Another scene from Richard E. Grant’s Hotel Secrets.

ABOVE: Psychologist Donna Dawson explains to Richard how the ambience, decor and history of a particular hotel can affect your personality and behaviour

TheSouthAfrican.com/ – 6th November, 2012

Richard E Grant is an award-winning actor who lives in London.

By Jeremy Kuper.

Bullet Biography
Born: 5 May 1957 in Swaziland
Resides in: London with his wife, voice coach Joan Washington, daughter Olivia and stepson Tom
Education: Attended Waterford boarding school and studied drama at University of Cape Town
Career trajectory: Co-founded the Troupe Theatre Company, a multiracial, avant garde group, while at university in Cape Town
Moved to London in 1982 and got his big break in cult 1986 film Withnail and I
Since then has starred in a variety of films including Dracula, Gosford Park, Bright Young Things and The Iron Lady, as well as television shows such as The Scarlet Pimpernel, Hound of the Baskervilles and Doctor Who.
Theatre appearances include My Fair Lady and The Importance of Being Earnest
In 2005, wrote and directed Wah Wah, a film based on his own experiences as a teenager in Swaziland in the 60s, shortly before independence
Currently filming latest film Dom Hemingway, starring alongside Jude Law, in South of France

What was the hardest thing about coming to the UK from Southern Africa?

Leaving everyone and everything that was nearest and dearest to me was an incredible wrench. After I graduated from UCT in 1979, a bunch of us founded the Troupe Theatre company based at the People’s Space theatre in Cape Town and working between there, the Baxter theatre and the Market theatre for two years. An unforgettable and unique experience forged on very strong friendships. My father died at the age of 52 in October 1981 and I felt as if my world had flipped on itself. I was 24 and suddenly felt it was now or never to try and crack a career in London. I reckoned that if I couldn’t get regular work as an actor by the time I was 30, I would return to Swaziland and sell pineapple beer!

What was your big break?

Being cast as an upper class, alcoholic, drug-addicted actor in Withnail and I in 1986. It singularly changed my life and career and I owe every good thing that has come my way since then to its writer-director Bruce Robinson for taking the risk of casting a total unknown in a brilliantly written lead role.

Did you have to reinvent yourself to fit into the British acting scene?

Having grown up in Swaziland which had a predominantly English expatriot community with a thriving amateur theatre club afforded me a wealth of early experience. I subscribed to Plays and Players magazine detailing the London theatre scene every month and I vicariously followed actors and playwrights from afar so it didn’t feel that much of a cultural shift when I emigrated. However, what was overwhelming was moving to a city of several million people and being totally anonymous after having been brought up in Mbabane where everyone mostly knew everybody.

When you were at university did you ever have to act as a tree (this question is from our publisher)?

During my first year at UCT drama school we did have acting exercises observing, then imitating animal behaviour, but never trees. Though I did get a review when I was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream that denounced my performance as being ‘wooden’. Haha!

South Africans have claimed you as their own, but do you see yourself as Swazi, South African, English or all three?

Even though I’ve lived in London for three decades, much longer than I ever did in Swaziland and South Africa combined, I still feel the magnetic pull of where I grew up and return regularly like a homing pigeon. It’s part of my DNA so I feel that I am deeply connected to all three countries.

About the author: Jeremy Kuper is a journalist and editor of Gateway to Africa. His work has appeared in a number of publications including The Guardian and Mail & Guardian.

A scene from Richard E. Grant’s Hotel Secrets. This episode is focused on “Living And Dying”.

A scene from Richard E. Grant’s Hotel Secrets. This episode concentrates on “Power And Money”.

MadeInMe.com – 24th October, 2012

Some say he shot to fame for his role in Withnail and I, but in my eyes he holds a special place for playing Jack, in one of my favourite films ever, Jack and Sarah! Films aside, when we received news that Mr Richard E. Grant agreed to narrate for one of the greatest picture book collections ever published – Peter Rabbit – the champagne came out and the dancing shoes on. He was also kind enough to answer some questions. What a lovely man! Ladies and gentelmen, the one and only, Mr Richard E. Grant.

1) Describe yourself as a child in five words.

Extremely curious, skinny and fast.

2) Do you remember the Peter Rabbit books from when you were a child?

I loved Jemima Puddleduck and had a record of it which had very funny characterisations and will never forget ‘Flyyyyyyyyy Jemima, Flyyyyyyyyyyyy’. The fact that all the books were miniature sized made especially for children with beautiful illustrations guaranteed their place next to my bed.

3) Me Books aims to inspire children to read. Do you think it’s important to encourage kids to read, and why?

Nothing beats going to sleep with a bed time story. Perfectly bridges the gap between being awake and dreaming. Unlike watching TV, the story always feels like its just written for you and nobody else knows what you’re reading about and that makes you feel very independent.

4) What are your opinions on the Print Vs Digital debate for children?

The naysayers predicted radio would be killed off by TV, the movies by sound, films by video and DVD, books by Kindle. Any and every format for reading gets my vote.

5) What was your favourite book as a child?

Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan and The Borrowers and The Water Babies and I’d better stop as you’ve only asked for a favourite, but they were, and all remain favourites.

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MADE IN ME make children’s games, apps, books and toys using only the finest pixels.

Get the new Me Books app and listen to Richard E. Grant narrate The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Samual Whiskers, Benjamin Bunny and The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies.

Jen.