Ben Lamb in rehearsals for Macbeth at Jerwood Studios. Photo by Richard Hubert Smith.Ben Lamb is currently playing Malcolm in Macbeth at the Young Vic. Here are his answers to our 11 Questions…
Can you describe your character in Macbeth in three words?
Not altogether pleasant.
What are you usually doing 10 minutes before the show begins?
Chewing on a Percy Pigs, and thinking about what I could have done better the previous night.
What is your favourite play (seen, read or worked on)?
There are so many, but the one that springs to mind is God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza.
What is your favourite midnight snack?
Wholemeal toast with peanut butter, raspberry jam & sliced banana, and a bowl of Greek yoghurt with maple syrup. Yes I know it’s more like a midnight meal. Don’t judge me.
What is your favourite word?
Probably ‘moist’, just because it has such bad rep. I always love an underdog.
If days were 28 hours long, what would you do with the 4 extra hours?
Exercise and catch up on theatre, tv & film that I’d otherwise miss.
If you could be in a room full of any one thing, what would it be?
Puppies, obviously.
Favourite holiday you’ve ever been on?
I went with my family to India when I was about 10. It’s where my mum was born, and it was a was great to see where she grew up, to see her christening information still in the local church register, to meet people who had known my grandparents, and to think how different mum’s upbringing was to mine. India is such a vibrant place, full of extremes and exciting contradictions, and the people we met were so kind.
Favourite city and why?
Berlin, Paris and Bruges, all for romantic reasons.
What is your favourite song?
At the moment, it’s probably Jamais je t’aime by the french rapper Abd Al Malik. Other artists I listen to regularly include Kendrick Lamar, Howlin’ Wolf, & recently the experimental South African rap group Die Antwoord.
If you could have been born in any era, which would it be and why?
Meiji Era Japan. It’s the period (represented in The Last Samurai) when the previously feudal nation rapidly opened up and modernised, and, though not without its problems, must have been an incredibly exciting time to have lived.
Macbeth runs at the YV until 23 Jan. Book tickets and find out more on our website.
