Which actor, living or dead, do you most admire?

Probably Richard Burton – I admire how he started off in the theatre and was hugely respected as a stage actor, he had ups and downs in his career but has such power on screen – and I would imagine off screen as well. People become so animated when they talk about his performances – I think he’s got to be the one for me.

When were you bitten by the performing bug?

Always really. What made me seriously consider being an actor was seeing Mathew Reece’s performance in House of America when I was about 14. It made me think: Wow I’d love to do that.

What’s difficult about your job?

There’s a lot of pressure. If you do a long series like Misfits, you tend to lose track of a lot of friends because of the early starts and late nights. You can’t really complain, but you go into a tunnel in a way so that after you finish filming six months later you have to re-find relationships with your friends: It’s like “hello, I am still alive and sorry I’ve been a bit neglectful.”

Where are you happiest and most relaxed?

I suppose being in a room with people and not having to be in control, sitting back, letting the banter flow and chilling out with nice people who aren’t stressful.

What books are on your bedside table?

I’m not a massive reader because often you find yourself reading scripts all the time. At the moment I’m reading To Have and Not to Have by Ernest Hemmingway. It’s wicked. I was in an airport and I thought why not give Ernest Hemmingway a little go.

What do you like to drink, tea or something stronger?

It depends what I’m doing. I mean obviously tea if you’re sitting around, coffee right now, but a couple of beers if I’m out, whisky: single malt. And my flatmate works for a wine merchant so we drink some fine wines… which is very good.

What’s the best gift you’ve been given recently?

My old friend Lewis, who I live with, gave me a lovely decanter in crystal cut glass. I haven’t used it yet though. I need to buy some whisky to go in it.

Did you enjoy your sudden rise to fame?

That’s an interesting question because I don’t really feel that famous. I think I lead quite a normal life with the occasional something a bit different. I like getting on the train and normal stuff like doing the dishes, because you can so easily lose your mind in this world where everything’s done for you, you get picked up, driven to things, given stuff for free and all that madness.

You tend to play rather off-beat characters. What were you like at school?

Off-beat… no. I was just into skateboarding and playing in bands. I wasn’t a little weirdo or anything. I think I was kind of normal.

Can you tell me about your new release?

This new EP’s called Bang Bang. It’s a little bit different to Changing Times. Changing Times is a lot more produced and polished with more of a band feel where as this time we’re going for stripped down, raw and not 100 per cent produced. I think it’s the best thing I’ve done so far. Now the next step is to make a full-length album but I need to write it first.

What triggered your decision to leave Misfits?

I think I wanted to do something else. At the end of the second series it was different because I wasn’t obliged anymore contractually. I went to the producers and asked “What are you going to do, where is my character going?” I think I already had in my mind that I’d do one more series and leave because although I love it and I’m grateful for the opportunity it’s given me. I’m going to have to do something else: new challenges and all that malarkey.

A lot has happened and although you can’t reveal your character, how has filming Game of Thrones been?

It was brilliant, I really enjoyed. It’s such an epic production. It was really cool to do something different. I really like the show and watched it all in a week when I got offered the part. I was gutted at the end of the second series, I wanted to know what happens but had to wait until we got scripts.

Check out Iwan Rheon’s bandpage here.

Words: Ellie Sigman

The post IWAN RHEON: Interview appeared first on Wonderland.

You spend a lot of time with Hasidic Jewish men for your work. How did this all start off?

I’m fascinated with really tight knit communities, especially ones that appear displaced. For me just walking around in North London and seeing Hasidic Jewish men was intriguing; maybe it was to do with their clothing or the fact that it feels like they are living in a different time, a time that’s fixed at a certain point in the past.

How did you convince them to let you film them and hang out with them?

I approached them as a person that was intrigued and keen to learn. I was open and spoke about my personal background and my cultural heritage and why it meant a lot to me; when somebody comes to you and they say that they want to learn from you, not only is it flattering but it’s something that they didn’t turn their back against.

Experience from Lydia Brain on Vimeo.

What is it about dance that makes it the basis for quite a few of your works?

Dance is something integral and often at the centre of many Jewish festivals and celebrations. For me, it’s something that I see as a method of homogenization; for a short segment of time you could be the Prince of Azerbaijan dancing with Mick Hucknall (crazy example I know) but for that particular period of time they would be on the same platform, dancing at the same time to the same music, removing all social and cultural barriers.

Your art tackles pretty serious subjects, but it manages to be pretty funny at the same time. What’s the importance of humor for you?

As a viewer, if you were to find something funny it’s an instant response, so it’s common you would question why: “Why do I find this dancing Jewish man funny? Should I find him funny or is it wrong that I find him funny?” Humor can evoke questions and that’s what I want from my artwork, I want it to create questions and dialogue. Not everything has to be serious.

In “A day with a Hasidic Jew”, you document your subject going around London but he insists on keeping a three-step distance from you. Are there certain restraints that come up whilst working with religious subjects?

In a word – YES. I have to accept I create artwork with people, I create socially engaged artwork and this throws up questions and issues of ethics. My priority for when I’ve been making the artwork, when I’ve been asking these men to do certain things for me is that they’re happy and that they’re comfortable; maybe I am pushing them to do something that is out of their comfort zone, but it’s not something that can damage them or damage what is important to them such as their reputation with in the Jewish community. It is important for me to constantly ask permission to show works and to be aware consent can be taken away at any point.

What does 2013 hold for you?

I aim to create a closer dialogue with Orthodox Jewish life situated here in England and in Israel. I have been shortlisted for 2013’s Catlin Art Prize.… And of course some more Hasidic men dancing to pop.

The Catlin Guide 2013: New Artists in the UK is launched at the London Art Fair 2013, 16 – 20 January. It will also be available from Amazon, Culture Label and selected book sellers (£12.99).

Words: Ellie Sigman

The post CATLIN EMERGING: Lydia Brain appeared first on Wonderland.

1. Christopher Walken in Fatboy Slim’s Weapon of Choice

At number one it has to be this inspired. tune by Fatboy Slim. Christopher Walken gets his groove on as he dances the night away solo in an empty hotel foyer.

2. Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Ron Howard and Samuel L Jackson in Jamie Foxx’s Blame It

Yes, Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Ron Howard and Samuel L. Jackson smash it in this Hype Williams-directed video. Strippers and booze a go go in the ultimate lads’ night out.

3. Jake Gyllenhaal in Good Shoes’ Time To Dance

Loving the music videos, here’s Gyllenhaal once again – but this time he’s in dirty Dalston, rather than the luxe LA club scene, hanging out with cool party kids. It’s lengthy but well worth the watch.

4. Eddie Murphy, Iman and Magic Johnson in Michael Jackson’s Remember The Time

In at number four, roll on the lion cubs in Michael Jackson’s Eyptian opus Remember the Time. Directed by Shaft director John Singleton, the vid shows Murphy and Iman in a sandstone castle being entertained by Jackson.

5. Courtney Cox in Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark

Check out a very young Courtney Cox jumping on stage with Bruce Springsteen. Check out the short choppy haircut on The Boss’ pal. Yep, it was definitely the 80s.

6. Keanue Reeves in Paula Abdul’s Rush, Rush

Paula Abdul swoons over classmate Keanu Reeves (cue the “Keanue Reeves can rush over my…” comments from YouTube users). Loving the smarmy scene in the drive-in cinema.

7. Robert Downey Jr. in Elton John’s I Want Love

Lastly but certainly not least, here’s post-rehab RDJ in Elton John’s stirring ode to lonely singleton life. Some magnificent miming from Downey Jr. here as he sultrily wanders through an empty mansion.

Words: Ellie Sigman

The post 7 WONDERS: Celebrity appearances in music videos appeared first on Wonderland.