FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ROSALIND AYRES
What are you working on?
I’m doing a production of The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde with a lovely cast – Nigel Havers, Siân Phillips, Niall Buggy, Christine Kavanagh, Cherie Lunghi and Martin Jarvis.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m working, and especially when I’m working with my husband.
What is your greatest fear?
Heights. I get dizzy on a thick carpet. Oh, it’s horrible, it really is.
What is your earliest memory?
I must have been two years and 10 months. My father, who was a keen amateur photographer, wanted to take a shot of me holding my newborn brother. He was 13 pounds when he was born and I remember sitting there with this heavy baby on my legs while my father set up the photograph.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I find it really difficult to delegate tasks.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Martin Jarvis, my husband, because I admire his approach to his work and he’s an ace fellow.
What is your most treasured possession?
My wedding ring.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Egomania. I think it’s really difficult to deal with.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Everything that’s going south.
What is your favourite book?
Pride And Prejudice and all the Just William books.
And your favourite film?
Sunset Boulevard and Lawrence Of Arabia.
What is your favourite piece of music?
I love The Rolling Stones and Tina Turner but I also like Lucy Parham playing Schumann piano pieces.
What is your favourite meal?
It’s probably at Colbert [on Sloane Square, in London]. They do a wonderful chopped chicken salad, which is fab.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Apart from the cast and production team of The Importance, Judi Dench, Jo Lumley and Stephen Barlow, Alfred Molina and Jill Gascoine – hilarious. Michael Frayn and Claire Tomalin, Jared Harris and his wife Allegra, Giles and Michele Brandreth, Ian and Victoria Hislop, Andy and Libby Hamilton and Guy and Bernadette Jenkin. And all our friends.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
It was my first job as an acting assistant stage manager and a visiting director came to do a show. He said I had no voice and I should probably take a typing course. I could have gone away crying but I thought, ‘No, I’m going to show this guy’ – and hopefully I have.
Do you believe in aliens?
I don’t, but I do sit there while Martin watches those terrible documentaries about how they really do exist.
What is your secret vice?
I love stationery shops.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I do, and preferably on pretty stationery.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Thank you’.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
To be able to teleport between London and Los Angeles.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I got my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and my sport was ballroom dancing.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘What kept you?’
The Importance Of Being Earnest is at The Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London SW1, until 20 September: 0844-871 7622, www.atgtickets.com
I’m doing a production of The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde with a lovely cast – Nigel Havers, Siân Phillips, Niall Buggy, Christine Kavanagh, Cherie Lunghi and Martin Jarvis.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m working, and especially when I’m working with my husband.
What is your greatest fear?
Heights. I get dizzy on a thick carpet. Oh, it’s horrible, it really is.
What is your earliest memory?
I must have been two years and 10 months. My father, who was a keen amateur photographer, wanted to take a shot of me holding my newborn brother. He was 13 pounds when he was born and I remember sitting there with this heavy baby on my legs while my father set up the photograph.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I find it really difficult to delegate tasks.
Who has been your greatest influence?
Martin Jarvis, my husband, because I admire his approach to his work and he’s an ace fellow.
What is your most treasured possession?
My wedding ring.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Egomania. I think it’s really difficult to deal with.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Everything that’s going south.
What is your favourite book?
Pride And Prejudice and all the Just William books.
And your favourite film?
Sunset Boulevard and Lawrence Of Arabia.
What is your favourite piece of music?
I love The Rolling Stones and Tina Turner but I also like Lucy Parham playing Schumann piano pieces.
What is your favourite meal?
It’s probably at Colbert [on Sloane Square, in London]. They do a wonderful chopped chicken salad, which is fab.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Apart from the cast and production team of The Importance, Judi Dench, Jo Lumley and Stephen Barlow, Alfred Molina and Jill Gascoine – hilarious. Michael Frayn and Claire Tomalin, Jared Harris and his wife Allegra, Giles and Michele Brandreth, Ian and Victoria Hislop, Andy and Libby Hamilton and Guy and Bernadette Jenkin. And all our friends.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
It was my first job as an acting assistant stage manager and a visiting director came to do a show. He said I had no voice and I should probably take a typing course. I could have gone away crying but I thought, ‘No, I’m going to show this guy’ – and hopefully I have.
Do you believe in aliens?
I don’t, but I do sit there while Martin watches those terrible documentaries about how they really do exist.
What is your secret vice?
I love stationery shops.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I do, and preferably on pretty stationery.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Thank you’.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
To be able to teleport between London and Los Angeles.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I got my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and my sport was ballroom dancing.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘What kept you?’
The Importance Of Being Earnest is at The Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London SW1, until 20 September: 0844-871 7622, www.atgtickets.com