Cultural Life: Lucy Porter, comedian

(David Sandison)

Television

I've been enjoying 'The Old Guys' on BBC1. It's like a traditional studio sitcom, with a sharp script and subtle performances. I'm also bingeing on 'The Wire' on DVD.

Film

I went to see 'The Wrestler' on the night of the Oscars, then saw Mickey Rourke robbed.

Books

'The Bolter', Frances Osborne's excellent biography of the scandalous Idina Sackville. I've also reread Dodie Smith's 'I Capture the Castle', and all of Nancy Mitford.

Music

I've just downloaded Harry Nilsson's entire back catalogue. "Down" is playing on my iPod.

Theatre

'August: Osage County' at the National is the only thing I've seen this year. It was funny, disturbing and brilliantly acted.

Visual Art

I'm about to go to Mark Wallinger's The Russian Linesman at the Hayward. I'm looking forward to seeing Bertelli's head of Mussolini.

Lucy Porter participates in the Last Laugh comedy lab as part of the Birds Eye View Film Festival at London's BFI Southbank, the ICA and the Gate Picturehouse, and Picturehouse cinemas across the UK. It ends tonight and tours the UK throughout 2009. www.birds-eye-view.co.uk