The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting to know you
Artistic director of the Byre Theatre, Liam Sinclair, is working to shape the next chapter in the story of the beloved theatre. Here, he reveals his part in the drama of life
Q Do you prefer theatre or TV?
A Both serve a really important purpose. Theatre gives you a live, immediate connection, while TV can transport us to different places.
Q What’s on your iPod?
A A mixture – classical music to relax, a bit of classical disco and I’m a big fan of Kylie.
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save? A Apart from my family, it would be photo albums.
Q What are you proudest of?
A Developing the Edinburgh Mela (Scotland’s biggest and best festival of world music and dance).
Q Theme song for your life? A The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough by Cyndi Lauper.
Q Last meal on earth? A Something south Asian – a curry.
Q Dream dinner party guests? A Elkie Brooks, Nicola Sturgeon and director Jordi Milan.
Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
A Something boring like pay off the mortgage. And open a cutesie boutique hotel.
Q What would be your superhero power/name? A I’d love to be able to fly.
Q Quiet night in or big night out? A Big night out.
Q City break or weekend in the country? A Weekend in the country.
Q Save it or spend it? A Increasingly more likely to save it – that’s an age thing creeping in there.
Q Who would you like to thank?
A It sounds a cliché but genuinely my mum and dad – they’ve always supported and championed me.
Q Couch potato or fitness fanatic? A Couch potato after a long walk.
Q Happiest memory? A Beach holidays as a child.
Q And most embarrassing? A Falling into a deep puddle in the school playground aged seven.
Q Biggest regret? A Not taking a gap year to go travelling.
Q Who do you detest? A It’s a strong word but I think I can comfortably say Margaret Thatcher.
Q What advice would you give to your younger self? A Go buy that round the world ticket.
Q Who do you admire most? A Ghandi
Q If you could turn back the clock what one thing would you change? A the gap year thing or going to university when I was a bit older.
Q What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
A My partner and I have recently gone through the adoption process – it’s amazing but hard.
Q Could you save someone’s life?
A I’ve done a first aid course and I’m a firm believer that the worst thing is to do nothing.
Q What was the worst punishment you had as a child? A Being excluded whenever there was company – it drove me mad.
Q What keeps you awake at night? A That we’re not getting to grips with the needs of the environment.
Q What three words would your best friend use to describe you? A Gobby, heart of gold – oh that’s four...
Q And your biggest critic? A Over-opinionated.
Q What’s your motto? A Do your best.