Five minutes with Louis Emeric by Emma Kreft

Louis Emerick is best known for playing Mick Johnson in Brookside and Mike Bateman in Casualty. He is now back in the city and treading the boards at the Royal Court in Alan Bleasdales On the Ledge. I caught up with him for five minutes to see how he was getting on writes Emma Kreft.

So Lewis, what acting role has changed you?
There are certain roles you do that open your eyes. For me there have been two. Master Harold and the boys and Sizzlepanzys Dead. Having said that Brookside gave me twelve years of learning my craft in terms of TV. It taught me to keep my feet on the ground and to never take your family for granted.

What would be your idea role?
The next one! I'm in a wonderful piece of work called On the Ledge which is a coup for me as its written by Alan Bleasdale; someone I've wanted to work with for over thirty years.

If you weren't talking to me now what would you be doing?
Watching Jeremy Kyle.

A phrase I use too often is..
No.

I wish people would take more notice of...
Using good manners.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...
Getting the first episode of Brookie after I'd already auditioned for the part seven weeks before.

A common misconception of me is...
That I'm a bit aloof. When I walk around Wallasey I'm in my own little world so it can I guess come across to people that I'm a little bit stern so its nice when people say how approachable they find me.

I'm good at..
I'm a typical Gemini; I'm very good at communicating.

I'm bad at..
I'm very impatient.

The ideal night out is..
Having a nice meal with my wife and friends.

You know me as an actor but in another life I'd have been,
A chef. I had a go as a comms chef when I was younger but found the hours to be too long and the money too poor.

The best age to be is..
I'm coming up to 49 but in my head I'm 21 so I guess there is no best age to be in. Being 18 was a good time for me as it was the first time I was legally allowed to drink. As long as I can still talk when I'm ready for retiring I will be happy. When I'm 59 / 60 I still want to be working and still be active. I always want to have a thirst and lust for life.

On the Ledge is on at the Royal Court until May 24th. For more information please visit:
http://www.royalcourtliverpool.co.uk/royalcourt/april/Fri25.htm