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Stephen Frears

Sue Lawley's castaway is director Stephen Frears.

This week Sue Lawley's castaway is the film director Stephen Frears. His film credits include My Beautiful Launderette, When Sammy and Rosie Get Laid, Dangerous Liaisons, High Fidelity and, most recently, Dirty Pretty Things. He is one of Britain's most talented and well-known directors, achieving success with his Hollywood work as much as for low budget, British productions.

He was born in Leicester in 1941 and, despite studying law at Cambridge, was not tempted to train to be a lawyer, and instead sought employment at the ground-breaking Royal Court Theatre in London. He left the Royal Court in the 1960s to work with the highly acclaimed Czech film-maker Karel Reisz. His television work has included many collaborations with Alan Bennett, but it wasn't until the 1980s that he became famous with a film that was initially destined for television, which was so successful it was released to cinemas. It was 'My Beautiful Launderette' - starring a then unknown Daniel Day Lewis and examining the racial and sexual tensions of Thatcher's Britain.

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

Favourite track: I'm Against It by Grouch Marx
Book: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
Luxury: A painting by his wife

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 23 Jan 2004 09:00
91热爆 Radio 4

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Jimmy Tarbuck

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Paul Dacre

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Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Groucho Marx

      I'm Against It

      • The Marx Brothers Sing and Play Vol. 1.
      • Cinema.

  • Tanner Sisters

    Goodnight Irene

    Artist: The Hedley Ward Trio

    • When He's All Dolled Up / Goodnight Irene.
    • HMV.

  • Bill Haley and His Comets

    Rock Around The Clock

    • Bill Haley and his Comets from the original Master Tapes.
    • MCA.

  • Michel Legrand

    Le Retour de Guy Chez Elise

    Soloist: Catherine Deneuve/Nino Castelnuovo

    • Les Parapluise de Cherbourg.
    • Philips.

  • Elvis Presley

    Love Me Tender

    • Jailhouse Rock.
    • RCA.

  • Bob McGrath

    Skinnermarink

    • WHITE LABEL.

  • Alan Green

    Radio 5 Commentary on the Cup Final May 2002 - 91热爆 Radio 5 Archive

  • Pulp

    Common People

    • Mis-shapes. Sorted for E's and Wizz.
    • Island.

  • Book Choice

    • The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - Edward Gibbon

  • Luxury Choice

    • A painting by his wife

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Stephen Frears

Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Jan 2004 11:15
    91热爆 Radio 4
  • Fri 23 Jan 2004 09:00
    91热爆 Radio 4

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