suzie Brann and Sean Barrett. | ||
| Matthew Sweeney | 20001116 | 20001127 | Poet and anthologist Matthew Sweeney presents some of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read by Bonnie Hurran. | ||
| Stephen Frears | 20001130 | 20001201 | One of this country's most successful film directors, Stephen Frears, whose work includes `My Beautiful Launderette', `Les Liaisons Dangereuses' and `High Fidelity', presents some of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read by Stephen Moore and Eve One of this country's most successful film directors, Stephen Frears, whose work includes `My Beautiful Launderette', `Les Liaisons Dangereuses' and `High Fidelity', presents some of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read by Stephen Moore and Eve Matheson | ||
| Stephen Frears | 20001204 | One of this country's most successful film directors, Stephen Frears, whose work includes `My Beautiful Launderette', `Les Liaisons Dangereuses' and `High Fidelity', presents some of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read by Stephen Moore and Eve One of this country's most successful film directors, Stephen Frears, whose work includes `My Beautiful Launderette', `Les Liaisons Dangereuses' and `High Fidelity', presents some of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose, read by Stephen Moore and Eve Matheson | |||
| Zandra Rhodes | 20011227 | 20011231 | Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes chooses some of her favourite pieces of prose and poetry. | ||
| Sean O'brien | 20020103 | 20020107 | Poet Sean O'Brien chooses some of his favourite pieces of poetry and prose, which are read by Julia Watson and Deka Walmsley | ||
| Richard Eyre | 20020110 | 20020114 | Theatre director Richard Eyre selects his favourite poetry and prose, including pieces by D H Lawrence, John Donne and Alan Bennett. The readers are Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent | ||
| Dr Zaki Badawi | 20020117 | 20020121 | , principal of the Muslim College in London, chooses his favourite poetry and prose, ranging from Socrates and Voltaire to Imtiaz Dharker's `I Speak for the Devil'. | ||
| Dame Eileen Atkins | 20020124 | 20020128 | introduces some of her favourite pieces of prose and poetry. They include works by Virginia Woolf, W B Yeats, Anthony Powell and Charles Dickens | ||
| Madhur Jaffrey | 20020131 | 20020204 | introduces some of her favourite pieces of prose and poetry, including extracts from `Paradise Lost', `A House for Mr Biswas' and a recipe for oyster stew. | ||
| Ruth Deech | 20020207 | 20020211 | , head of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, chooses poetry and prose, including extracts from Theodor Herzl's `Old New Land' and the Profumo inquiry. | ||
| John Major | 20080131 | Former prime minister John Major presents a selection of his favourite pieces of writing, from Anthony Trollope to Nigel Molesworth. Readers are Lucy Briers and Nigel Anthony | |||
| Brian Patten | 20080207 | 20091012 | Poet Brian Patten chooses pieces of writing which have been inspirational to him in his work and his life. Readers are Christian Rodska and Alison Reid.Poet Brian Patten chooses pieces of writing which have been inspirational to him. | ||
| 20080214 | Martha Kearney chooses pieces of writing which have a special meaning for her, either personally or in her work as a broadcaster. Readers are Niamh Cusack and David Morrissey. | ||||
| Michael Morpurgo | 20080221 | Children's writer Michael Morpurgo takes a literary journey through his life, with pieces of prose and poetry read by Alison Reid and Christian Rodska | |||
| 20080503 | As a tribute to writer and director Anthony Minghella who died recently, another chance to hear him discuss his favourite pieces of writing, including works by Beckett, Larkin and Pablo Neruda. Readers include Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman. | ||||
| Diana Athill | 20081016 | 20090202 | Literary editor and memoirist Diana Athill, now in her nineties, shares the rich pickings of a life spent among books with an audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Among her favourites are excerpts from Chekhov, PG Wodehouse and Jane Austen's unfinished novel The Watsons. Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Literary editor and memoirist Diana Athill shares her literary passions. | ||
| With Great Pleasure At Christmas | 20081225 | 20081226 | Terry Pratchett revels in some of his favourite pieces of writing. A special festive edition in which Terry Pratchett revels in some of his favourite pieces of writing with the help of Helen Atkinson Wood, Michael Fenton Stevens and Michael Maloney. Featuring readings from: The Specialist by Charles Sale | ||
| Mark Kermode | 20090126 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Film critic Mark Kermode draws upon some haunting fiction, including extracts from William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist and F Scott Fitzgerald's American classic The Great Gatsby. Mark's grandfather recites a poem in his Manx accent. Readers are Amelia Bullmore and Demetri Goritsas. Film critic Mark Kermode's choices include The Exorcist and The Great Gatsby. | |||
| Catherine Bott | 20090216 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Classical singer and broadcaster Catherine Bott shows how writers as diverse as JM Coetzee and Joyce Grenfell have attempted to convey what music means in words. Sharing her deep love of the Archers, the readers are Patricia Greene and Tim Bentinck (Jill and David Archer). Classical singer and broadcaster Catherine Bott shows how writers depict music in words. | |||
| Les Dennis | 20090312 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Les Dennis introduces an eclectic selection of readings reflecting some of the ups and downs of his personal and professional life. Readers are Christopher Cazenove and Jodie McNee. Les Dennis introduces an eclectic selection reflecting the ups and downs of his life. | |||
| Joanne Harris | 20090319 | 20091026 | , author of novels including Chocolat, shares her love of great writing, ranging from Molesworth to science fiction, plus the radio version of a graphic novel by Neil Gaiman. The readers are Amanda Root and Jon Strickland. Joanne Harris, author of novels including Chocolat, shares her love of great writing. | ||
| Dame Jacqueline Wilson | 20090326 | Children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson shares her love of literature with anecdotes and a choice of readings. Children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson shares her love of literature. | |||
| Sir Alan Ayckbourn | 20090402 | Playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn asserts the importance of humour and laughter in his choice of literary extracts. The readers are Amanda Root and Jon Strickland. | |||
| Honor Blackman | 20090728 | 20091116 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing.Honor Blackman introduces a selection of the poetry and prose which has inspired her through her long acting career. The pieces are read by Eleanor David, Nickolas Grace and Honor herself. Honor Blackman introduces a selection of the poetry and prose which has inspired her. | ||
| Anthony Howard | 20090804 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing.Journalist and political commentator Anthony Howard chooses some of his favourite pieces - read by Nigel Anthony and Eleanor Bron | |||
| Vivienne Westwood | 20090811 | Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood chooses some of the pieces of writing which inspire her, from Alice in Wonderland to Bertrand Russell. The readers are David Morrissey and Lucy Briers.Westwood exploded onto the fashion scene at the beginning of the 1970s, the decade whose look she would do so much to create. Since then she has been consistently and uncompromisingly original in her designs, moving from anarchy and pornography to a deep interest in classic British tailoring. In a programme recorded at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, Vivienne presents an eclectic mixture of readings which have influenced her. | |||
| Stuart Maconie | 20090818 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing.Writer and DJ Stuart Maconie presents a selection of favourite verse and prose illustrating some personal memories, in front of an audience at the Latitude Festival. The readers are Michael Maloney and Lucy Briers. Stuart has a wide-ranging fan base thanks to his eclectic body of work; in addition to having written several books on music and travel, he is a frequent contributor to magazines including the Radio Times, a regular guest on television programmes and an established part of the radio schedules on Radio 2 and 6 Music. Writer and DJ Stuart Maconie presents a selection of favourite verse and prose. | |||
| Clive Stafford Smith | 20090825 | Lawyer and human rights activist Clive Stafford Smith chooses a selection of the writing which has inspired, amused or uplifted him.In 1999 Clive founded the pressure group Reprieve, which fights for the human rights of prisoners. Clive's readers for the programme, which was recorded in front of an audience in Dorset, are Pippa Haywood and Peter Marinker | |||
| Dominic Dromgoole | 20090914 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where this programme is recorded, shares his passion for poetry and prose, without so much as a word by the Bard. Readers are Michelle Terry and John Light. Dominic Dromgoole, director of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, shares his literary passions. | |||
| Will Hutton | 20090921 | Will Hutton, chief executive of the Work Foundation, shares his admiration for not just JM Keynes but also writers such as Dickens and Umberto Eco. Readers are Michelle Terry and William Hope | |||
| Jude Kelly | 20090928 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing.Jude Kelly, artistic director of London's refurbished Southbank Centre, where this programme is recorded, uses extracts from her favourite poetry and literature to argue the case for the central role of creativity and the arts in society. Readers are Diana Quick and John Shrapnel. Guest is Jude Kelly, artistic director of London's refurbished Southbank Centre. | |||
| Michael Morpugo | 20091005 | Children's writer Michael Morpurgo takes a literary journey through his life, with pieces of prose and poetry read by Alison Reid and Christian Rodska.Children's writer Michael Morpurgo takes a literary journey through his life. | |||
| Martha Kearney | 20091019 | chooses pieces of writing which have a special meaning for her, either personally or in her work as a broadcaster. Readers are Niamh Cusack and David Morrissey.Martha Kearney chooses pieces of writing which have a special meaning for her. | |||
| Sir John Major | 20091102 | Former prime minister Sir John Major chooses some of the pieces of writing which have sustained, inspired and entertained him. The readers are Nigel Anthony and Lucy Briers.Former prime minister John Major chooses a selection of his favourite pieces of writing. | |||
| Robert Webb | 20091109 | Comedian Robert Webb presents a selection of his favourite prose and poetry in a special edition recorded at the University of Bedfordshire. It includes the first piece of writing to make him laugh out loud and a poem that best captures his feelings in his newly-acquired role as a father. The readers are Abigail Burdess and Jonathan Dryden Taylor. Comedian Robert Webb presents a selection of his favourite prose and poetry. | |||
| With Great Pleasure At Christmas | 20091225 | Political journalist and Today programme presenter James Naughtie shares some of the pieces of prose and verse which have entertained and inspired him over the years. The readers include Alison Steadman and Bill Paterson.James Naughtie shares some of his favourite pieces of writing. | |||
| Fay Weldon | 20100126 | Guest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Novelist Fay Weldon shares some of her favourite pieces of writing with an audience in Bridport, Dorset.Her readers are Pippa Haywood and Peter Marinker. Novelist Fay Weldon introduces some of her favourite pieces of writing. | |||
| Paul Gambaccini | 20100202 | has broadcast on just about every BBC radio platform over his decades as a radio presenter, but this is an opportunity to hear something he doesn't normally share - his literary interests. They range from Shakespeare to a graphic novel, via Bob Dylan and Arthur Rubinstein. Paul's readers are John Guerrasio, Kathryn Akin and Philip Rosch.Paul Gambaccini celebrates some great writing which has influenced and moved him. | |||
| Robert Webb | 20100209 | ![]() Comedian Robert Webb plunders his bookshelves to present a selection of his favourite prose and poetry in a special edition recorded at the University of Bedfordshire. Including the first piece of writing to make him laugh out loud and a poem that best captures his feelings in his newly-acquired role as a father. The readers are Abigail Burdess and Jonathan Dryden Taylor.Comedian Robert Webb introduces a selection of his favourite prose and poetry. | |||
| Kate Humble | 20100216 | Wildlife presenter Kate Humble shares some favourite pieces of writing with an audience. The readers are John Telfer and Rosie Cavliero.Wildlife presenter Kate Humble shares some favourite pieces of writing with an audience. | |||
| Dominic Dromgoole | | ||||
| Honor Blackman | | ||||
| Joanne Harris | | ||||
| LAST | David Dabydeen | 19991028 | In the last of the present series Guyanese poet and novelist David Dabydeen selects his favourite pieces of writing, with extracts from the work of Sam Selvon, Toni Morrison and D H Lawrence. |
Cast and Crew
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