MY LONDON JAMIE BALLARD
THE HARRY POTTER STAR LOVES THE CAPITAL’S GEORGIAN ARCHITECTURE AND HAS GREAT MEMORIES OF BLOOMSBURY
ACTOR Jamie Ballard stars as JK Rowling’s most famous fictional creation in hit play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre. He has previously appeared at the National Theatre and in TV shows including Ripper Street and Penny Dreadful.
What was the first London venue you performed at?
The Novello Theatre – I was in the Royal Shakespeare Company and we were doing a transfer of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and As You Like It. It was a big thing being at the Royal Shakespeare Company and then transferring to the West End. It was an amazing experience. The building is like an architectural hug – it feels like you can just whisper to the audience.
What are your favourite London venues?
I love being at the Palace Theatre doing Harry Potter – there is no better theatre to be Hogwarts, it feels like home. It feels like Hogwarts inside as well as out. I’ve also worked on all three stages at the National Theatre and they are all magical in their different ways.
What are your favourite places to eat and drink?
Andrew Edmunds in Lexington Street. It does the most amazing French food. It’s a great menu which they change daily. You walk past it and you don’t even know it’s there.
What’s your favourite area of London?
I did Japanese at the School of Oriental and African Studies and
I lived in halls so I spent a lot of time in Bloomsbury, which has very happy memories for me. I also spent a lot of time in Shoreditch and Spitalfields Market – I love the Georgian architecture and history of the area. It’s changed a lot but I still like walking around the area and looking at the Georgian houses.
Where would you take a visitor to London?
Borough Market for something to eat. I live in Peckham and there are nice places to eat and cocktail bars and I like Peckham Rye Park, so I’d be happy to show them around the local area before nipping into Borough Market and going to Hyde Park. I have lived in Peckham for 17 years – I moved in before it was all craft beer and pulled pork. I love it but there’s no way I could afford to buy here now. But that’s London – I’m not thrilled house prices have gone up so much – it’s sad my friends can’t afford to move here.
What changes would you make if you were London mayor?
I cycle everywhere so I’m very grateful for the improvements that have made cycling safer, so I would continue with that. I also drive and I would like to buy a hydrogen-powered car, so I would make more hydrogen points available.
Where do you spend too much money?
Rag And Bone – that’s a guilty pleasure and I only go there when they have a sale on. It’s a clothes shop which has branches in Sloane Square and Shoreditch. They make really lovely suits. I’d only go there if it’s a special occasion. I’m not very fashion conscious – as my friends would tell you.
‘I moved to Peckham 17 years ago, there’s no way I could afford to buy here now’
What is the most unexpected place you’ve seen a celebrity?
I was getting out of a train at Charring Cross Station and Bob Mortimer walked past me – I’m a huge fan. He’s a lovely human being but also a complete genius I wish I’d said hello. I have said hello to famous people a couple of times. I once went to a press night of a play and Antony Andrews was there. He was in The Scarlet Pimpernel, one of my favourite films as a kid. I went up to him and told him and he was so lovely about it.
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child returns to the Palace Theatre on October 14, harrypottertheplay.com