NF Simpson special: rare interview with the playwright

6th July 2010

 

INTERVIEW: NF SIMPSON

Extracts from a conversation with Dominic Cavendish at Simpson’s home in Cornwall in which the 91-year-old ‘absurdist’ playwright ranges across his life and various topics – his 1957 debut A Resounding Tinkle, the Royal Court, the Goons, Harold Pinter – ahead of the world premiere of his latest play, If So, Then Yes, at the Jermyn Street Theatre. Conducted at teatime in the presence of the play’s director Simon Usher, and Molly, Simpson’s Jack Russell.

I know I’m paranoid. If people came up and praised me I hated it, because I had this feeling that behind my back they were nudging one another.