1. When did you think about acting as a career and what were your first steps into it?
At my school in Lurgan I joined an operatic society and Mary O’Malley’s little theatre in Derryvolgie Avenue in Belfast and the rest, as they say, is history.
2. Best gig or gigs you’ve been to?
I don’t go to gigs. I only go to orchestral concerts or operas. Madame Butterfly is my favourite.
3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band of choice?
The Beatles as the warm-up act for Elvis Presley
4. The record you’d take to a desert island?
Anything by Maria Callas, who was a superb soprano with a great dramatic presence.
5. And the book?
The complete works of Shakespeare (especially his sonnets). Shakespeare is a terrific vehicle for actors.
6. Top three films?
Gone With The Wind, Groundhog Day, The Godfather.
7. Worst film you’ve seen?
Anything with zombies.
8. Favourite authors?
Jane Austen, who wrote with such romantic angst; Michael McLaverty for his beautiful Irish stories; and Maeve Binchy, a writer of exquisite stories written without embellishment.
9. Sports you most enjoy and top teams?
I enjoy watching tennis and football. Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona; yes, I’m a woman of contradiction, but aren’t we all?!
10. Ideal holiday destination?
Rome and all of Italy for its unique ambience, art and fabulous people.
11. Pet hate?
Men in shorts wearing socks with sandals.
12. What’s your favourite:
Dinner? Irish lamb stew
Dessert? Crème caramel
Drink? Champagne
13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?
Jim, my partner for the last 25 years. He caught my attention by promising to paint my portrait. The portrait is still not painted!
14. Is there a God?
Of course there is and she is very nice too.
:: Stella McCusker appears in The Holy Holy Bus, which runs at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast from Tuesday June 30 until Friday July 10 (LyricTheatre.co.uk / 028 9038 1081).
