The artistic director on his family, Korean spas, and running from the police during the Southall riots<\/b>
\nB orn in London, Kwame Kwei-Armah, 51, appeared in the BBC drama series Casualty for five years. In 2003, he wrote his first play for the National Theatre, Elmina\u2019s Kitchen, which was shortlisted for an Olivier award. In 2011, he joined Baltimore\u2019s Center Stage theatre as artistic director, where he spent seven years. This year, he became artistic director of London\u2019s Young Vic theatre; his first production, a musical Twelfth Night, runs until 17 November. He is married, has four children and lives in London.
When were you happiest?
When my mother was alive. She passed away 14 years ago.
What is your earliest memory?
Going shopping with my mother, to Southall market, when I was about four.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Getting anxious before a first night. I can\u2019t bear it.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
What I perceive to be unmotivated or unwarranted anxiety, so it\u2019s really the same thing that I hate in myself.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Listening at the door of a girl I fancied and hearing her totally rip me apart. I was standing there with my brother, about to go in and be smooth. It was horrible.
Property aside, what\u2019s the most expensive thing you\u2019ve bought?
A family holiday \u2013 anywhere the kids demand. Last year, I wanted us all to go to Egypt and my daughter said, \u201cNo, we\u2019re going to go to Grenada.\u201d So we did.
What is your most treasured possession?
My mother\u2019s ticket from Grenada to England in 1962. I have it framed.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My rotund stomach.
What makes you unhappy?
Seeing poverty of spirit and physical poverty. When I see homelessness on the streets, it pains me.
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
To anyone I\u2019ve hurt unintentionally.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
It\u2019s a collective \u2013 my family.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Literally.
What is the worst job you\u2019ve done?
Doing the bins while working for McDonald\u2019s in west Ealing.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
When I realised I wasn\u2019t going to make it as a singer-songwriter when I was about 25.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Going to a Korean spa. When I was in Baltimore, I went every week. I would take my scripts, and go in and out of the heated igloos and jet baths.
What has been your closest brush with the law?
When I was 14 there was a riot in Southall. I was standing at the top of my street looking at the Hambrough Tavern pub burning down. A police van drove on to the pavement; they got out and started chasing everyone, beating people, and then arresting them. I ran, quickly, and narrowly escaped.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Any song by Donny Hathaway .
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who cared about others.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To listen.<\/p>\n