Q&A: Antony Sher, actor

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/may/23/antony-sher-q-and-a

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Born in South Africa, Sher, 65, joined the RSC in 1982 and was knighted in 2000. In his new book, Year Of The Fat Knight, he writes about playing Falstaff, a role he will reprise at the Barbican in the autumn. He is currently appearing in the RSC production of Death Of A Salesman, at London’s Noël Coward Theatre. His partner is Gregory Doran, artistic director of the RSC; they live in London and Stratford.

When were you happiest? Our civil partnership on the first day of the new law: 21 December 2005 – a great day for human rights.

What is your earliest memory?Aged about two, I pooed my bed and was carrying a beautiful turd to show my parents. My sister Verne intercepted me and said it was disgusting. I’d met my first critic.

Which living person do you most admire, and why?My older brother, Randall – he’s had a lifetime of obstacles, yet is the kindest person I know.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?Impatience.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?Not listening.

What was your most embarrassing moment?Accidentally farting in someone’s face. It was in the wings, my eyes hadn’t adjusted to the dark, and she was sitting quietly in the corner. Cyrano De Bergerac tour, Blackpool, 1997.

What makes you unhappy?Modern technology. Everybody’s just peering down at little screens.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?I’d like to trade in the whole thing.

Who would play you in the film of your life?Meryl Streep. can play anything.

What is your most unappealing habit?Moaning about the grind of eight performances a week.

What is your favourite smell?The sea at Sea Point, the Cape Town suburb where I grew up..

What is your favourite word?Surreal.

Which book changed your life?The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. It led me to the RSC.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? An artist.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?When I auditioned at Rada, they urged me to seek a different career.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?Greg. It’s our 28th anniversary this month. We met at the RSC when he was still an actor.

Which living person do you most despise, and why?Any religious fundamentalist you care to name.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?Michelangelo and Leonardo. Though they’d probably row.

What is the worst job you’ve done?Playing Malvolio in Twelfth Night (RSC, 1987).

If you could go back in time, where would you go?Ancient Rome.

When did you last cry, and why?During most performances of Death Of A Salesman.

How do you relax?Wildlife safaris in Africa and India.

What is the closest you’ve come to death?On our honeymoon. We went to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda. The steep climb through thick jungle was too much for me.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?Love is the thing.

Tell us a secretI’m sleeping with the director.