Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

• Gyles's diary, episode 16

  This is a fun episode of diaries, as we hear about the gap year travels not only of Gyles, but also of Harriet too. Because she has finally dug out an old diary, and shares a few entries with Gyles at the beginning of today's show - and they're from her gap year, which was partly spent travelling in India. Then we get stuck into Gyles's travels, which were in the U.S. We hear about his job, teaching in a school in Baltimore, his trip to New York City to stay with some relations, his Aunt Polly's funeral, and his money worries. This episode also features another brief appearance from Joan of Arc, who first appeared in the Beethoven show last week - and it features Harriet and Gyles testing out their American accents. Apologies to any genuine Americans listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Sir David Jason

  This week, Gyles is joined by very special guest Sir David Jason, who talks about memories of his career: how he started out in his local theatre group in north London, and progressed through amateur dramatics, to rep, and finally to the West End and television. There are, of course, a few cameos and helping hands along the way: Brian Epstein, Humphrey Barclay, Ronnie Barker and John Sullivan, to name but a few. You'll know Sir David's television work, because it's legendary: Only Fools and Horses, Open All Hours and Touch of Frost are classics which will be watched for many years to come. But you may not know about his early work on the stage, or his humble roots as a mechanic and then an electrician, or about the impressions he did of his teacher at school, or about the crucial role Ronnie Barker played in getting his career off the ground. This is a funny and touching conversation with one of the true legends of British stage and screen. Thank you to Sir David for your time, and wonderful stories. Sir David's book, This Time Next Year, is out now in paperback, published by Penguin. This episode was recorded at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in London, thank you to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• More Rosebud - Brandreth meets Beethoven

  We've got something quite unique for you this week: an episode of More Rosebud, in which Gyles meets one of the greatest composers who ever lived : Ludwig Van Beethoven. In this fascinating conversation, Gyles will find out about Beethoven's first memory, his challenging childhood in which he was forced to play the piano by his drunken father, and his ascent to genius, both aided and hampered by his encroaching deafness. In this conversation, Beethoven is brought to life by the writer and performer, Tama Matheson. What you are going to hear is a classic Rosebud interview, answered by Tama as if he were Beethoven himself. Tama is a brilliiant performer who has written and conceived a series of shows based on the lives of great artists - composers and poets - in which he brings these geniuses to life through performance, music, and meticulous research. Tama's amazing show about the life of Beethoven I Shall Hear In Heaven is at Opera Holland Park in London on the 6th and 8th August. Tickets are available here. Tama's own website is here. The Moonlight Sonata at the end of the episode is played by Jason Gillham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Rosebud at Sissinghurst - Sarah Raven and Adam Nicolson

  It's Chelsea Flower Show in London this week, and at Rosebud we're celebrating - with this special episode recorded at one of the most beautiful gardens in the world: Sissinghurst Castle in Kent. At Sissinghurst Gyles meets the writer Adam Nicolson, grandson of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson (who famously conceived and designed the garden there) and his wife Sarah Raven, the plantswoman and entrepreneur, who is one of the most influential people in gardening today. Sarah's garden at Perch Hill in Sussex, and the business she runs from there, have been instrumental in introducing a new abundant, naturalistic and colourful style in gardening, and her story is fascinating.This is a brilliant conversation about the history of Sissinghurst and the Nicolson family, and about Sarah's childhood 'botanising' with her father, John Raven. It's also about finding wild tulips, the meaning of the word 'wharfinger' and the burden of inheritance. Adam Nicolson's latest book, which is brilliant, is called Bird School and is available here. Sarah Raven's website is inspirational for any gardener and is here. Her book, A Year Full of Pots, is also highly recommended. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Gyles's diary, episode 15

  The second half of 1966 - Marlene Dietrich, university interviews, and the final goodbyes.This is a roller-coaster episode of Gyles's diaries, which is full of incident. Encouraged by his mother, Gyles goes on a charitable summer camp to Kent and doesn't enjoy it; there is a scandal at school while he is preparing for his Oxford entrance exam; he and Simon Cadell see Marlene Dietrich live in Golders Green and, in a moving finale, he leaves Bedales for good and gets goodbye letters from some old friends. Plus Gyles and Harriet chat. NB in this episode there is some discussion of some sensitive issues around teacher/pupil relationships. As Gyles reflects, these diaries present what happened to Gyles back in the 1960s - times have changed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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