What was the first/best gig you went to?

My mum took me to see The Beatles as a baby. It was at Wigan ABC theatre, their penultimate UK gig in 1964

 

What’s your favourite Northwest originated song or piece of music?

This Charming Man by The Smiths as of this minute. May change tomorrow

 

What was your first/best experience of going to a gallery or museum?

Saw Elvis Costello at an Edward Munch exhibition once.

 

What’s your favourite painting/piece of art/sculpture?

Oh too many to pick. I love Rothko, Mondrian, Modigliani, Henry Moore, Gormley….

 

What was your first/best experience of going to the theatre?

Robert Stephens Macbeth at Stratford in the 90s is still the most visceral and astonishing thing Ive ever seen

 

Do you have a favourite northwest pub or restaurant? If so, what’s special about it?

I love my Cumbrian locals, Dog and Gun Skelton and Boot And Shoe Greystoke. And Kyloe’s restaurant in Great Salkeld and Gianni’s Penrith

 

Do you have a favourite Northwest local food?

Hot Pot. Or chip shop Steak Pudding with curry sauce. Best eaten in a bus stop

 

Can you suggest a ‘hidden gem’ in your home town/neighbourhood?

Rivington Pike. A nice hill quite near Wigan

 

What’s the one thing in your home town/neighbourhood that people really shouldn’t miss if they go there?

Millgate chippy

 

Was there anything particular about the northwest culture that inspired you to do what you’ve done/what you do now?

A certain doughty melancholy and wit

 

Blue Monday or Happy Monday?

Blue Monday

 

Bunny Men or Diddy Men?

Bunny Men

 

Morrisey or McCartney?

No way could I choose

 

Peter Blake or Peter Saville?

Saville.

 

Beatrix Potter or Brian Potter?

Beatrix

 

Welcome to the Pleasure Beach or Welcome to the Pleasure Dome?

Dome

 

Eccles Cake or Kendal Mint Cake?

Kendal mint cake. Eccles cake is horrible. Sorry Eccles

My Northwest

"Theres something about the North that makes poets and novelists of us"

Howard Jacobson

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