Graham Cole

Graham Cole plays 'General Waverley' in White Christmas at the Dominion Theatre, until 3 January 2015.

Date of birth?
16 March 1952

Place of birth?
Willesden, north London

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
Elizabeth Barris Voice coach, 10 years Repertory Theatre.

Briefly tell us how you became involved with White Christmas.
Read for the role and David Morgan [UK Production Director of White Christmas] cast me.

Briefly tell us about the character you play in White Christmas.
General Waverly, kind hearted, strict, old school military man, cares for every man in his charge, a true soldier who loves the Army, lost in the civilian world he has to try and now live in.

What was your first stage performance?
After many school performances, Pantomime with Dora Bryan, Mark winter, Little & Large, at Hippodrome Theatre Bristol 1974 for Bel Canto Singers.

What roles would you most like to play?
Secret Agent, James Bond Adversary.

What's the best advice you've ever received?
Whatever you do on Stage or TV and Film, do it with total honesty and commitment.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?
So very many over forty years? Probably tripping down a step and falling at the feet of the woman I was supposed to be strangling in an Agatha Christie play, having to cover my climb up her body to be able to do the dastardly deed.

What is the most annoying part about your job?
Auditioning, never gets any easier, trying to get into the mind of those in front of you, knowing what is required of the role but convincing them you are the one.

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
I trained in orthopaedics in the health service to appease my dad; I only ever wanted to perform from my early days at Saturday morning cinema.

Where are your favourite after-show haunts?
I love clubs and eating with cast members especially in the West End. Don't have a favourite YET! Ask me again after our Dominion Theatre run.

Who are your favourite actors/actresses/singers/groups?
Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Meryl Streep, Judy Dench, Julie Waters. My heroes are: Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness. Music: Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Alison Moyet, Classical music.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
David Lean, Alfred Hitchcock, Mike Leigh, Steven Spielberg for very obvious reasons. Apart from asking for a job, just being able to observe them and be challenged.

What was the last book you read, and name some of your favourite authors?
'Fork Handles' about the fabulous Ronnie Barker. Authors: Stephen King, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, John Grisham.

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favourite movies?
'Fury', 'Captain America', I love film so this is hard; 'Toy Story', 'The Deer Hunter', 'Strangers on a Train', 'Papillon', 'The Godfather', 'Schindler's List', 'Seven Samurai', 'City of God', 'Rear Window', 'Vertigo', 'Full Metal Jacket', 'A Few Dollars More', I can just keep going!

Favourite TV programs?
'Only Fools and Horses', 'World at War', any David Attenborough, 'The Bill', 'Strictly Come Dancing', Graham Norton.

Favourite holiday destinations?
Florida.

Do you have any hobbies?
Walking, tennis, charities.

Do you have any superstitions?
No, except for the theatrical ones.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
Wind up radio, photo album, big knife

What are your future plans?
Keep my family safe well and hopefully keep working.