My Arts: Tim Firth

Warrington-born Tim Firth is the writer responsible for the massive box-office hit, Calendar Girls, starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. He has also created many popular TV programmes, including, All Quiet on the Preston Front and his work for children includes the BAFTA winning cult hit, The Rottentrolls.

At university, Tim became friends with Sam Mendes, the Oscar winning film director, who directed all of his plays. In fact, Tim has often worked with some of British theatre’s biggest names, including, Willy Russell and Alan Ayckbourn.

However, music was Tim’s first love; his musical, Our House, containing the songs of Madness, won an Olivier award in 2003 and he has recently released his first album, Harmless Flirting.

What are your top three albums of all time?
Good Old Boys by Randy Newman. After that I can't choose - my head explodes.

What were the first and the last records that you bought?
Wuthering Heights, Kate Bush and Reach For The Stars -- S Club 7 (so I could learn the chords for the junior school choir I run)

What was the first live gig that you went to?
Victor Borge, Liverpool Phil. Aged six.

And the last?
Ryan Adams And The Cardinals, Manchester Academy.

Did you pay to get in? And if not, why not?
I absolutely did. Through the nose.

What tune is running around your head at the moment?
La Cienega Just Smiled, by Ryan Adams, since you asked that last question.

What newspapers/magazines do you read?
Oh God, the Guardian.

What word do you most like the sound of?
Rishy

Which public figure do you most admire?
Tony Benn

Which website do you visit most often?
The listings for the local cinema.

Who or what do you listen to on the radio?
Five Live, and worryingly Radio Three.

What was the best television programme ever made?
Larry Sanders.

Top film ever?
Head's exploded again.

What book in childhood made the biggest impression on you?
The Goalkeeper's Revenge by Bill Naughton.

What's your current book at bedtime?
Mapping England. A history of cartography. Don't judge me because of this.

Do you go to the theatre and what did you last see?
Obviously Avenue Q - The Musical.

Who or what makes you laugh?
Leonard Rossiter, Paul Eddington, head's exploding, animation, half-heartedness, my kids...

What single work of art do you find the most moving?
Nimrod.

What is your favourite piece of architecture?
Anything by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Know any good jokes?
Jeffrey Archer

*Sign of the Times, written by Tim Firth and starring Stephen Tomkinson, runs from Monday 6 April to Saturday 11 April @ Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square, Liverpool, L1 1EL Tel: 0151 709 4776. http://www.everymanplayhouse.com