FIRST IMPRESSIONS: SIÂN PHILLIPS
What are you working on at the moment?
My dream job – an Alan Bennett play, People, at the National Theatre. I’m on tour with the National until November, which is lovely.
When are you at your happiest?
Very early, at 5am, when I’m gardening and nobody is about.
What is your greatest fear?
I’m not very interested in technology, but I do try. My greatest fear is not being able to keep up, it changes all the time.
What is your earliest memory?
I was four and I saw a fairy. God knows what I saw, but I think, and a part of me still thinks, I saw a fairy. It was in the sunshine on the landing; I even remember the wallpaper: it was 1930s style, and yellow. The fairy was about three inches tall. It might have been a dragonfly, otherwise it was a fairy.
What do you dislike about yourself?
Being a bit of a technophobe. It is an effort for me.
Who has been your greatest influence?
I’ve had many. One of the great good fortunes of my life is meeting great people at the right time. But basically, I suppose, my mother. And Peter O’Toole, who I was married to for a very long time.
What is your most treasured possession?
A big wooden heron by the sculptor Guy Taplin, which I bought not knowing he was going to be a wonderful artist. I saw it and fell in love with it. I had just lost all of my money and I shouldn’t have been buying anything. Not only do I not regret it but every time I move house I have it on my lap and I don’t let anybody else move it.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Small-mindedness.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
You used to be raised not to think about your appearance. So it’s never been something I’ve been interested in. I don’t like or dislike anything; I don’t think it counts for much.
What is your all-time favourite book?
That’s the one question I absolutely can’t answer! Ever since I was able to read I’ve read four books at the same time. I read on buses, I have books in my pocket, at my bedside, work, the sitting room, the bathroom. I read all the time. But I do have shelves of women novelists like Hilary Mantel. I suppose the most-thumbed is something like The Oxford Book Of English Verse.
Your favourite film?
I love Japanese movies; one of my favourites is Seven Samurai – the original.
Your favourite piece of music?
Beethoven’s sonatas always cheer me up because my father used to play them all the time.
Your favourite meal?
Breakfast. Scrambled egg would be divine.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Reverend Sydney Smith, an 18th-century cleric. He was one of the funniest men who has ever breathed. He was so funny that apparently someone wet themselves and had to be escorted from the dining room they were laughing so much.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
No one has said anything horrible to me for a very long time. A few years ago somebody did and I’ve had to wipe it out, I was so shocked.
Do you believe in aliens?
I wish I did, but I can’t.
What is your secret vice?
Lying down with some lemon dessert and watching either property porn – Homes Under The Hammer, Kirstie and Phil – or Come Dine With Me. I love it.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes! Before the end of the week, no matter what. Even if it’s the first night and you have 100 to write, it’s got to be before the end of the week.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Oh yeah, absolutely’. I hate it.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Embracing technology instead of having to be dragged into it all the time.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘So improved’.
Siân Phillips is on tour with Alan Bennett’s play, People: 020-7452 3000, www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
My dream job – an Alan Bennett play, People, at the National Theatre. I’m on tour with the National until November, which is lovely.
When are you at your happiest?
Very early, at 5am, when I’m gardening and nobody is about.
What is your greatest fear?
I’m not very interested in technology, but I do try. My greatest fear is not being able to keep up, it changes all the time.
What is your earliest memory?
I was four and I saw a fairy. God knows what I saw, but I think, and a part of me still thinks, I saw a fairy. It was in the sunshine on the landing; I even remember the wallpaper: it was 1930s style, and yellow. The fairy was about three inches tall. It might have been a dragonfly, otherwise it was a fairy.
What do you dislike about yourself?
Being a bit of a technophobe. It is an effort for me.
Who has been your greatest influence?
I’ve had many. One of the great good fortunes of my life is meeting great people at the right time. But basically, I suppose, my mother. And Peter O’Toole, who I was married to for a very long time.
What is your most treasured possession?
A big wooden heron by the sculptor Guy Taplin, which I bought not knowing he was going to be a wonderful artist. I saw it and fell in love with it. I had just lost all of my money and I shouldn’t have been buying anything. Not only do I not regret it but every time I move house I have it on my lap and I don’t let anybody else move it.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Small-mindedness.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
You used to be raised not to think about your appearance. So it’s never been something I’ve been interested in. I don’t like or dislike anything; I don’t think it counts for much.
What is your all-time favourite book?
That’s the one question I absolutely can’t answer! Ever since I was able to read I’ve read four books at the same time. I read on buses, I have books in my pocket, at my bedside, work, the sitting room, the bathroom. I read all the time. But I do have shelves of women novelists like Hilary Mantel. I suppose the most-thumbed is something like The Oxford Book Of English Verse.
Your favourite film?
I love Japanese movies; one of my favourites is Seven Samurai – the original.
Your favourite piece of music?
Beethoven’s sonatas always cheer me up because my father used to play them all the time.
Your favourite meal?
Breakfast. Scrambled egg would be divine.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Reverend Sydney Smith, an 18th-century cleric. He was one of the funniest men who has ever breathed. He was so funny that apparently someone wet themselves and had to be escorted from the dining room they were laughing so much.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
No one has said anything horrible to me for a very long time. A few years ago somebody did and I’ve had to wipe it out, I was so shocked.
Do you believe in aliens?
I wish I did, but I can’t.
What is your secret vice?
Lying down with some lemon dessert and watching either property porn – Homes Under The Hammer, Kirstie and Phil – or Come Dine With Me. I love it.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes! Before the end of the week, no matter what. Even if it’s the first night and you have 100 to write, it’s got to be before the end of the week.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Oh yeah, absolutely’. I hate it.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Embracing technology instead of having to be dragged into it all the time.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘So improved’.
Siân Phillips is on tour with Alan Bennett’s play, People: 020-7452 3000, www.nationaltheatre.org.uk