Peter Ustinov and John Bird - Ustinov At Eighty (2002) [Full Cassette Rip]

Cassette rip of an interview with the actor Peter Ustinov by the comedian John Bird, looking back on Ustinov's life in the year of his eightieth birthday. First broadcast, according to BBC Genome, on BBC Radio 4 on the 10th of April 2001.
From the box:
AS HEARD ON RADIO 4, PETER USTINOV TALKS TO JOHN BIRD ABOUT HIS LIFE AND CAREER TO DATE.
Peter Ustinov has an astonishing range of accomplishments and credits to his name. He has written 23 plays and 13 books, appeared in 50 films, and has in his time collected two Oscars, three Emmys and a Grammy. He is also a director, producer, raconteur and the recipient of many humanitarian awards.
In this interview with John Bird, conducted on the approach to his 80th birthday, Ustinov recounts scenes from his childhood (including performing cabaret for Haile Selassie at the age of three) and describes the changing relationship he had with his mother and father. He remembers his wartime screenwriting partnership with David Niven, and recalls working in radio comedy with Peter Jones. He and Bird also discuss laughter and our need for it, and the different ways in which Ustinov is regarded from country to country. A previously unbroadcast introduction by John Bird is also included on this cassette.
I've made a rough attempt at breaking this down by subject:
00:00 - Preamble.
05:08 - Interview begins.
05:14 - Reputation in different countries.
06:53 - Sense of humour in different countries.
08:27 - Would you bridle at being described as a comedian?
09:24 - Is Peter Ustinov lazy?
10:26 - Nature of laughter. Digressions into one of Ustinov's books, as far as I can tell "The Old Man And Mr. Smith", and the Turin Shroud.
15:23 - Ustinov's recent shows.
16:15 - Excerpt from performance in Toronto.
18:43 - Humour in Ustinov's childhood.
22:08 - Work in wartime.
26:24 - Impressions of the military.
28:39 - Ustinov's parents.
31:56 - Ustinov's broader family.
34:26 - Conscientious objection.
35:29 - Beginnings of career. Discussion of his first play - "House Of Regrets".
39:23 - Feelings on writing, acting, and directing, with digression at 43:26 into attitudes into attitudes to theatre in different countries.
46:32 - Post-war comedy, with excerpt at 48:00 from "In All Directions".
51:37 - Improvisation.
52:53 - Early films - "Quo Vadis", "One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing", and "Billy Budd" - and styles of acting.
58:53 - Opera.
1:02:23 - Recent work and future plans.
1:03:53 - Playing dead.
1:05:54 - Age, doubt, conviction, and prejudice.
1:08:24 - Work with UNICEF.
1:09:18 - A complicity between the young and the old.
1:10:16 - Ending.

[@loreneholbrook5600]

I never tire of listening to Mr. Ustinov. His stories, his experiences are my "walking companions". The stories of his generation are by far the most interesting.

[@Boba899]

Thank you.

[@annekinsale1521]

My favourite raconteur, polyglot and most widely proficient polymath.
💚💖💙💜💛♥🧡🤍

[@markhayward7400]

Even in his anecdotage, Peter Ustinov was an absolute joy to listen to!

[@fatfrreddy1414]

terrific...