Dame Siân Phillips transports Gyles back to her childhood in Wales in the 1930s and 40s, where she grew up in a Welsh-speaking mining village, of which she paints a vivid picture. She describes hearing her policeman father play the piano and sing, playing spy games out with her friends, listening in on meetings of the Home Guard in the kitchen during the war. She also talks about her early success as an actress in her teens, going to RADA, and how she met Peter O'Toole and used to sit up all night with him playing the guitar. She talks about playing Marlene Dietrich and Livia in I, Claudius. This is an evocative interview with a remarkable actress and person. Cue the music. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:09 - Family background in South Wales 05:16 - Parents' unfulfilled ambitions 07:59 - Childhood illnesses and WWII 17:32 - Parents and their later lives 23:30 - Grammar school years 31:31 - Beginning a broadcasting career 39:11 - Auditioning for RADA, moving to London 47:29 - Meeting Peter O'Toole, their marriage, 59:58 - Reflecting on notable roles, including 'I, Claudius' and playing Marlene Dietrich 01:04:49 - Concluding thoughts on life Links: Rosebud Archive - https://www.rosebudpodcast.co.uk/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therosebudpodcast/?hl=en Rosebud Reflections - https://www.facebook.com/groups/782397874458836 #gylesbrandreth #rosebudpodcast #rosebud #damesianphillips #sianphillips #iclaudius