Actor Keith Allen talks about screaming popes, his daughter Lily – and the time he lived on a theatre stage
How did you get into acting?
I'd done performance art sporadically from about 1976 – very personal street things on my own. Acting seemed like a natural step from that. But I didn't really want to "be" anything: presenter, comic, actor. I just wanted to perform.
What was your big breakthrough?
I don't think I've ever broken through.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A one-man show I did years ago called Whatever Happened to the AA Man's Salute. It was improvised, and ran for three or four weekends at the then Albany Empire in London. I was a squatter at the time, so I moved into the theatre and lived on the stage. I'd do the show right next to my bed.
Do you suffer for your art?
Yes – as does anyone who wants to be heard. The biggest problem is self-doubt. With that, you're always suffering.
Your children Lily and Alfie are also in entertainment: did you try to dissuade them from following in your footsteps?
No. Although I don't think they've followed in my footsteps.
Stage or screen?
I need money – and you get more from the screen. But for being in the moment, for just feeling alive, it would be stage.
What's the biggest myth about acting?
That actors are all luvvies and up their own ass. They're not. Well, all right – I've met a few who are.
Which artist do you most admire?
Percy Bysshe Shelley. I just discovered him, after reading Heathcote Williams's book, Shelley at Oxford. But what's an artist? There are lots of other people I admire – like Craig Murray, the former ambassador to Uzbekistan, who blew the whistle on torture. He has the most enlightening blog ever.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
My daughter, Lily.
Is there an art form you don't relate to?
Jazz. It always reminds me of the musical version of Will Self – why use four words when you can use a thousand?
What work of art would you most like to own?
One of Francis Bacon's screaming pope paintings. They just hit me. I can really see what he's on about.
What's the worst thing anyone ever said about you?
That I'm a coward. That was [journalist] Caitlin Moran, writing about a documentary I did about Keith Floyd. She inferred that I just dabble in things – that I daren't maintain a course for fear of being criticised. I took it with a large dose of salt.
How would you like to be remembered?
Jack of all trades, master of three.
In short
Born: Gorseinon, Wales, 1953
Career: Standup, TV presenting, then acting, with TV and film roles in Twin Town, Martin Chuzzlewit and 24 Hour Party People. Stage work includes Pinter's Celebration and The Room at the Almeida; latest is Smack Family Robinson at the Rose, Kingston, until 20 April (rosetheatre kingston.org).
High point: "The extremely quick realisation that I'm the best actor in the world."
Low point: "The dawning realisation that I'm not as good an actor as I thought I was."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2013/mar/26/keith-allen-portrait-artist
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