Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

• Samuel West

  The actor Samuel West is our guest today, and we recorded this episode earlier this month, not long before his mother, Prunella Scales's death on 27 October, and not long after his father, Timothy West's memorial service in London (Timothy West died in November 2024). In this conversation, Sam talks about his parents, Timothy West and Prunella Scales, and what it was like to grow up immersed in the theatrical world. Timothy was often away on tour, and Sam talks about missing him - but being inspired by his work ethic and by the life of the classical touring actor. He talks about his mother's talent and about her famous portrayal of Sybil Fawlty. He talks about his own university days, and how winning a bottle of champagne in a first year drama competition was a turning point. He talks about Stanislavsky and the craft of acting. And finally he talks about his parents' love of barge holidays, and the joy their TV barging brought to so many.This episode is a celebration of a great theatrical family, and we're delighted and honoured that Sam recorded a Rosebud conversation with Gyles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:08:19

  --------

  1:08:19
• Sebastian Faulks

  Gyles speaks to the novelist and writer Sebastian Faulks, who tells him about his childhood growing up in Berkshire and his clear memories of being left at boarding school when he was seven. He talks about his rebellious streak, drawn out by rock and pop music, which manifested itself in periods of instability at school and university. He talks about the close friends he made at Cambridge, and going on University Challenge. He talks about writing his first novel and how he had his breakout moment. Sebastian's new book, a collection of autobiographical essays called 'Fires Which Burned Brightly: A Life in Progress' is out now, and available here. Many thanks to Sebastian for coming to talk to us on Rosebud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:02:09

  --------

  1:02:09
• Charles Spencer

  This week's guest is Charles Spencer: the writer, broadcaster, and heir to the Spencer family title and estate at Althorp, where his sister, Diana, is buried. In this unmissable conversation, Charles talks to Gyles about his childhood, the breakdown of his parents' marriage, and his mother's sudden and shocking departure from the family home. He talks about his three sisters, and his close relationship with Diana. He talks about his schooldays, and in particular his harrowing experience at Maidwell Hall prep school - this episode does include Charles's account of the corporal punishment that took place there and his own experience of serious sexual abuse by a staff member. He talks about his happier time at Eton. And finally, he talks about the eulogy he gave at Diana's funeral and the extraordinary effect it had. This is a fascinating, unflinching, and deeply moving conversation. Many thanks to Earl Spencer for being our guest on Rosebud. Charles Spencer's book, A Very Private School, is available here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:19:41

  --------

  1:19:41
• Gyles's diary, episode 27

  A momentous time for the young GDB in this week's diaries, as he prepares to take his finals and to leave Oxford. The three years have flown by, as they do for all undergraduates - but Gyles has packed more in than most. And, despite the fact he's in the middle of his exams, he continues to do so this term. No sooner has the ink dried on his last history exam paper, he's off up to London to get his hair cut and appear as a talking head in a BBC election broadcast. All this, plus some vintage, and slightly hysterical, Gyles and Harriet chat. Enjoy this. You can find Rosebud on Instagram @therosebudpodcast and our new Facebook group "Rosebud Reflections" is fun too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  58:12

  --------

  58:12
• Sir David Hare

  Sir David Hare is one of the UK's most prolific and successful playwrights, and in this episode he talks to Gyles first about theatre, about great actors, and about the sensitivity necessary to writing drama; he also talks about his unusual childhood - his father was in the merchant navy and was rarely at home, his mother was resourceful and talented but also fearful and anxious. He talks about the teachers who helped inspire him to read and broaden his horizons. He talks about his relationship with the fashion designer Nicole Farhi, and about his new play Grace Pervades, which is about the Victorian actor Sir Henry Irving and his relationship with the great actress Ellen Terry. This is a wide-ranging conversation, bristling with honesty and self-awareness. Thank you Sir David for your time, energy and brilliant stories - we really were honoured to speak to you on Rosebud. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  --------  

  1:12:47

  --------

  1:12:47

More Society & Culture podcasts

Trending Society & Culture podcasts

About Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth