LISTED LONDONER MY LONDON
PERFORMER LA JOHNJOSEPH GIVES US HIS CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS…
Portrait by CHRIS JEPSON
Where do you come from originally? Liverpool, la; like Cilla herself! Where do you currently live and when did you move there? I live in London Fields, just off Broadway market. Before that, I lived all over London – all over the world in fact, but I always end up back here. I’m an ersatz Londoner, really: a Londoner by default rather than intent. What’s the best thing about living in London? The museums are free: amazing; inspiring. It’s a privilege to live in a city with such a huge amount of accessible art. …and the worst? Financial inequality. I imagine this is how it must have felt to live in Ancient Rome: ostentatiously rich people living side by side with people who can barely make ends meet. Worse: people sleeping rough just a stone’s throw away from hotel rooms that cost £2,500 a night. This satanic cabal of a government has done nothing to help that. What are your favourite restaurants? Daquise in South Kensington is a dusty old treat; it looks as though it hasn’t been renovated since 1976, but the food is great: Polish, very hearty. Also, Made in Italy on Old Compton Street has great pizza. Where do you go drinking? I like cocktail parties, and I like to patrol the guest list. I’m usually involved in a feud with someone, so I like to know in advance whom I’m going to have to put up with on any given occasion. My friend (and musical director) Jordan Hunt throws marvellous clothing- optional soirées at his penthouse on the Thames. Favourite tourist haunt? Isaac Newton’s grave, of course! Favourite green space? Regent’s Park. The foliage there has a real air of restraint, which I appreciate, probably because I don’t have any of my own.
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WWW.OUTMAG.CO.UK
Where do you escape the city? I am a creature of the city: I like to be alone with everyone. When I do slip away I go to see my family in Lancashire, we take trips to all the stately homes up there. Or Cornwall: most magical place in England. Summertime, it’s beautiful. What’s the most you’ve paid for a cab, and to where? I never take cabs. I walk everywhere as it helps me think. I also hardly ever take the tube. I like the bus. It’s the perfect place to discover new strains of lunacy, and develop your homicidal impulses. If you were mayor for a day, what would you do to improve London? Enforced attendance for all members of the Greater London Authority to contemporary dance classes; and turn Buckingham Palace into a bath house.
Name a place or location of sentimental value to you… The cheese counter at Fortnum & Mason. Favourite London song… Amyl Nitrate’s version of ‘Rule Britannia’ from Derek Jarman’s film, Jubilee. What’s London’s most beautiful building? St Etheldreda’s Church, near Holborn; it’s one of the oldest Catholic churches in the country: centuries’ worth of spirituality vibrating in there. Are you single, partnered or dating? I am in love with the world! And also, my boyfriend. Invite us to a party… My top tip here is to find out what A Man To Pet is doing on any given night and go there. She is hilarious and so charismatic and sexy. We had a wild weekend performing last year in Zagreb! I’ve never been able to look a Waldorf salad in the face since!
La JohnJoseph stars in Boy In A Dress at the Oval House theatre from 14 February until 3 March (8pm and 2.30pm Saturday matinees).
www.ovalhouse.com www.boyfriendrobotique.blogspot.com
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