A. Jess Winfield. Changed from Jess Brogeson because no one seemed capable of pronouncing "Borgeson". Plus I never cared
much for the elder Mr. Borgeson. Bet you never knew this was such a complex question.
Q. Age?
A. 40. How the hell did THAT happen?
Q. Occupation?
A. Writer, director, producer, playwright, author, former actor.
Q. Describe you personality in 5 words.
A. Driven, lazy, dependable, flaky, enigmatic.
Q. What is your favourite role to play in the shows you have done so far?
A. No contest: Hamlet the Great Dane. Woof.
Q. And out of the four shows which is your favourite and why?
A. Shakespeare, because it's the only one created by the original RSC, and the only one that's truly unique. The rest are just sequels.
Q. What is such a nice guy as yourseld doing in with a crowd such as the RSC?
A. Good question. That's why I quit the RSC...because I was too nice a guy!
Q. Have you always wanted to be an actor or did you want to be a fireman at the age of 4?
A. I never wanted to be an actor! It happened by accident. I wanted to be a writer. Then, briefly, a porn star. Then a writer again.
Q. What do you do before a show?
A. When I was an actor? Take a large poo. Now? Have a large martini.
Q. Do you get lots of fanmail? Anything interesting?
A. I get quite a bit of fanmail via my website. I'm afraid this may be the most interesting thing I've received so far. Still watching out
for groupies to write offering sexual favours.
Q. What are the differences between the UK and USA audiences?
A. In the UK, there actually is an audience for the theatre. IN the US, we're all too busy watching infomercials and Britney Spears videos.
Q. Do you have any strange or funny talents?
A. My imitation of a basketful of kittens is always a big hit.
Q. Have you ever been unable to stop laughing while performing? What did you do?
A. I've never been like that. During rehearsal once with Adam, we got stoned and unwittingly kept doing the same scene over and
over again. When we realised what happened, we began laughing. Adam quite literally nearly died of asphyxiation. I just kept laughing.
Q. If you could be a vegetable what would you be and why?
A. A rutabaga. Because no one would eat me.
Q. In your opinion what way should toilet roll be fed?
A. I never feed my toilet roll anything. Do they require a special diet? Over the top.
Q. If you discovered a planer what would you name it and why?
A. Diana. The female Roman deities are underrepresented in our solar system.
Q. Do you have any bad habits? And do any of ther other RSC folk have any you hate?
A. Of course! I drink too much, smoke occasionally and often leave the light on in the bathroom. As to the latter question....yes.
Q. Have you anything to say to your fans?
A. Thanks!
Q. And how much do you actually know about Shakespeare?
A. I like to think I know quite a lot, but I'm no walking concordance.
Q. Would you be willing to take a test to see?
A. Willing?!! I demand it!
copyright. 2002