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DESERT ISLAND DISCS REVISITED: LONGPLAY - JAMES CORDEN (320kbs-m4a/133mb/58mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 12th February 2023
Actor, writer and US chat show host, James Corden shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young.
In a specially extended edition for BBC Radio 4 Extra, he shares his record, book and luxury choices.
As a child he longed to act - he found early success in Alan Bennett's play The History Boys and became a household name for the TV show he devised and co-wrote, Gavin and Stacey.
At the time of this recording in 2012, James was starring in One Man, Two Guvnors. It had transferred from London's West End to New York's Broadway and he says: "I'm well aware that this could well be the best part that I ever play on stage - it's a gift for any actor who has any interest in comedy. It feels like all my dreams come true."
BOOK CHOICE - A guide to learning the piano
LUXURY CHOICE - A piano
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE - Days Like This - Van Morrison
Desert Island Discs was created by Roy Plomley.
Producer: Corinna Jones.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in September 2012.
Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
Van Morrison - Days Like This
Paul Simon - Gumboots
Rufus Wainwright - The Art Teacher
Erasure - A Little Respect
Brent Carver - She's A Woman
Bonnie Raitt - I Can't Make You Love Me
Danielle de Niese - Vide Cor Meum
THIS CULTURAL LIFE - 38. JAMES CORDEN (320kbs-m4a/98mb/43mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 24th September 2022
Actor, writer and comedian James Corden reveals the most important people, events and cultural works that inspired his own creativity. He's now probably best known as an Emmy-winning television chat show host, although he recently announced that he would step down from The Late Late Show in 2023. James Corden is the co-creator of the much-loved BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey, for which he won a BAFTA. His stage work includes Alan Bennett's National Theatre play The History Boys, and the starring role in One Man Two Guvnors, which won him a Tony Award after it transferred to Broadway. His film roles include Oceans 8, Peter Rabbit, Into The Woods and The Prom.
James Corden reveals how he wanted to entertain audiences from a very young age, and his theatrical ambitions were encouraged by his father who would take him to see musicals. He chooses the experience of seeing Gary Wilmot starring in the stage show Me and My Girl as one of his most important inspirations. He also reflects on the experience of working for writer-director Shane Meadows on the film 24/7, which starred Bob Hoskins, and the huge influence on his own work of filmmaker Mike Leigh. James also chooses the television comedy drama series The Royle Family as one of the inspirations for his series Gavin and Stacey, which he co-wrote with Ruth Jones. Reflecting on his recent decision to leave The Late Late Show, he reveals that he was persuaded to move on and pursue new creative challenges by a David Bowie quote.
Producer: Edwina Pitman