FIRST IMPRESSIONS: LES DENNIS
What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently appearing as King Arthur in Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre in London.
When were you at your happiest?
Now. I feel blessed that I have a new lease of life. I have a young family, a grown-up son whom I love, a great relationship with my wife Claire, and my career seems to be in a great shape
What is your greatest fear?
A fear for the future of our children and the invasion of technology. We are going to end up glued to our screens, rather than talking to a human face.
What is your earliest memory?
Moving to a house in Speke when I was very little. I remember being in the back of the removal van.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My mum. My dad would say, ‘Get a proper job, there is no chance of you doing anything in showbiz because working-class kids can’t do that,’ and my mum would say ‘believe’. She gave me the belief and I think that is the earliest and best influence.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I say ‘yes’ too often. Sometimes I accept things and think, ‘What did I do that for?’ ‘No’ is a good word, I still need to learn that.
What trait do you most deplore?
Lack of courtesy, particularly when you are driving and you let somebody through and they just drive on – it drives me mad. I call my wife ‘Claire in the community’ because she looks out for everybody.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I’m OK about the lines on my face. I always say that I have worked hard for these lines and they’re not wrinkles, but laughter lines. I suppose I am a bit heavier than I would like to be.
What is your most treasured possession?
All my dad’s football contracts from 1936. He played for Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers – they’re very precious to me. In those days they got £1 a week.
What is your favourite book?
The Go-Between by LP Hartley. The opening line, ‘The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there’ is about not looking back and not having regrets.
Your favourite film?
The Godfather. I still get nervous for Michael when he’s looking for that gun in the toilet, even though I have seen it 100 times.
Your favourite piece of music?
Rubber Soul: I’m a big Beatles fan. My favourite track is In My Life. Every time I go to Liverpool it plays in my head. It’s probably going to be my funeral song.
What is your favourite meal?
Sunday roast: a leg of lamb, with all the trimmings.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
John Lennon: an amazing person and a brilliant musician. When he died I was so gutted. I’d also have Jack Nicholson, David Attenborough and my dad. He died in 1982 and I didn’t get enough time with him. There is loads I’d like to ask him.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I wasn’t very good at chemistry and the teacher said to me, ‘You will amount to nothing. When you are sweeping the streets, you’ll be sorry’. But sometimes a nasty thing can spur you on, so she did me a favour.
What is your secret vice?
Chocolate. Claire finds pockets stuffed with Green & Black’s paper, or, at Christmas, purple Quality Street wrappers.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Absolutely.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A work-life balance.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
A line in Spamalot: ‘You must always face the curtain with a bow.’ It’s a great line and sums up what I have done in this business.
Les Dennis is in Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London WC2: 020-7492 1532, www.montypythonsspamalot.com
I am currently appearing as King Arthur in Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre in London.
When were you at your happiest?
Now. I feel blessed that I have a new lease of life. I have a young family, a grown-up son whom I love, a great relationship with my wife Claire, and my career seems to be in a great shape
What is your greatest fear?
A fear for the future of our children and the invasion of technology. We are going to end up glued to our screens, rather than talking to a human face.
What is your earliest memory?
Moving to a house in Speke when I was very little. I remember being in the back of the removal van.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My mum. My dad would say, ‘Get a proper job, there is no chance of you doing anything in showbiz because working-class kids can’t do that,’ and my mum would say ‘believe’. She gave me the belief and I think that is the earliest and best influence.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I say ‘yes’ too often. Sometimes I accept things and think, ‘What did I do that for?’ ‘No’ is a good word, I still need to learn that.
What trait do you most deplore?
Lack of courtesy, particularly when you are driving and you let somebody through and they just drive on – it drives me mad. I call my wife ‘Claire in the community’ because she looks out for everybody.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I’m OK about the lines on my face. I always say that I have worked hard for these lines and they’re not wrinkles, but laughter lines. I suppose I am a bit heavier than I would like to be.
What is your most treasured possession?
All my dad’s football contracts from 1936. He played for Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers – they’re very precious to me. In those days they got £1 a week.
What is your favourite book?
The Go-Between by LP Hartley. The opening line, ‘The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there’ is about not looking back and not having regrets.
Your favourite film?
The Godfather. I still get nervous for Michael when he’s looking for that gun in the toilet, even though I have seen it 100 times.
Your favourite piece of music?
Rubber Soul: I’m a big Beatles fan. My favourite track is In My Life. Every time I go to Liverpool it plays in my head. It’s probably going to be my funeral song.
What is your favourite meal?
Sunday roast: a leg of lamb, with all the trimmings.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
John Lennon: an amazing person and a brilliant musician. When he died I was so gutted. I’d also have Jack Nicholson, David Attenborough and my dad. He died in 1982 and I didn’t get enough time with him. There is loads I’d like to ask him.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I wasn’t very good at chemistry and the teacher said to me, ‘You will amount to nothing. When you are sweeping the streets, you’ll be sorry’. But sometimes a nasty thing can spur you on, so she did me a favour.
What is your secret vice?
Chocolate. Claire finds pockets stuffed with Green & Black’s paper, or, at Christmas, purple Quality Street wrappers.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Absolutely.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A work-life balance.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
A line in Spamalot: ‘You must always face the curtain with a bow.’ It’s a great line and sums up what I have done in this business.
Les Dennis is in Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London WC2: 020-7492 1532, www.montypythonsspamalot.com