FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ISLA BLAIR
What are you working on at the moment?
A wonderful American play by Nicky Silver called The Lyons at the Menier Chocolate Factory. It is a dark comedy about a seriously dysfunctional family. It’s very funny but poignant too.
When were you at your happiest?
When I’m with my granddaughters; aged seven and four, they are so funny and wise.
What is your greatest fear?
Being trapped under ice. There was a Brother Cadfael story called The Virgin In The Ice and it has always haunted me.
What is your earliest memory?
I was three years old in India and every day I’d put my sun hat and a banana on top of my sister Fiona’s satchel, hoping I could go with her to school, desolate that I was too young to join her.
Who has been your greatest influence?
In my early life, my sister. She looked after me when our parents were abroad. My headmistress, Dorothy Boykett, was a great influence. She taught me that kindness and gentleness are strengths.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I’m bossy. When my husband, Julian, drives round Hyde Park I say to him, ‘Which way are you thinking of going, may I suggest..?’
What trait do you most deplore?
Unkindness and bullying.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My hands. My grandmother called them peasant’s hands.
What is your most treasured possession?
A gold signet ring with the Glover crest on it. Julian said no women in the Glover family ever wore one but on our 10th wedding anniversary we had a marriage blessing and Julian put a signet ring with the Glover crest on my finger.
What is your fantasy address?
My own house in all seasons. It has a lovely garden – it was built in an old orchard so pears and apples abound – with lots of nesting birds.
What is your favourite book?
Mrs Palfrey At The Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor. A delicate observation about the loneliness, dignity and stoicism of old age.
Your favourite film?
The Goodbye Girl. It’s a wry, moving, but accurate, take on my profession.
Your favourite record?
Dvorák’s Cypresses. It is hard to say which one – they’re all beautiful.
What is your favourite meal?
Roast chicken, potatoes, wilted spinach and my son’s gravy.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Arthur Miller. His plays are touching and profound. I had breakfast with him once and was so star-struck I was rendered dumb – so dinner would be nice, I could engage in conversation.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
When I was in House Of Cards I did several nude love scenes – I was 50 at the time. Someone wrote that I’d done it ‘to revive a flagging career’. That hurt as it had taken a lot of courage.
What is your secret vice?
I’m a fan of The Archers.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Always. I like cards, paper, ink – the whole thing.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
I am not aware of one, but I love saying ‘effulgent’.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I’m grateful for my lot. I’ve played some terrific roles and worked with some brilliant people. But it’s all without the manacles of fame that can sometimes cripple.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
Her life was sunshine and showers, like an Indian Tiger’s Wedding.
Isla Blair stars in The Lyons at the Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark Street, London SE1, until 16 November: 0207378 1713, www.menierchocolatefactory.com
A wonderful American play by Nicky Silver called The Lyons at the Menier Chocolate Factory. It is a dark comedy about a seriously dysfunctional family. It’s very funny but poignant too.
When were you at your happiest?
When I’m with my granddaughters; aged seven and four, they are so funny and wise.
What is your greatest fear?
Being trapped under ice. There was a Brother Cadfael story called The Virgin In The Ice and it has always haunted me.
What is your earliest memory?
I was three years old in India and every day I’d put my sun hat and a banana on top of my sister Fiona’s satchel, hoping I could go with her to school, desolate that I was too young to join her.
Who has been your greatest influence?
In my early life, my sister. She looked after me when our parents were abroad. My headmistress, Dorothy Boykett, was a great influence. She taught me that kindness and gentleness are strengths.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I’m bossy. When my husband, Julian, drives round Hyde Park I say to him, ‘Which way are you thinking of going, may I suggest..?’
What trait do you most deplore?
Unkindness and bullying.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My hands. My grandmother called them peasant’s hands.
What is your most treasured possession?
A gold signet ring with the Glover crest on it. Julian said no women in the Glover family ever wore one but on our 10th wedding anniversary we had a marriage blessing and Julian put a signet ring with the Glover crest on my finger.
What is your fantasy address?
My own house in all seasons. It has a lovely garden – it was built in an old orchard so pears and apples abound – with lots of nesting birds.
What is your favourite book?
Mrs Palfrey At The Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor. A delicate observation about the loneliness, dignity and stoicism of old age.
Your favourite film?
The Goodbye Girl. It’s a wry, moving, but accurate, take on my profession.
Your favourite record?
Dvorák’s Cypresses. It is hard to say which one – they’re all beautiful.
What is your favourite meal?
Roast chicken, potatoes, wilted spinach and my son’s gravy.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Arthur Miller. His plays are touching and profound. I had breakfast with him once and was so star-struck I was rendered dumb – so dinner would be nice, I could engage in conversation.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
When I was in House Of Cards I did several nude love scenes – I was 50 at the time. Someone wrote that I’d done it ‘to revive a flagging career’. That hurt as it had taken a lot of courage.
What is your secret vice?
I’m a fan of The Archers.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Always. I like cards, paper, ink – the whole thing.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
I am not aware of one, but I love saying ‘effulgent’.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I’m grateful for my lot. I’ve played some terrific roles and worked with some brilliant people. But it’s all without the manacles of fame that can sometimes cripple.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
Her life was sunshine and showers, like an Indian Tiger’s Wedding.
Isla Blair stars in The Lyons at the Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark Street, London SE1, until 16 November: 0207378 1713, www.menierchocolatefactory.com