This download is the only extract the BBC has of this edition of desert island discs. The presenter was Roy Plumley.

Ron, would you say that your ability to entertain manifested itself very early in your life?

It did. About the age of five, I think. I remember then dressing up in hats and things and imitating people all the time.

Yes. And you've told us that you've studied music?

Yes.

When you left school, you went into the RAF.

I started off as aircrew then I remastered to radar and then I was a teacher.

In the EVT scheme I was teaching, you know, servicemen, current fears, accounting before they went back into civil street.

And then you went to the London School of Economics with a view to what?

Well, while I was teaching in the Air Force, I began to read more than I'd read before.

And Shaw was one of the great influences. I was so astounded by this man's incredible power of paradox.

How he could stand so high above society and see so many things, so many relationships that shocked people.

And I wanted to understand how he could have done this and I went to LSE to do sociology.

Yes.

You took your BSE then you stayed on to do some research?

Yes, yes.

The psychosocheological aspects of industrial morale.

That was a short title.

Yes. Well, it's something every actor should know about.

How did the theatre come into it?

I think I was sidetracked into it by student concerts and shows which I did and I started writing them directing them.

Yes.

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