Michael Cross, Occupation: Artistic director at the Key Theatre:


Age: 45

In this new feature, we take a peek into the lives of some of the great and the good in our fair city, and find out about the music, films and books that have captured their imaginations.

Whether they are Proust-reading arts aficionados or action movie and lads' mag obsessives, we will discover the truth behind their cultural preferences as they reveal a few of their favourite things.

This week, artistic director at the Key Theatre Michael Cross talks about his love of the British institution that is the Carry On film, and recently-discovered singing sensation.


Is there a film star/pop star/rock star/artist/writer you admire? And why...

Sir Derek Jacobi. When I attended drama school he came along to give a talk. I was already a big fan – I, Claudius was a great favourite of mine. But he's enjoyed such a varied and successful career – very consistent and yet he has seemingly remained very unassuming and a very private person. This is testament to his talent as a performer and integrity as an individual.


Is there a TV programme you couldn't live without?

No not really – I would never let TV stop me doing something more interesting! BUT I watch Corrie regularly – some of the best acting you'll see on TV and always fun – even in the darker moments – some excellent writing here. I also enjoy Shameless enormously and have several box sets of previous series – something I never buy ordinarily. Again, some really good acting, and characters and great fun.


Do you remember the first record you bought – what was it, and where did you buy it?

This is really embarrassing – Benny Hill's 'Ernie – and he drove the fastest milkcart in the west!' As a boy, this record made me laugh a lot. Would have been 1971 I suppose and most probably I got it from Woolworths!

Tell us about a recent discovery in music, film, etc... something you've seen or heard recently that you would recommend...

I've always been a big fan of Harry Connick Jr and next month we've a brilliant young singer coming to the Key – who's been hailed as the new Harry Connick Jr. He's Peter Grant and I'm really looking forward to hearing him live at the Key on May 23 .


Tell us about any guilty pleasures lurking in your CD or film collections – something you know is a bit naff but you can't help yourself.

My Carry On film collection. They still make me laugh, and if one happens to come up on TV, I will invariably watch it!


Favourite film...and why

There's so many – but Gladiator is probably up there as the film I've watched the most times. You'll see that there's a roman influence emerging in my favourite things and it's a interest in Roman history that probably makes Gladiator such a favourite film.

Derek Jacobi's in, it of course, but the spectacle, scale and drama of the movie makes this an experience you can enjoy over and over again.

Again, the performances are faultless and when he dies and finally returns to his family in the afterlife – I still get that tear in my eye! There are very few films that I return to again and again – except for the Carry Ons of course!