Polly March was born in Malta, went to England as a child, then trained at Guildhall. As regular theatregoers must know she has played lots of roles, ranging from Hermia to a parrot, via an awful lot of Agatha Christie thrillers and Ray Cooney farces. She played the original Mrs Beaver in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe in the West End, and for the BBC. Polly has also appeared in the majority of theatres in the UK and some abroad. She has created four solo shows, one of which won a Fringe First, then she was appointed Artist in Residence to New York

University.

Polly has been living here in Malta for the last two years. She says she misses her home, which is in a village in Wiltshire, near Stonehenge, and she misses her garden, with a river at the bottom and about 100 ducks. But she is happy here, as she has her sister Elizabeth nearby and lots of extended family and friends.

Polly is directing The Alchemist, which will be at The Manoel Theatre on 6, 7, 8 February. Then she will be appearing in ‘Allo ‘Allo and come summer she will be directing the annual Shakespeare. She is currently appearing as Ms Darbus in High School Musical at the Mediterranean Conference Centre over Christmas and the New Year.

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

Currently, older than God. Libra.

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

Just what I am doing now – but better paid.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A constant supply of new books and

plenty of work.

What is your favourite occupation?

Reading and of course performing.

Significant other?

None currently, but I have my eye on someone…

What is your greatest fear?

Being alone in a room with a large spider near the door and no mobile to summon help.

What is it that you most value in your friends?

Constructive criticism and unconditional support.

How would you like to die?

Disgracefully – and preferably with a lot of champagne around.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Cookery books.

What is your greatest regret?

Haven’t got time for regrets.

What is your most treasured possession?

A free spirit and my cats – but they own me, really.

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

The ability to sing in tune.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

The common cold.

Where would you like to live?

I think I fancy Iceland, as I hate the heat.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Humour and a deep desire for the correct word – very irritating.

Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

William Shakespeare and Lilian Baylis of The Old Vic.

What is it that you most dislike?

Spiders and apostrophes in the wrong place.

What is your motto?

In the cosmic scheme of things, darling, it’s only a little show.