Listen "Adjoa Andoh"
Episode Synopsis
The actor Adjoa Andoh talks to Michael Berkeley about her passion for theatre, opera, and the music that reflects both her English and African heritage.Whether you're a regular at the National Theatre or Old Vic, prefer your entertainment on the big screen, or like to curl up on the sofa in front of Dr Who or Casualty (or - even - with the radio), you'll be familiar with the work of Adjoa Andoh. The daughter of a history teacher and of an exiled Ghanaian journalist, she was heading for a career in the law before making a dramatic switch to acting, and has scarcely been out of work since. Her recent theatre work includes playing the exiled Black Panther leader in Assata Taught Me at The Gate, and Casca in Nicholas Hytner's highly acclaimed production of Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre.She chooses music by Vaughan Williams, Rimsky-Korsakov, Bernstein, Puccini, Britten, and the African musician Dade Krama - music which reflects joyous moments in her life but also the challenges she's faced: growing up mixed race in rural England in the 60s and 70s, forging a career as an actor without a drama school training, and speaking up about being the mother of a transgender child. Producer: Jane Greenwood
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 3.
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 3.
More episodes of the podcast Private Passions
Peter Purves
18/01/2026
Vanessa Williams
11/01/2026
Alison Weir
04/01/2026
Pam Ayres
21/12/2025
Louise Penny
23/11/2025
Lea Ypi
16/11/2025
Hugh Bonneville
09/11/2025
Annabel Croft
02/11/2025
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer
26/10/2025
Hollie McNish
19/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.