Recording of a broadcast interview with Burgess by Gloria Hunniford as part of the publicity for "The Kingdom of the Wicked", and the BBC screening of "AD", in which Burgess talks about his motherless childhood, time in the British Army, life in Monaco, Christianity, his processes of musical and literary composition, and film adaptations, with reference to further works and figures including "Muchismos Gracias", "Blooms of Dublin", "A Clockwork Orange", Princess Grace of Monaco, D. H. Lawrence, Stanley Kubrick, Burgess’s first wife Lynne and his son, Paolo Andrea.

00:29-02:07, The interview begins with Burgess recalling his experience of V.E. Day and his time in the British Army.

02:08-07:49, Burgess speaks about his family, childhood, the death of his mother and sister in the 1918 influenza epidemic, and his musical career. Works and figures referenced include “Muchismos Gracias”, Blooms of Dublin”, and D. H. Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers”

08.14-11:49, After a musical interlude, talk turns to Burgess’ life in Monaco, Princess Grace of Monaco, and their work on the Princess Grace Irish Library.

11:50-13:38, The conversation touches on Burgess’ Irish and Scottish heritage, his son Paolo Andrea’s interest in Celtic identity, Liana Burgess, and their life away from Britain.

13:49-15:24, Hunniford asks Burgess about his prolific literary output and terminal brain tumour diagnosis. Works and figures referenced include Edmund Goulding’s “Dark Victory”, Virginia Woolf, and H. G. Wells.

15:25-17:33, Talk turns to Burgess’ interest in Christianity and Rome. Works and figures referenced include “The Kingdom of the Wicked”, “AD”, and St. Paul.

18:00-21:54, Burgess speaks about “A Clockwork Orange” and Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation. Figures referenced include The Rolling Stones and the mugging of Burgess’ first wife Lynne by American soldiers during World War 2.

21:55-25:45, The final part of the interview discusses the difficulties of adapting literary works for the screen, film rights, Burgess’ relationship to money, and his daily writing routine. Works referenced include William Styron’s “Sophie’s Choice” and Evelyn Waugh’s “Brideshead Revisted”.

25:46-26:00, Hunniford concludes the programme.

The recording is interspersed with musical interludes throughout. Partial recordings of the following songs are audible: Harry Newson, “Without Her” (07:70-08:13); Don McLean, “Castle in the Air” (17:34-17:59); The Carpenters, “Goodbye to Love” (26:00-26:36); Phil Collins, “One More Night” (26:55-27:14).

A partial recording of a news broadcast is audible in the closing minutes of the recording (26:37-26:54).

Open

This recording has been digitised and is accessible to researchers in mp3 format.