My perfect weekend: Actor Clive Francis
Stage, television and film actor Clive Francis brings his one-man version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol to Birmingham Town Hall on Sunday. Here he tells us about his ideal weekend.
It's Friday afternoon, what's on your mind?
What the hell to do Friday evening!
Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekend?
My family mostly – although how much of a pleasure it is to them, I don't know.
How do you prepare for a big night out?
By trying to think of ways of getting out of it.
What's your favourite party outfit?
A Batman costume – although I've never been given the chance to wear it.
You've just arrived at the bar. What's your first drink?
A large bloody Mary.
What's your favourite nightspot and why?
I used to go to Tramp in Jermyn Street – but that was 30 years ago.
The thought of staying up any later than 9.30pm now is an anathema to me!
What tune always gets you on the dance floor?
The National Anthem.
It's a sunny Saturday, what are you up to?
Walking around Bushy Park, Hampton Court, wishing that every Saturday could be like this.
What was your most memorable weekend, and why?
Walking the Sussex Downs with a group of friends and reminiscing.
What's the recipe for a perfect night in?
Having the house to myself!
Favourite DVD? And what would you eat while watching it?
Some Like it Hot. Steak and chips.
Sunday breakfast – cooked or continental?
Usually just a cup of tea – unless I'm away and then I have a full English, or Irish depending where I am.
Sunday lunch – home cooked or down the pub?
I always cook the Sunday lunch as I do the Christmas lunch. That's when I'm at my most relaxed and the family at their most tense.
When and how you like to relax?
Relax? It's such a long time since I've seen that word, I had to look it up. But I suppose when I'm working on a script or a piece of artwork
You've got a whole weekend off and a wad of money in your back pocket. Which country or city would you head to?
Well, then I'd be dreaming but I'd pick New York.
* On Sunday at 7.30pm, Clive Francis will perform a reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at Birmingham Town Hall in tribute to the writer who chose A Christmas Carol for his first ever public reading in the Town Hall in 1853. The first half features an introduction by Francis who will explain more about that first reading at Town Hall and Dickens' exploits in Birmingham. Tickets are £16.50 from www.thsh.co.uk
