claytoncast

I haven't been hospitalised very much in my career - professionally speaking.  I am one of the few members of British equity who've yet to step into the environs of the city of Holby. On a visit to Letherbridge  to see the "Doctors" at lunchtime, I had a father with pigeon fancier's lung whose antics resulted in me sawing through my hand, and on a second visit I had acute angina (no really!). A third visit as an international handbag designer of dubious sexuality lasted for two weeks, and mercifully involved no kind of treatment at all. Unless of course you call my first screen kiss at the age of 53, a course of treatment! Real-life has, for once, mirrored work. I have not been hospitalised since I had chronic pneumonia at the age of 18 months, something for which I'm very grateful. I have had visits to A&E, and two minor procedures on my eyes, but nothing really serious. This year  I have found an increasing amount of pain in my right shoulder. S...

For most of us who act, the job is our life. It's what we live for and we count ourselves lucky that we live to work. Many have been the days earlier in my career when there's been nothing to keep me occupied, least of all acting, and I am always grateful when there is something in the diary. The prospect of retirement, while looking attractive on a damp day, is not one that I would really relish. My partner is well aware of this and has no plans to let me retire gracefully. He fully intends to keep sending me out to earn my keep, probably until I drop, or certainly until I'm old enough to play Firs in The Cherry Orchard, A summer of writing, and then an enormously busy September and October directing two major conferences, and doing quite a few individual training sessions, have also had to fit in a major house move. After nine years in sunny Sydenham, we've moved to Shortlands, between Beckenham and Bromley. The flat is absolutely delightful, and from the moment ...