BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts

Hello, I'm Lauren Laverne, and this is the Desert Island Disks podcast.

This is the only extract the BBC has of this episode.

The surviving recording did not include the music, so we've recreated the program, adding

the castaways' choices.

For right reasons, the music is shorter than on the original broadcast.

The presenter is Roy Plomley, I hope you enjoy listening.

Now looking back, George Childhood, do you recall any particular moment of inspiration

when you said to yourself, I'm going to be a dancer?

Well, I never said to myself, I'm going to be a dancer.

Well, how did it happen?

Well, I had black feet.

Well, said it, I, but it never made me a dancer.

Well, what happened there?

Well, I was sent to have exercises to strengthen them, and that started my training.

What was your very first professional appearance?

Here in London, in Christmas Pandermine, the Quittington, at the All-Kennington Theatre.

How old were you then?

I was 10 years from age.

And after that?

Well, that led me to train seriously with Seraphina Staffia by the great Russian teacher.

Here in London.

...