Twenty-eight-year-old actress Gemma Arterton grew up in Gravesend, Kent, and attended first the Miskin theatre school in Dartford then the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She secured her first film role – as headgirl Kelly Jones in St Trinian’s – while still at Rada, and shortly after graduating played Bond girl Strawberry Fields in 2008’s Quantum of Solace. In 2010, she secured the lead in Tamara Drewe, for which she was nominated for a Bafta rising star award. She is currently appearing in Richard Bean’s musical Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi theatre, London.
Music: Haley Bonar
My favourite artist is an American singer called Haley Bonar. Her current album is called Last War. It’s amazing – my album of the year. She’s had five albums out already, but this is the first one that gained recognition over here. Bon Iver – another artist I like – helped her out on this. It’s so eclectic and different. Everyone should own this album.
Play: The Cherry Orchard
If I have time to see anything in the next six months, Katie Mitchell’s The Cherry Orchard at the Young Vic is on my list, just because it’s the complete opposite of what I’m doing at the moment, which is an out-and-out, full-on, uplifting musical comedy. It’s a very intense play – I’d like to see some hardcore acting and her stuff is always really interesting. I’d also like to see Henry IV at the Donmar. It’s – an all-female cast directed by Phyllida Lloyd.
Book: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
I’m reading this at the moment. It was written in the early 1960s and it’s a black comedy. It’s quite haunting – it’s about three characters who have agoraphobia. One’s been acquitted of murdering the rest of her family by accidental poisoning. It has this weird American period feel. It’s quite dark, but funny also.
Restaurant: The 34
I love the 34. It makes me feel quite chic, because it’s in Mayfair, and they do good cocktails. I don’t go out for dinner often, so when I do I like to live it up a bit. It has a really good vegetarian menu; I’m not vegetarian but I mostly eat vegetarian food. I also like the Wallace restaurant. It’s a gorgeous setting, really quite romantic.
Exhibition: Paris Photo
I live in Paris – it has an amazing art and photography scene. During November, they have the Paris Photo – everywhere in Paris is turned into a venue featuring photography. If you’re a photography fan, it’s heaven.
Film: Inherent Vice
In my opinion, Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the best directors out there. I loved The Master and Magnolia and There Will Be Blood – I’ve seen all of his films. Boogie Nights is one of my favourite films ever. I’m very excited about Inherent Vice – the trailer looks great. It has a brilliant cast, including Joaquin Phoenix. It’s going to be good.
