Showing results by publisher "BBC Audio" in Biographies & Memoirs

This series, broadcast on Radio 4, is an assessment of the Bible's cultural, political, moral, social and personal impact. It is also a personal odyssey for John McCarthy as he questions the chapters he read during his time in captivity and discusses the meaning of truth and what it means to be human.

Regarded by many as the greatest actor of the 20th century, Laurence Olivier enjoyed a stellar career in film, theatre and television, winning multiple awards along the way from the 1920s to the 1980s. In this absorbing collection of archive interviews he discusses his schooldays and early acting career, his drama training, his spells as actor-manager running the Old Vic and the National Theatre (which he helped create), his wartime service and his friendship and collaboration with fellow actors, including John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson.

David Dickinson is a household name, the king of the catchphrase, undisputed darling of daytime TV and a rising star. He's a respected antiques expert and exudes a taste for the finer things in life. But the road to his success has not been as smooth as his patter and he's learnt a lot at the school of hard knocks. David was first introduced to showbiz when he travelled the world as the manager of his international cabaret star wife, Lorne.

Northern Ireland was a very dark place in the 1980s. A hunger strike was looming, street violence and tit for tat murders were an everyday occurrence, but in a small corner of West Belfast something extraordinary was happening. In a factory in Dunmurry a unique new sports car was being built, a DMC 12, a style icon for the late 20th century. For 2 years John DeLorean brought hope to communities flattened by the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

This fascinating collection of archive interviews with the renowned actress and MP begins with an archive radio interview in 1970 and runs through to a guest appearance on Desert Island Discs in 1997. Along the way, Glenda Jackson appears on numerous programmes including Omnibus, Profile, Parkinson, In the Psychiatrist's Chair and Start the Week, during the course of which she discusses her background and early years, women in theatre, and her journey from being a highly successful actress to becoming a member of parliament.

Sir Steve Redgrave is a former British rower who won five Gold Medals in five successive Olympic Games. In this collection we hear—in his own words—about why he retired after the Olympic Games in Atlanta, yet returned for his fifth victory in Sydney. He discusses his early days rowing and his post-race emotions, and memories of his last race. He's also open about his retirement and knowing that Sydney was the last time, as well as missing the team and routine.

World War I saw an unprecedented loss of life in Western Europe, and destruction on a scale no one alive had ever seen. All those who experienced it were irrevocably changed, including many writers and artists upon whose oeuvre it left an indelible mark. This captivating series examines the impact of the war on artists and thinkers through the prism of their great works. In each episode, a leading figure from the worlds of science, culture and the arts reflects on a single iconic piece, and discusses how the events of 1914-18 shaped its creation.

Stephen King is one of the world's most successful authors, with a long list of hit novels to his name including Carrie, Misery, The Shining and Doctor Sleep. Here he discusses his life, his writing career and his many achievements in a series of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archives.

In this fascinating collection of archive interviews with the famed lead singer of the Rolling Stones, we hear—in his owns words—about being the voice of his generation. Mick Jagger talks about touring with one of the biggest bands in the world and why he needs to perform. He discusses his favourite Stones songs and is extraordinarily open about some of his personal experiences, which have included drugs and alcohol, prison and being anti-establishment.

This fascinating collection of archive interviews with the acclaimed playwright, whose centenary was celebrated in 2011, begins in 1969 with a radio appearance on Out This Week. It culminates with an interview for Kaleidoscope in 1977, recorded a few months before his death. In between are several major radio features on Rattigan's life and work, in which he discusses the craft of playwriting, the state of commercial theatre, comparisons with Coward and Pinter and more.

In interviews ranging from 1963 to 2009, Shirley Bassey talks about her childhood in Tiger Bay, being a tomboy and how she began her singing career. As well as clothes, concerts and controversially performing in Sun City (South Africa), she also talks in detail about her long career in show business.

Sir John Gielgud was one of his generation's leading actors, who won an Academy Award. In this collection we hear—in his own words—about his family and childhood, deciding to be an actor and his first confident performance. He discusses understudying Noël Coward and failing as Romeo, playing Hamlet for the first time and working with other actors. He also talks about bringing Shakespeare back to the West End, directing plays himself, film vs theatre acting, making mistakes and writing his autobiographies.

This fascinating collection of interviews with Sebastian Coe provides an insight into one of Britain’s finest mid-distance runners. With clips and talks with other notable figures, Sebastian Coe in His Own Words find Sebastian Coe discussing his running, his passions and what drives him to succeed.

John le Carré was a best-selling author whose books include and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. On this recording we hear - in his own words - about being brought up by his grandparents and feeling deserted by his mother and father. He talks about being creative as a means of escapism, by telling stories about his absent parents, as well as hating public school where he suffered severe beatings.

Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches.

In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, Martina Navratilova talks about her life and career as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

In interviews ranging from 1960 to 1972, Noël Coward talks about being a legend, whether he is a cynical writer, his early days in acting and about his early reputation for upsetting fellow actors on stage. He also discusses acting with Laurence Olivier, his affection for the navy, his film-making, his knighthood and writing 'Private Lives' for his friend Gertrude Lawrence.

Perhaps best-known for his outrageously brilliant one-liners on Mock the Week, comedian Glenn Moore delivers a tale of comic mishaps in this BBC radio comedy series. Looking back through his almanac at a big event in history, Glenn finds out what he was doing at the time and looks into other strange connections to the day in question. Sit back and listen as Glenn interweaves extraordinary scenes from his life with a big event in history.

In a selection of interviews ranging from 1958 to 1987, Bette Davis talks about visiting England, her career as a star, the film studio's attempts to change her name and image and the Hollywood film system.

Journalist Matt Majendie brings listeners the whole story from 2012 to 2020, told by the people who were there. You'll hear from Paula Radcliffe and Sebastian Coe on London 2012, the expert German investigator who cracked the case wide open and the athletes who doped. The programme also gained access to the elite Swiss lab racing to finish testing London 2012 samples and spoke to the man who masterminded doping control at the London games.