Beryl Bainbridge began her career as an assistant stage manager at the Liverpool Playhouse, and went on to become a writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her acting career, about how, through writing to fill in the time, she became a successful novelist, and about her painting. She also chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Simple Little Melody by Oscar Straus