Dame Rebecca West

First transmitted in 1976, Dame Rebecca West recalls her life and career in conversation with Ludovic Kennedy. She analyses the strength of HG Wells as a writer, debunks the myth that George Bernard Shaw flirted with her ('silly old buffoon'), describes Joseph Conrad's struggle to understand Jane Austen and talks about her coverage of Lord Haw-Haw's trial for treason. She also comments on the current feminist movement, discusses modern novelists and defends her criticism of television interviewers.Born Cicily Isabel Fairfield, the author adopted the name Rebecca West after playing that character in Henrik Ibsen's 'Rosmersholm' while studying acting at RADA. West had a ten-year love affair with HG Wells and gave birth to his son in 1914.