Matthew has had a distinguished career on the English stage working for the likes of Shakespeare’s New Globe, Complicite, Royal National Theatre, English National Opera, The Royal Court and Steven Berkoff’s London Theatre Group. He has had numerous parts in TV and film, including Minder, Sharps Honour, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, A Touch of Frost, McVicar and Raiders of The Lost Ark. For the past five years he has lived in Gozo, where he has written and recently published a memoir, about growing up as an undiagnosed dyslexic in

Cambridge during the 1950s and 1960s, entitled I Could Be Anyone, which touches on a friendship with fledgling Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, David Gilmour and other poetic mortals from that time.

He is down to play the part of Lovewit in The Alchemist from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 February at Teatru Manoel. Curtain up at 7.30pm.

How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?

In body I’m 60, in reality I suspect somewhere between 10 and 18. I’m an Aquarian with Scorpio rising – quite a handful. Born on 2 February 1948.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?

Haven’t a clue.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Not sure if there is such a thing, a state of mind perhaps, beyond the idea.

What is your favourite occupation?

Practising yoga.

Significant other?

Lena, my wife.

What is your greatest fear?

Falling off the ceiling.

What is it that you most value in your friends?

Their happiness.

How would you like to die?

In peace.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Sadly, organic food – why is eating organic so expensive?

What is your greatest regret?

Not being able to spend more quality time with my dad before he died.

What is your most treasured possession?

In a material sense – because of my dyslexia, I would have to say the combination of my speech recognition and a laptop. In an ethereal sense – there is no doubt that my wife and son are, but I wouldn’t want them to think I’m possessive, so you had better leave that part out.

Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?

The tenacity to learn another language fluently.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being stuck in an unending traffic jam of ideas.

Where would you like to live?

As long as I can practise yoga and eat a really good salad, here, otherwise it would have to be a fantasy place, a place of dreams and play.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Wearing my heart on my sleeve.

Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

People who do simple jobs and retain their happiness and true dignity.

What is it that you most dislike?

My own arrogance and arrogance in others.

What is your motto?

This is by no means the end...