The Questionnaire : Rufus Sewell

Guardian, 14 October 1995
Complied by Rosanna Greenstreet

Rufus Sewell, 27, was brought up in Twickenham, the son on an Australian graphic artist. Since leaving London's Central School of Drama, he has played leading roles in ARCADIA at the National Theatre, MIDDLEMARCH for the BBC, and Starred in the films CARRINGTON and A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE. He plays Hotspur in a forthcoming BBC2 production of HENRY IV. He lives in Hampstead.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
Feeling thin on a boat.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Turning slowly into Russell Grant

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN YOURSELF?
Lack of organization.

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS?
Mean-mindedness.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT?
14 years old, after two cans of Carlsberg Special Brew, trying to snog my friend's mum.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL?
Penguins.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FANTASY?
Being forced, much against my will, on to a stage in a club full of people I admire and sing in Stevie Wonder's voice.

WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST DESPISE?
Margaret Thacher.

WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVERUSE?
'Cor-blimey trousers'

WHAT OBJECTS DO YOU ALWAYS CARRY WITH YOU?
Cigarettes and a coathanger (to break into my flat).

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BUILDING?
Pn-Teg - the cottage in Wales we used to stay in when I was little, which I will one day buy back, but for probably more than the original 300 pounds.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST OVERRATED VIRTUE?
Thrift.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST REGRET?
Never having a pint with my dad, Bill, who died when I was 10.

WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU THE HAPPIEST? Top of the Pompidou Centre aged 16, having sneaked out of a Chagall exhibition, drunk on cheap wine, smoking cigarettes stolen from my Mum's bag.

WHAT SINGLE THING WOULD IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE?
Ability to pout while smiling.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?
Uncomfortable sofas.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIE?
Of Parmesan poisoning.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU?
One day I will probably learn that there is no such thing as a free lunch.


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