• 1 Does art make a difference?
    • If people get to experience it. We take our shows – including our current one, which is entirely improvised – everywhere from main theatre stages to tiny village halls and music festivals, indoors and outdoors. In many societies, art is a luxury. And where that is the case, people fight very hard to keep it.
  • 2 Should politics and art mix?
  • Of course. But you need to be aware of who makes up your audience. Middle-class, leftish theatre that tells middle-class, leftish audiences what they already think is a bit pointless. Our company communicates its political values in the choices we make, and we leave space for the audience to think for themselves.
  • 3 Is your work for the many or for the few?
  • Many, please. We’re on a box-office split.
  • 4 If you were world leader, what would be your first law?
  • Well, the basic ones we’re meant to have – democracy, freedom of speech. They’re there for a perfectly good reason..
  • 5 Who would be your top advisers?
  • Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, Fats Waller, the Super Furry Animals, Harvey Pekar and Johnny Depp.
  • 6What, if anything, would you censor?
  • Nothing. I’m an improviser.
  • 7 If you had to banish one public figure, who would it be?
  • I think Dr Gillian McKeith is actually evil, so I’d banish her. What has society come to, that people actually listen to her tirades? I saw her terrifying, vicious TV show once, by accident, and wanted to hang myself. I lost hope.
  • 8 What are the rules that you live by?
  • Some years ago, when we were swimming in the sea in Broadstairs, my husband declared we’d make a vow of fun. I’ve always thought that’s a pretty good one.
  • 9 Do you love your country?
  • Yes.. . but it’s not the same without Humphrey Lyttelton
  • 10 Are we all doomed?
    • Absolutely not. People love moaning. As long as we look backwards as we move forwards – which, as it happens, is one of the rules of improvisation – then we’ll be OK.