Zoë discusses her heroes and being starstruck: 'talent is a very, very exciting thing'

29 February 2016 18:38

Zoë is the special guest on the latest edition of 20 Questions with..., a lively programme broadcast on The Wireless from Age UK, a radio station aimed at mature listeners. The interview was first aired on 27 February and will be repeated on 1 March at 6am.

Presenter Rob Jones prompts Zoë to consider treasured possessions, ideal dinner party guests, what the future holds and more.

'Myself!' Zoë jokes, when she's asked to reveal what scares her the most. She explains that her 'impulsiveness and indecisiveness' frighten her, in particular, and admits to being 'hard on myself – but I think it's important [to be like that]'.

Zoë's heroes include three late, legendary actors: Laurence Olivier and Alan Rickman (who were both 'dynamic' individuals), as well as her father, Sam Wanamaker, whose 'tenacity' amazes her. Zoë also admires Robert De Niro, Marlon Brando and James Dean – she's impressed by people who can 'stand up and transform themselves'.

As Zoë remarks, 'talent is a very, very exciting thing'. She emphasises that she often feels starstruck, especially in the company of brain surgeons, lawyers and judges, whose formidable intellects enable them to deal with major 'human situations'.

The workings of the mind are central to her forthcoming production of a 'new play by a brilliant writer called Nick Payne'. Elegy, which will be performed at London's Donmar Warehouse this spring, is a 'very interesting piece set in the future'. It envisages a world in which the mysteries of the human brain have all been unravelled.

Finally, Zoë's motto, which she mentions at the end of the interview, is one that we should all adopt: 'Seize the day!'

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