 |
|
  |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
| Q&AInterview by Rosanna Greenstreet Saturday June 4, 2005 The Guardian Lemn
Sissay was born in 1967, near Wigan, of Ethiopian parents. Fostered as
a baby, he was sent to a children's home at 11 and to a remand centre
at 16. His first collection of poetry, Tender Fingers In A Clenched
Fist, was published when he was 20, and his plays have been produced by
Contact Theatre and Radio 4. On June 13, he takes part in Cries From
The Heart, an evening of readings and music organised by Human Rights
Watch at Shakespeare's Globe in London. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Dancing on the roof of my own brownstone in Manhattan. What is your greatest fear? Besides jellyfish, jellyfish that walk. With which historical figure do you most identify? Parentless Alemayehu, son of Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros, who is buried at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Which living person do you most admire? My aunt Alemash. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Thinking about what people might be thinking about me. Pathetic! What is the trait you most deplore in others? Licking fingers after eating. Stop it or die. What has been your most embarrassing moment? Tripping on stage in front of 2,000 people at The Royal Festival Hall in the glaring light of a follow spot. What is your greatest extravagance? Paying the government tax after its abusive parentage of my first 18 years. What objects do you always carry with you? Anything that proves my identity. What do you most dislike about your appearance? The way it stares in shock at me from the mirror. What is your favourite smell? Doro wat (an Ethiopian dish). Do you believe in capital punishment? I think people in the capital have been punished enough. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? 'Did I just say that out loud?' What is your greatest regret? A series called Jazz 606 on BBC2. What would your motto be? 'Thanks. Now fuck off.' How would you like to die? 'And I'd like to thank ... ughh.' What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Life is not worth living if there is no one you would die for. Advertiser linksAdventure Tours Latin AmericaGroup adventures in Latin America, overland expeditions,... tucantravel.comActivity and Nature Holidays in FranceActivity and nature holidays in the French countryside. Win... fr.sitestat.comActivity HolidayCrystal Lakes and mountains are one of the UK's leading... crystallakes.co.ukPrintable version | Send it to a friend | Save story
| |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
