Questions and Answers
Hywel, very, very kindly agreed to answer various questions sent in by people who frequent the site. These are a transcript of the questions and Hywel's answers.
The film of the Question and Answer session which was filmed at The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, April 21st 2005 is available at Youtube.
See http://www.hywelsimons.co.uk/Message from Hywel.htm for details.
Who is your favourite actor?
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Al Pacino.
Where is your favourite theatre?
Comedy theatre.
Have you enjoyed being in this play despite it being a hectic schedule going from one venue to another, or would you rather be in one venue alone?
Yes, enjoyed the travel, but not the play.
Would you rather do stage work than television work?
Would rather alternate; stage then television, then stage etc
Which has been your favourite play that you've done in your career?
The Rivals
If
you were asked or wanted to do more tv work would you rather play the title role
or would you be happy being part of the main cast?
Ensemble, featured second.
Is there any particular venue you’d like to be in play?
West End
If you were asked would you like to take part in any "celebrity" shows?
Yes. Who wants to be a
millionaire, but not a celebrity contestant.
Would
you like to see any tv dramas you appeared in before being in The Bill get
repeated & if so, which ones?
Roughnecks.
Have you every worked in Manchester or environs before?
No.
What wouldn't you do for a role?
Wouldn’t take kit off or ride horses.
Is there anyone you'd like to work with?
Michael Gambon
Would you like do more stuff like Little Britain?
Definitely.
What football team do you support?
No team.
Is Dracula turning out to be what you were hoping for?
No.
Who is your favourite cricketer?
Not got one.
What's your favourite Playstation game?
Grand Theft Auto
Do you think The Bill will return to the show it once was after PM goes? If so, would you consider going back?
Can things
ever go back to as there were? Yes, would consider going back.
Is there a role you would really like to play?
King Lear.
What's your favourite film?
The Deerhunter, Punch-Drunk Love.
Which rugby team do you support.
London Welsh.
Do you like to cook? If so, what?
Does all the cooking. Italian, Thai.
If you could play any character in a film, television program/series or stage play, who would it be? And why? Doesn't matter how off the wall it could be.
Dunno. Hangover Square (by Patrick Hamilton)
If you were going to give a dinner party and you invited 5 guests, from any time (past or present, live or fictional) or any place in the world, who would they be and why? What sort of questions would you ask them?
No idea.
If you had to choose a dream cast to act with (whether film, television or stage) who would they be? You can choose any people from any country, past or present, living or dead...but of course they would be alive and at their peak of performance at the time.
All my friends, lots of Welsh actors and have a ball!
Please let him know that roles featuring openly gay or bisexual characters who don't fall into some form of offensive stereotype are an extreme rarity in the United States and because of that, the character of Craig Gilmore has a very dedicated following here. A group of us actually scour the Internet and inform each other of a new website that we may come across featuring the character or Hywel himself. I've been afforded precious few clips of his performance on The Bill and I can honestly say that I enjoy watching those clips over and over more than I enjoy some of the programming in my country. Please let him know that his influence has crossed the ocean and that he will always, always have a loyal fan base in the United States. Thanks!
Cheryl
Thanks, Cheryl.
Have you heard if the play is going to London?
No.
Have you anything else in the pipeline if it doesn't?
No.
Do currently own a pet?
No
What was the name of your first pet?
Tusker (A spaniel.)
What would be your dream job if you weren't an actor?
Rich farmer.
If you were Prime Minister new law would you introduce?
No Spitting.
If you were Prime Minister what would your first action be?
Have a party.
Do you have a favourite quote?
No
What maxim do you try to live by?
Not to be too selfish.
What makes you lose your temper?
Tight people. (Those who don’t put their hands in their pockets.)
When did you last lose your temper?
Rehearsals when reading The Guardian and was told to stop.
What are you reading at the moment?
Martin Amis Autobiography
What one thing could you not leave home without? (after keys and money)
Mobile phone.
What bad habit can you not bear to see in others?
Spitting.
Do you have a special talent (play the spoons? walk on your hands? grow plants really well? that sort of thing)
No talent!! (We don’t agree with this!)
Do you have a favourite piece of music?
No.
What is currently in the tape/cd player in your car? (If nothing, then what radio station are you tuned to?)
Always on radio.
What radio station do you normally listen to?
Radio 4. Or on sports days, Radio 5 Live.
What would be your dream holiday destination?
Hawaii, for the surfing.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? (we are NOT talking plastic surgery here)
Drink less.
Curry? Or fish and chips?
Curry. Likes spicy foods. Doesn’t like ‘beige foods’.
What one achievement are you most proud of?
Staying in the acting business for this long.
Given the time and opportunity, would you be willing to do a live web chat to ‘talk’ to your worldwide fans?
Not sure. Get back to you on that one.
Do you have any ambitions to write or direct?
No.
Are you techno friendly or terrified?
Terrified.
If you had three wishes, anything at all, what would they be?
Live somewhere hot, money and health.
Would you rather play a hero or a villain?
Villain.
You've played men unlucky in love a few times, do you worry about being typecast?
No.
What are your three favourite films and favourite books?
Punch-Drunk Love,
Deerhunter, Goodfellas.
Hangover Square, books by Patrick Hamilton.