Desert Island Discs

Monica Dolan is a BAFTA and Olivier award winning actor. She is equally at home playing a wrongfully accused postmistress in Mr Bates Vs the Post Office as she is playing the serial killer Rosemary West. Alongside her many roles in TV, stage and screen, Monica has also written and performed in her award winning one woman play B*easts.Born in 1969, Monica was the youngest of four children and was brought up in Woking. Her parents were Irish and had studied science and came to the UK in the early sixties. It was a very academic family and Monica found her passion for drama when she joined a teenage acting group. She went on to study drama at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since leaving drama school, she has had a very successful career and is known for her ability to master different accents and dialects. When she played the press officer, Tracy Pritchard in the comedyW1A, her Welsh accent was so convincing viewers thought she really was Welsh. Her critically acclaimed career on TV stage and screen has seen her portray the fictional evil Anne Branson in BBC 1’s Sherwood, which earned her another BAFTA nomination. During the COVID pandemic, she gave a mesmeric performance as a grieving widow in The Shrine by Alan Bennett and because of restrictions at the time was her own makeup artist and costume designer. Monica lives in London with her beloved husky, Velma. DISC ONE: The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) - The Banana Splits DISC TWO: That's Entertainment - The Jam DISC THREE: Nothing - Priscilla Lopez (as Diana Morales), A Chorus Line Orchestra, conducted by Don Pippin DISC FOUR: Love and Affection - Joan Armatrading DISC FIVE: MacArthur Park - Richard Harris DISC SIX: The Night - Diane Chorley DISC SEVEN: Us Amazonians - Kirsty MacColl DISC EIGHT: South American Getaway (From "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid") - Burt Bacharach BOOK CHOICE: Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna LUXURY ITEM: A walk-in wardrobe CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Love and Affection - Joan Armatrading Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor

Gustavo Dudamel is a Venezuelan conductor, violinist and composer. He is known for bringing humour and joy to the podium. He is currently director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra and in 2026 will take up the post of music director of the New York Philharmonic, following in the footsteps of Gustav Mahler and Leonard Bernstein. Gustavo was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela in 1981, the son of a trombonist who played in a salsa band, and his mother who was a singing teacher. Growing up in a musical household, young Gustavo used to gather his toys together and put them on the floor in the shape of an orchestra, put a record on and conduct.His parents enrolled five year old Gustavo in the El Sistema music programme and he learned the violin. After showing a flair for conducting he eventually became the conductor of the Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra. After winning the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in Germany in 2004, his talent was spotted on a global stage. He was appointed the director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2008. Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor

In this engaging conversation, Ash Atalla, a renowned television producer from Cairo, shares his journey from a stockbroker to creator of iconic comedies like The Office and People Just Do Nothing. He opens up about overcoming polio, the influence of his family's cultural background, and how they fueled his drive in the industry. Ash discusses the intricacies of comedy production, the importance of awards, and his mixed feelings about identity shaped by his early experiences. With humor and sincerity, he reflects on music that connects him to his life’s pivotal moments.

Carol Klein, a celebrated gardener and broadcaster, shares her journey from art teacher to horticultural star. She reflects on her early love for gardening, the transformative power of nurturing nature, and memorable encounters, including a whimsical chat with John Lennon. Carol highlights the therapeutic benefits of gardening during grief and the importance of fostering environmental awareness among children. Through her passionate storytelling, she emphasizes the joy and accessibility of gardening for everyone, regardless of experience.

Sir Gregory Doran is the former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He spent a total of thirty five years with the RSC directing fifty productions in the UK and abroad. He’s been called “one of the great Shakespeareans of his age” and has won multiple awards for his work.Born in 1958, Greg was brought up near Preston and played a number of female Shakespeare roles when he was a young pupil attending an all-boys secondary school. He went on to study English and Drama at Bristol University followed by a stint studying classical acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After a few bit parts in TV sitcoms and a spell at Nottingham Playhouse, Sir Greg decided that he would prefer to carve out a career as a director. He went on to stage some of the most critically acclaimed theatre productions – including an all-black cast of Julius Caesar and took Titus Andronicus to South Africa.More recently, he has been touring the globe on his Shakespeare’s First Folio tour to look at as many different copies of the texts as possible. He survives his husband, the actor Sir Anthony Sher whom he met in 1987 whilst they were both part of a production of the Merchant of Venice at the RSC in Stratford. Sir Greg lives in London.DISC ONE: Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17, Act 1: Duetto. "Son nata a lagrimar" (Cornelia, Sesto) Composed by Georg Friedrich Händel and performed by Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto) Philippe Jaroussky (counter tenor) Oreo 55 (Orchestra) DISC TWO: Sicut cervus – The Choir of Preston Catholic College DISC THREE: Born Free - Matt Monro DISC FOUR: It’s Raining Men - The Weather Girls DISC FIVE: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes - Paul Simon DISC SIX: J.S. Bach: Cantata \"Ich habe genug\" BWV 82: I. \"Ich habe genug, ich habe den Heiland\". Performed by Thomas Quasthoff (bass-baritone), Berliner Barock Solisten, conducted by Rainer Kussmaul DISC SEVEN: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K.414: 2. Andante. Composed by Mozart and performed by Alfred Brendel (piano) and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner DISC EIGHT: Where the Bee Sucks - Paul Englishby, Royal Shakespeare Company BOOK CHOICE: A 1609 copy of Shakespeare’s Sonnets LUXURY ITEM: A shelf of photo albums CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K.414: 2. Andante. Composed by Mozart and performed by Alfred Brendel (piano) and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville MarrinerPresenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Sarah Taylor

Norma Percy, a celebrated documentary filmmaker known for her in-depth interviews with political leaders, shares her unique insights on storytelling in politics. She recounts the profound impact her father's death had on her and the motivations driving her passion for revealing hidden truths. Her humorous and insightful encounters with key political figures illuminate the importance of transparency. Norma also reflects on the powerful connection between music and personal memories, showcasing how these elements intertwine with her journey in documentary filmmaking.

In this engaging conversation, Lord Alf Dubs, a Labour peer and former MP, shares his remarkable journey from child refugee to political advocate. He discusses his traumatic experiences on the Kindertransport and his father's profound influence during World War II. Alf reflects on his Dubs Amendment, which aimed to bring unaccompanied child refugees to the UK. He intertwines the importance of music with his advocacy, emphasizing empathy in political life, and shares heartfelt memories that shaped his commitment to humanitarian efforts.

Lucy Easthope, an expert in disaster recovery and planning, shares her transformative experiences in managing crises like the Hillsborough disaster and 9/11. She discusses the emotional toll of reintegrating after trauma and the deep connections people have with their belongings. The episode highlights how music serves as a source of resilience and emotional stability, alongside her transition from law to advocating for disaster-affected families. Through personal anecdotes, Lucy emphasizes the importance of compassion in crisis management and the power of storytelling in healing.

Romesh Ranganathan, a BAFTA-winning comedian and broadcaster, shares his journey from math teacher to comedy star. He delves into his cultural identity and familial struggles, illuminating how these experiences shape his humor. With candid anecdotes, he reflects on early career challenges and the importance of family support. Music plays a key role too, as he connects with hip hop's emotional depth and fond memories linked to his mother's cooking. Romesh also ponders philosophical themes from 'The Life of Pi,' weaving together nostalgia for food, music, and family.

Abdulrazak Gurnah, the Nobel Prize-winning writer from Zanzibar, reflects on his fascinating journey through exile and identity. He delves into the lasting impact of the 1964 Zanzibar revolution on his family and the emotional complexities of immigrating to Britain. Gurnah shares his personal anecdotes, revealing the transformative power of storytelling and music in navigating life's challenges. He also offers aspiring writers valuable insights on finding their unique voices and the intricate connections between gardening and the writing process.