Dominic Cooper

Amy Grier5 April 2012

Where do you live?
I am from Lewisham, but in the last year I have been hopping around Hackney, Willesden Green and Camberwell, staying with friends and family.
What advice would you give to a tourist?
Try one of the guided walking tours, they are actually really good. And look up, or you will miss it.
What do you miss when you are out of London?
Sarcasm. And playing football for my local team in Dulwich. And, of course, my friends and family.
What are your extravagances?
Good meals and good suits. When I was a kid I used to put on a shirt and tie and sit at my desk, dreaming of a time when I would own a fax machine and a Ferrari. I still love the feeling of wearing a suit.
What would you do if you were Mayor for a day?
Extend cycle lanes, ban chewing gum, and have a word with the people giving away free newspapers on street corners. It's so irritating.
What is your life philosophy?
Keep calm and carry on.
What have been your most memorable meals?
Four o'clock in the morning at Greasy Jim's in Blackheath. It's a shed used by lorry drivers and Hell's Angels. Or Nobu, for something more refined.
What books are you reading?
Nick Hornby, who wrote the screenplay for my new film An Education, gave me a fantastic collection of his essays, Shakespeare Wrote for Money.
Where did you last go on holiday?
I've just got back from Berlin, which was a mixture of business and pleasure: I was promoting An Education at the Berlin International Film Festival. We stayed at the Hotel Adlon, which was amazing. I was in Sydney two months ago, at the Hyatt, with views of the Opera House. And a year ago I was in Mumbai, staying at the Taj Mahal hotel, which was damaged in the terrorist attacks last November.
Do you have a favourite view of London?
From Greenwich Observatory, in Greenwich Park, at 2am. You can see the whole of London.
What are your current projects?
Freefall, an improvised film by Dominic Savage that I did for the BBC. And I start rehearsing Phaedra soon, with Helen Mirren, at the National.
Which is your favourite London shopping street?
Portobello Road. It's just great to wander down.
What is your favourite item of clothing?
A really old, dusty pair of army-issue boots that I got hustled into buying in a vintage shop in New York. I got conned on the price, but I love them.
What's the most romantic spot in London?
Waterloo Bridge at night.