My perfect weekend: Iain Mackay

It's Friday afternoon, what's on your mind?

That all depends on whether I'm performing in the evening or not. If I am I'll probably have an early dinner and get myself ready for the show at 7.30. If I'm not performing I'll be looking forward to getting home to see my wife Silvia and my three-year-old son Oscar.

Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekends?

Silvia and Oscar of course. I spend so much time rehearsing all day in the theatre, especially when we are on tour, so when it comes to the weekend the two of them are my priority.

How do you prepare for a big night out?

Big night out…Ha ha!! I'm afraid that they are a thing of the past for me.

What's your favourite party outfit?

I'm a real trainers, jeans and T-shirt kind of guy. I hate wearing a suit and tie, it's too uncomfortable.

You've just arrived at the bar, what's your first drink?

A beer. I love beer, especially on a warm summer's evening. If not then rum and coke is always a good option.

What is your favourite night spot and why?

There is a fantastic pub just two minutes from our house, The Plough in Harborne. There is always a great atmosphere in there; it's a really cool pub. The food is great and the staff are fantastic.

It's a sunny Saturday, what are you up to?

If I'm not in the theatre then it will definitely be a barbeque with friends and of course some cold beers!

What's your most memorable weekend ever and why?

There are far too many to mention. Just last weekend was the wedding of one of my best friends in Scotland which was incredible. I don't get the chance to go back to Scotland very often so it was fantastic to catch up with old friends. It was literally two days of eating, drinking, laughing and dancing. Magic.

What's your recipe for the perfect night in?

Sometimes there is nothing better, especially after I've been away on tour dancing, to have a night in doing nothing. A nice home-cooked meal, a cold beer and a good movie sounds absolutely perfect.

Favourite DVD and what would you eat while watching it?

It has to be Goodfellas. It's one of the best mafia movies ever made. And a nice fat steak.

Sunday breakfast: cooked or continental?

I do like a nice cooked breakfast as long as it's not greasy. I hate greasy food.

Sunday lunch: home cooked or down the pub?

On a Sunday I get my trainers on and head straight down to The Plough. They do a fantastic Sunday roast and they are incredibly child friendly with lots of games so Oscar has loads of entertainment.

Where and how do you like to relax?

During our tough season at work I don't think I ever truly relax. I'm most relaxed on holiday. We spend the summer in Spain (my wife is Spanish). I love being on the beach at around 7pm when the sun is starting to go down and the sea is calm. That's heaven, and as relaxing as it gets.

You have the whole weekend off and a wad of cash. Which country or city would you head to?

That all depends on how much cash we are talking about! If it's a lottery winning sized wad then it's off to a massive villa in southern Spain with a huge swimming pool, table tennis, pool table, karaoke room and giant barbeque area. And I'd fly all my friends from Scotland and all my friends from Birmingham Royal Ballet out to enjoy it with me. I'll keep buying the lottery tickets.

Scottish-born dancer Iain trained as a Junior Associate of Scottish Ballet, before joining the Dance School of Scotland. He spent two years at the Royal Ballet Upper School, and joined Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1999. He was promoted to Soloist in 2001 and Principal in 2003. Able to take on everything from classical princes to intense dramatic roles, Iain became one of Birmingham Royal Ballet's most valued and versatile artists, leading to the creation of a number of major roles in the recent repertory.