LEWIS MATTHEWS Artistic Director
Who is your favourite author and why?
Genuinely my favourite author has to be Roald Dahl. I’ve loved his stuff ever since I was a kid and I still read his books today. In my opinion “The Twits” is one of the greatest books ever written. I love that his stories were full of weird and wonderful characters and were incredibly creepy at times but still had a tremendous amount of heart to them.
What would be your three Desert Island Discs?
Rumours- Fleetwood Mac.
We shall overcome: The Seeger Sessions – Bruce Springsteen.
American Idiot – Green Day.
Three perfect albums that I could listen to repeatedly and not get sick of.
Who is your favourite film star and why?
Michael Sheen. He is absolutely tremendous in everything he’s in. He’s a wonderful chameleon of an actor that just seems to transform himself and inhabit a role in a way that I have never really seen before. His performance as Brian Clough in The Damned United was absolutely stunning.
What are your top three films?
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor being amazing for two hours. I first watched it as research for my A Level Theatre Studies class and thought it was absolutely fantastic and I’ve loved the movie ever since. City Slickers. This one is less about the movie and more about the circumstances behind it. It’s my dad’s favourite film of all time and although I have to confess it technically isn’t mine’ I do get a real kick out of seeing how much my dad loves it whenever we get a chance to put it on. Hook. This film is an absolute masterpiece. I’ve always loved the story of Peter Pan and as a continuation of the story’ this film is just brilliant. Robin Williams is incredible as always’ but for me the film belongs to Dustin Hoffman in his remarkable turn as Captain Hook. Also Bob Hoskins plays Smee and Maggie Smith is an older Wendy’ what an amazing cast!
Which poem left a lasting impression on you?
Do not stand at my grave and weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye. I read this poem at my grandads funeral and it’s stayed with me ever since. He’d had a long struggle with Dementia and Parkinson’s’ but before that he was one of the most energetic pensioners I’d ever met and we used to go to Middlesbrough games together every Saturday’ and his decline had quite an impact on me. So getting to read this at his funeral was a big moment for me.
What box sets have you enjoyed?
Over lockdown I rewatched all of Game of Thrones and then I rewatched Modern Family. It’s always good to balance out explicit violence and gore with something a bit more wholesome.
Who is your favourite artist or performer?
Tim Minchin. The man is nothing short of a genius’ and a humble one at that. I’ve been a fan of his for years and I’d love to meet him one day (Tim’ if you’re free over Christmas at any point’ come and see NTC’s panto at The Dovecote Centre in Amble!)
What is your favourite venue?
Bristol Old Vic. I was fortunate enough to get to play there a few years back and it was a dream come true. The thought of all the other performers who’s tread the boards there before me was quite the experience. That saying’ The Dovecote Centre is a great venue for theatre’ cinema and other community activities. We are very lucky as a theatre company to have it.
Which musical instrument do you particularly enjoy?
I’m pretty good on the kazoo…Honestly I admire anyone who can play any instrument well but there’s something about the violin that I find incredibly soothing.
From the world of Arts and Culture who would be your ideal dinner party guests?
Stephen Fry’ Ian Mckellen’ Lady Gaga’ Bette Midler’ Tim Minchin’ and Robert Downey Jr!