This much I know: Gary Lydon, actor

My biggest fault is that I am impulsive. Sometimes I pick an option and go with it, without having thought about all the possible outcomes.

I was born in London, but we moved to my father’s hometown, Wexford, when I was a child.

I was an outgoing kid. I was always a bit of a performer. My dad was involved in Tops of the Towns. He was a good singer.

The first time I ever acted was in a school play in fourth year at St Peter’s College Wexford. I remember being really anxious to be in that play — the local girls school were coming along to see it and it was a good opportunity to show off to them.

I live in Roscommon now but I spend a lot of time away from home when I’m working. My children are 12 and 13. I was in The Clinic for a few years and away a lot, but, work commitments change. I’ve been home since November.

After leaving school, I tried studying business for a couple of years but I failed the exams and decided to take a couple of years out.

Wexford Theatre Co-op had its own youth theatre where you could get on a type of job training scheme. Myself and a pal of mine decided to just go on down there and ask about joining.

They gave me a script to read and that was that — I enjoyed being involved so much that I didn’t go back to college. My folks were not thrilled about my choice at the time.

You got paid a little bit more than being on the dole for a couple of years and in a way it was better than going to a drama school as you got so much practical, hands-on experience.

I was doing loads of work in front of an audience — Sam Shepard, Joe Orton, Dario Fo — all that type of stuff. I remember being very excited to be told Bono was in the audience one night — I think his wife Ali had family connections in Enniscorthy.

That all led to my involvement with the National Youth Theatre and meeting the Wexford writer Billy Roche, who had a huge influence on me. I made my London debut in his play A Handful of Stars and went on to perform in his Wexford Trilogy.

Billy Roche was a great mentor as was the director Robin Lefevre.

I’d hate to be sick. I’m health conscious, up to a point. I do try and walk as much as I can. When I am in the run-up to a play I get a lot of early nights. Being on stage is quite strenuous, mentally and physically.

But once we start the run, when I get home it is hard to come down immediately - you get into a routine of having something to eat, staying up, watching a bit of television.

My biggest fear is death, I suppose, although I go to Mass and certainly believe in something. If I could be someone else for a day I’d like to try being Nelson Mandela.

If I could change one thing in Irish society, I wish we could get away from civil war politics. We need more imagination on the political landscape.

When it comes to the water charges, I have a private well, but I’m against ordinary people having to stump up money for the failings of big business and banks.

I’d like to see the anger being channeled into forming a new party, giving people a real choice, having a real alternative to vote for. Recent events in Greece show there is the appetite for it.

I know Ireland has a history of being known as the land of saints and scholars, something we should cherish, but more money could be channeled into the people on the ground in the arts — actors, writers and directors — instead of having so much of it spent on administration.

My biggest challenge has been bringing up kids and coping with the death of loved ones.

Rehearsals in Galway for Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman are going well. It’s a great cast and a great director, Andrew Flynn. My advice to those who want to get into acting is.... don’t! Or if you must, make sure you have a thick skin and be realistic.

The biggest lesson that life has taught me so far is that it’s all going to end, so enjoy it.

Gary Lydon is appearing in Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman. The Winner of Two Tony Awards and Olivier Award for Best Play, Previews from February 19 in Galway Town Hall Theatre; The Gaiety Theatre March 2–14; The Everyman, Cork, March 16–21 and the Lyric Theatre, Belfast from March 24.