Entertainment

Arts Q&A: Co Down actor Chris Grant on Jan Carson, Busted and Stevie Wonder

Jenny Lee puts performers and artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week, Co Down actor Chris Grant

Chris Grant stars in The Untold Truth of Captain Hook at the Lyric from Friday
Chris Grant stars in The Untold Truth of Captain Hook at the Lyric from Friday
Arts Q&A: Co Down actor Chris Grant on Jan Carson, Busted and Stevie Wonder

Chris Grant is from Annaclone in Co Down

1

When did you think about a career in theatre and what were your first steps into it?

When I was 15 . I joined a local theatre group in Banbridge called Rainbow Factory and had a wonderful facilitator called Kerry Rooney, who has been a huge support from the day I met him right up to this very day. The moment I chose acting as a career, was the summer I left university and my best friend Gary and I sat in our student house and said to each other “if you do it, I’ll do it".

2

Best gigs you’ve been to?

Scouting for Girls in St George’s Market in 2007; Sick Love, a class band from Dublin; and Lucy Spraggan, in the Empire last year.

3

Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?

Busted. I was heartbroken when they broke up. Their music is brilliant to dance to, and creates such a party.

4

The record you’d take to a desert island?

Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder. It’s so uplifting.

5

And the book?

The Fire Starters by Jan Carson. She is a genius.

6

Top three films?

Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Surfs Up and Coach Carter – if there was ever a more motivational film, I’ve never seen it.

7

Worst film you’ve seen?

Detective Pikachu. I love Pokemon, but the film was terrible.

8

Favourite authors?

Michael Syed, Jan Carson and Owen McCafferty.

9

Sport you most enjoy and top team?

GAA is a big one for me, being a Co Down boy from Annaclone. I played for Annaclone (we won’t say how well, though) from under-12 through to minor (under-18). It was never about winning but always about being the best you could be on the day you were playing – a lesson that I have taken with me through my career.

10

Ideal holiday destination?

I'm just back from Gran Canaria which was really chilled and we found this amazing restaurant called Coco’s. I’d honestly fly back just to eat there.

11

Pet hate?

People not saying thank you. I worked as a barman for a while and it’s so sad to see the number of people who don’t say thank you.

12

What’s your favourite:

Dinner? When my partner Emma makes Sag Aloo.

Dessert? Sticky toffee pudding.

Drink? I am partial to a whiskey sours.

13

Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?

Gary Crossan. We met at university and after leaving, we lived together for seven years until Gary met the love of his life and apparently it was more important he live with her than me. But it’s OK, I’m over it.

14

Is there a God?

I have quite a high opinion of Gary, he’s a brilliant actor... but I don’t know if I’d call him a god.

Chris Grant stars in Replay Theatre Company's The Untold Truth of Captain Hook, which runs at Belfast's Lyric Theatre from March 6-8 as part of the Belfast Children's Festival. For full programme and tickets visit Youngatart.co.uk/festival