‘The Steeple Times’ asks the actor and star of ‘Mr Selfridge’ and ‘The Borgias’ Edward Akrout: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Curiosity.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
My family motto: “Ne tentes aut perficie”. Alternatively: “Don’t attempt anything that you can’t lead to perfection”. It was pretty daunting at first but I’ve grown to accept and like it as I’ve aged.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2015?
The Nepalese government.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
The theatre and performing on the stage.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Freedom in my work and preferably a new spine.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
If a healthy man has a heart attack once in his life, you could call it a crisis. If an alcoholic has a heart attack every two years and carries on drinking, you’d call it a way of life. I see the banking crisis as the system in which we function. I guess we’ll see how long it’ll last.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
Word: “Like”. Phrase: “Please type your penalty charge notice number, followed by hash”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I just returned from Kathmandu where I was assisting an orphanage called the Early Childhood Development Center. I brought emergency aid to the organisation, in the efforts to help rebuild. It was a heartbreaking situation but the Nepali people are resilient. The smiling faces and bravery of the children at the ECDC was inspirational. I believe all charity work is essentially selfish, because there is no greater joy than giving to others. Regardless of whether it’s at home or abroad.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
If you use your phone with me during dinner you might blow up too.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My grandmother (who used to be a regular) would know all the secrets and more importantly, where to find the open bar.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
My homemade burger cooked with the special recipe of having a key to my cell inside. Otherwise, enjoying it in a country without the death penalty.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
I stand by the belief: “It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere”.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Neither: I would opt for my grandfather’s special . He was a WWII Royal Air Force pilot and taught me how to fix a “Gin & French” at the age of eight; it consists of gin and Noilly Prat.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
The ones where I can choose the music and be with company I love.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Pork Chop, my French bulldog.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Stuffing my face with a lot of greasy sh*t.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
It would have to be henna, because I change a lot.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I’d like to be a Jaguar SS100 but with a modern engine.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I speak multiple languages, and am an artist (painter).
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
My trophy wife.
Edward Akrout is a 32-year old actor who was born to a Franco-British mother and a Tunisian father. He moved to England in 2008 to train at LAMDA and has since been prominent on the stage and screen in such series as The Borgias and Mr Selfridge. Follow him on Twitter at @EdwardAkrout.
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