Q and A

I came across a Victorian Confessions book where you had to state your favourites things. I’ve used some of the questions from the book and added others. There’s a huge opportunity to come up with some naff and embarrassing answers but they may also be revealing.

Favourite colour? 

Blue (though I’m not a Tory!)

Beauty in nature?

The sea

Favourite animal?

Human

Flower? 

Cornflower

Musical instrument? 

Piano, cello

What makes you happy?

Sunshine, travel

Unhappy? 

Mice, rats. It’s a phobia I have.

Heroes/Heroines?

Those who dedicate their lives to helping the less fortunate. And people who do dirty or anti-social jobs that I wouldn’t want to do. And John Pilger,

Villains?

The lying politicians (tautology?) who took us into war with Iraq.

Favourite film?

Brief Encounter, Il Postino, The Third Man.

Favourite play?

Most by Shakespeare, Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie. 

Favourite song?

I only have eyes for you, Somewhere, Moon River.

Favourite actor/actress?

Don’t have a favourite actors, rather favourite performances. Film actors: Spencer Tracy, Johnny Depp.

Theatrical experience? 

I was so moved by Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake (with male swans) I couldn't speak for half an hour afterwards. And for sheer fun and great tunes, I loved Jerry Springer-the Opera!

Favourite playwright?

Shakespeare.

Favourite poet? 

Shakespeare.

Composer?

Mozart, Schubert, Schumann (songs and chamber music), Britten, Leonard Bernstein, Copland, Richard Rodgers.

Musical? 

West Side Story, Pacific Overtures

Singer?

Sinatra, Ian Bostridge

Opera?

(in no particular order): Peter Grimes, Cosi Fan Tutte, Amahl & the Night Visitors, L’enfant et les Sortilege, Der Rosenkavalier, Eugene Onegin.

Favourite novelist?  

 Of all the books I’ve recorded my favourites are Oxygen by Andrew Miller and Melvun Burgess' Billy Elliot. F The book that’s given me the most pleasure in recent years (that I didn’t recorded) is “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”. The funniest book I've read is "What's my Motivation?" by Michael Simkins. Funny & true about an actor's life. Favourite classic book: "Great Expectations".And a book that inspired me: Ludovic Kennedy's lively "All in the Mind: A Farewell to God".

Artist?

Matisse

Qualities in men?

Tolerance, compassion, humour

Women?

The same.

Most overrated quality?

Patriotism

Most underrated?

Punctuality

Sport?

Football. I’ve supported Newcastle United since I was a lad....through thick and thin (mostly thin!)

Favourite food?

I love vegetables like sprouts, parsnips, swede, chick peas, cabbage, etc. etc.

Least favourite food?

Crisps

Newspaper?

I’ve read The Observer since I was a  student, though it's a lot less liberal than it was.

Magazine?

I’ve always been fascinated by the interior of people's houses. I enjoy reading the Evening Standard supplement “Homes and Property”.

Favourite cities?

London, Paris, Venice, New York and of course my home city: Newcastle.

Wonders of the world?   

The Taj Mahal, Venice and Sydney Harbour all took my breath away....literally

Favourite cuisine?

British. Is there anything better than a roast with all the trimmings followed by fresh apricot crumble and cream? I doubt it.

What's funny?

I enjoy Northern humour: Alan Bennett, Victoria Wood, Royle Family and the Geordie comedians: Bobby Pattinson, Bobby Thompson. Also The Office.

Unfunny?

Practical jokers...

Favourite store?

Waitrose

Clothes? 

Gap/Abercrombie & Fitch for underwear!!

Smell?

Paul Smith Men/Sunshine

Star sign?

Sagittarius.

Sandwich filling? 

Bacon.

TV/radio turn on?

I’m addicted to news; documentaries on current affairs & the arts.

Turn off?

Religion

The Archers.

I'm a born-again atheist

Good law?

Banning smoking in public places, Banning smacking of children, Outlawing hunting with hounds.

Bad law?

The Council Tax.  ID Cards.

Good invention?

Self-defrosting fridges.

Bad invention? 

Automatic hand-dryers.

Hated phrases?

Sorry for any inconvenience caused, baby on board, 24/7, know what I mean? And I hate it when theatregoers are called "punters".

Regrets?

Finally, what is bliss?

I wish I'd learned to dance.

Eating a meal al fresco on a balmy evening overlooking beautiful countryside or the sea in Italy or France or Greece or Spain (or the UK if the weather were warm enough) Great food, cold wine, good company.....Bliss!