THE DESERT ISLAND THOUGHTS OF …PAULINE DANIELS.
Occupation and Brief Resume: Stand up comedian singer and actor, Pauline Daniels has just completed an 18 month tour of the Gary Barlow and Tim Firth musical Calendar Girls, but is probably best knows as a stand up comedian. She also carries off a brilliant Shirley Valentine (a role she recently reprised in her own kitchen to keep her fellow detainees in lockdown entertained, much to many people’s delight) and is a much loved member the recently revived Everyman Rep company.
FILMS:
A good film I’ve watched recently …:I’m not a massive film buff, so I haven’t really seen anything decent except – get ready for this – Book Club. I know it’s not very cultural or intelligent but it was a celebration of women of a certain age, has a fabulous cast and is very funny: I loved Candice Bergen.
One of the best films I’ve EVER watched: Godfather II and Once Upon A Time in America; I can’t split them. I’m also desperate to see The Reader , but I just keep forgetting to download it. I hear it’s a fabulous film.
Got to be good if he’s in it: Robert De Niro.
Got to be good if she’s in it: Meryl Streep.
TV Series not to be missed and why: Homeland. It’s very close to the truth and has so many twists and turns.
Best ever comedy series and why: This is difficult, but after much deliberation, I’m going with Fawlty Towers.
Funniest Stand Up Comedian: Ooooooh, so hard to choose!!! Can I have 3? (Yes, go then. As you asked so nicely! – CHR) If so it’s, Robin Williams, Joan Rivers and Ken Dodd.
MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS!!!!
Three great albums you must listen to: The Eagles Greatest Hits , Al Jarreau Breaking Away and The Beatles The White Album.
Three songs you must listen to: The Man with the Child in His Eyes, by Hue and Cry. Friends in Low Places by Garth Brookes and The Other Woman by Gerrard Kenny.
A great band/artist you need to check out and why: I’m checking out Jack Savoretti and Josh Turner, country singer with a very deep voice and I’m liking him lots.
Best artist/band you’ve seen live and why: I saw The Eagles at the Echo Arena five years ago and it was one of the best ever concerts. They were just superb; a master class in music and harmony without being over the top; just so relaxed and brilliant!
Best Novel: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I read it years ago and I really loved it. I haven’t seen the film, I don’t want to spoil the book.
Best Biography: Rich by Melvyn Bragg, about Richard Burton.
Best Autobiography: Mine!!!!!………..No, I’m joking. I loved Lauren Bacall’s By Myself. It was just like she was sitting in the room talking to me.
A Single Poem to Inspire: Smiling Is Infectious, Spike Milligan
FOOD!!!
Your signature dish: I love Lobster Thermidor, but a great fillet steak will do too please.
Favourite Restaurant I can’t Wait To Book A Table In: ANY!! I’m fed of cooking and we will have both missed our birthdays by the time we get out. It will be a delight to be anywhere, well, …. apart from McDonalds, Burger King or KFC!
DRINK!!!
A Good Recommendation To Chill Out With Would Be … I love a Tipsy Turtle Gin, with lots of fruit and a Mediterranean tonic. It’s a very palatable drink and so refreshing in this weather. When it’s cold though, I’m a whisky girl!
ACTIVITY SUGGESTION FOR FILLING IN THE DAY WITH KIDS OR
NOT (Family Audience remember ): The best thing children can do is read … A lot; quietly and in a room that’s nowhere near me! It’s good for their education and they can learn so much from books.
Your Greatest DIY Achievement That Has Stood The Test of Time … and what made you attempt it: Oh I’m useless! The first time my Frank came to my flat for a meal, he ended up having to screw all the chairs and the table together because I thought they looked ok and I didn’t think I’d ever have anyone round to eat with me, so wasn’t too worried. If he’d sat on the chair, he could have damaged himself forever! He then, at different times, had to go around the whole of my flat fixing everything.
Something That Might Interest You About Me Is … I learnt to speak French when I was 7. I had a teacher who thought it would be great to teach us all young and that way it would stick. At the age of 10, I could read a french newspaper!
Sadly when I went to my secondary school, I’d heard it all before and became bored so swapped it for history in my third year.
I’m also an honorary Fellow of John Moores University: one of my proudest ever achievements!
Holiday of a Lifetime – when this is all over: Australia and New Zealand.
Three Luxuries You’d Take With You To Lockdown Island and Why (Nothing that might aid an escape, messaging or making contact with civilisation allowed): Mascara, and sun screen. I’m a bit of a ging, so need a good SPF. And music, so an iPod I suppose.
A Piece of Wisdom To Pass On Would Be: Treat people as you want to be treated. We are all equal, so be kind and try to forgive.
One Thing I Hope Comes Out Of All This Is … Care for our community. It’s been great seeing our local businesses helping people who haven’t been able to go out, and delivering meals to them and all of us smiling at people we didn’t smile at before. We ask each other “how we are” now and we really do care. The sense of community spirit has been marvellous, so let’s keep that up please!
More details about Pauline Daniels can be found in her autobiography: Pauline Daniels: Stand Up and Be Counted.