Co-founder and hostess of the infamous club/collective Duckie, Amy Lamé, opens up her little black book of London.
How long have you lived in London?
It will be 20 years in December - and I came over when I was 21, so I've been here nearly half my life (scary!!)
Have you picked up any London/British lingo?
Oh yes, I speak just like Max Bygraves now.
Seriously, I'll always have my distinctive New Jersey accent, that never will leave me and nor should it, otherwise you just look like as wanky as Madonna did, wearing Barbour poncing around pubs in Mayfair talking like Dick Van Dyke.
Name something that's better about London now than when you first arrived?
There are much better restaurants now than 20 years ago- or is it just that I can now afford to eat in nicer places?!
And something that was better back then?
There was more of a punky "let's just make it up and see what happens" approach to shows, performance, clubbing. People were less bothered about what others thought- less of a celebrity/I just wanna be famous attitude. The Tories were in power when I got here, and they are again now- I think that makes for a great "let's kick against the pricks" attitude. That's definitely happening again here in the capital. It's just a shame we have to have the pricks in power in order for that to happen.
When you need a break form the city, where do you go?
I never get tired of London and rarely want to escape. But I do like touring provincial charity shops with stops for tea and buns, preferably with my dear friend (and Director of Unhappy Birthday) Scottee. We've done Manchester, West Sussex, and Thanet so far. He's the perfect charity shopping partner but we do fight over some good finds because we have the same dress size.
It's 4am and you're ever so slightly wasted, which kebab shop do you head for?
I can be found pounding on the door of The Fryers Delight on Theobalds Road. Funny....they never let me in.
Where would you take someone on a first date in London?
We'll, I took my girlfriend on our first date to a notorious rent boy pub in Soho, then we went to the British Library to look at the medieval illuminated manuscripts, then for a chinese at the cheapest/rudest restaurant in Chinatown. That was 18 years ago and we're still together so it must have been ok. Let's face it, the only way was up.
What's your most memorable London theatre experience?
Walking the streets of London is pure theatre. Just saunter up Camden High Street any day or night of the week and it's far more entertaining than anything you'll see on the West End stage.
What's your favourite area of London?
Well, as the former Mayoress of Camden, I better say Camden, right?!
I've lived all over London (though never West) and my current neighborhood- Bloomsbury- is my favorite by far. I want to die here at a ripe old age, expiring near the British Museum wearing a tweed suit and a monocle, clutching a copy of Virginia Wool's Diaries to my bosom
What's your favourite restaurant/cafe?
I have lots of favourites! Gelupo for ice cream, Maison Bertaux for cake and gossip, Espresso Room for the capital's best coffee, Maletti for pizza, Cigala for tapas, 32 Great Queen Street for British comfort food...I think London is all about an internal "little black booK" of the best places to pop into when you're after something special.
Best boozer?
Royal Vauxhall Tavern - hands down. It's got spit, sawdust and an unparalelled history of bad drag and crazy performance art. I've been running my club night, Duckie, there for 17 years and I'd never want to spend my Saturday nights anywhere else.
Tell us a secret
Wellllll....get me drunk and I'll tell you anything!
Amy Lamé's Unhappy Birthday runs at Camden People's Theatre from 1st-12th May
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