Cultural Life: Alfie Allen, actor


Books

I'm now 21, but I definitely read more books when I was a teenager. These days, I'm reading more film scripts than books – but I can't say what for because it's secret! I enjoy reading books on criminology about hard guys and drug dealers. I read the autobiographies of Curtis Warren, Roy "Pretty Boy" Shaw, Lenny McLean, and Charles Bronson. I had a crack at No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies by Naomi Klein, but didn't finish it.

Film
I watch a lot of DVDs, among them recently Airplane!, a hilarious Eighties classic I'd not seen before; Oliver Stone's Platoon, about Vietnam; the comedy Old School with Will Ferrell; Superbad, which about underage high-school friends getting drunk; and Knocked Up, about unexpectedly becoming a father. My mum, Alison Owen, produced the Academy Award-winning film Elizabeth, so she gets sent DVDs from the Academy of all the films up for an Oscar. I've watched There Will Be Blood, but I haven't had the chance to see No Country For Old Men yet.

Music
I have been listening to songs on my sister Lily Allen's new album, which you guys haven't heard yet. On my iPod, I've been listening to Echo & The Bunnymen's "The Killing Moon"; Tony Bennett's "The Good Life"; Kasabian's "Empire"; Klaxons' "Golden Skans" and Daft Punk's "De Funk".

Theatre/opera
I enjoy doing theatre, rather than watching it. I'm starring in Peter Shaffer's play Equus right now on a 16-week national tour playing Alan Strang, the mixed-up 17-year-old with a passion for horses. The last time I went to the theatre was in 2000 to see my dad Keith Allen in Harold Pinter's Celebration and The Room at the Almeida. I've never been to the opera before in my life.

Visual arts
I don't follow art, but I'm interested in it. My favourite artist is Damien Hirst. The last exhibition I went to was Pop Art Portraits at the National Portrait gallery at the end of last year.

Alfie Allen stars in 'Equus', which is touring to 24 May (www.equustheplay.com)

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus

Day In a Page

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future

Sellafield faces nuclear option

Overspending threatens plant's future
Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Tehran rejects Netanyahu's 'lies' after diplomats in India and Georgia targeted
Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time

Tommy Cassidy interview

Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time
James Lawton: Patience may not be a virtue this time, Roman – Andre Villas-Boas looks all at sea

James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea

Abramovich's visits to training reinforce the idea of a coach feeling pressure from above and below
The 10 Best sledges

The 10 Best sledges

Not all of them require snow...
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Confronting the real reasons for puttting things off can help us beat it
Fun in the sunset years

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows retirees moving to India for low-cost care and a culture of respect for the elderly. For many Britons, it's already a reality
Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner