The London Look: Sophie Swithinbank

It's been an eventful time this past year for Sophie Swithinbank, to say the least. Following a rave run in London, her award-winning play Bacon took off on tour around the UK and Australia, ending up on stage at New York's Soho Playhouse Encore Series and optioned by NBCUniversal for a TV adaptation.

Not too poor a showing for a talented young playwright... 

Curious where you'll find this Londoner out and about, where she'd never be caught dead or what she's reading at the moment?

Where are you from originally?
London.

What brought you to London?
I was here all along…

What neighborhood do you call home?
Currently Homerton (Hackney). But I grew up in Chiswick.

What's your job?
I am a playwright and screenwriter.

What do you actually do all day?
Stare out the window. Make weird sounds while writing. Make snacks.

Social smoker?
The occasional grape vape.

Go-to pint?
Fizzy cold lager. But I actually don’t like a whole pint. I like 2/3 of a pint.

Crisp of choice?
Kettle Chips Lightly Salted. I think with potato foods, it’s best to keep it simple.

Preferred pub?
Southampton Arms.

What's worth the wait?
Yardsale Pizza.

Tube or Boris bike?
My actual bike. My kind and generous friend Ellen gifted it to me after my original bike got stolen from outside Euston station. Take heed! My bike is a Corerra. It’s really fast.

Tesco or Sainsbury's?
Both boring.

Weekend getaway trip?
My mum’s house in Devon. It’s a big family home and I do my best writing there.

Favorite restaurant?
The French House, Soho. A great place to take a lover, a great place to take your mum, a great place to celebrate. The best Madeleines money can buy, served with fresh lemon curd.

Marmite or marmalade?
Marmite always. Marmalade is just jam for people who are too serious. Marmite is a freakish substance of its own nature, and I love it.

British stereotype that rings true?
We all have bad teeth. And it’s fine, who cares.

How do you take your tea?
I actually don’t drink tea.

Most British thing about you?
I really enjoy a pub roast. 

Least British thing about you?
Probably the fact that I don’t drink tea.

Remedy for a rainy day?
Sauna.

First thing you miss when you leave London?
My friends.

Private Members Clubs - yay or nay?
Absolutely nay.

Where in town are you almost always?
National Theatre / Soho Theatre / Hackney Marsh / Chatsworth Road.

Where in town would you never be caught dead?
A private members club.

Best place for a fun night out?
Unit 58, Koshari, a big adrenaline rush of Egyptian / Arabic / Middle Eastern music, lovely crowd, guaranteed good night out.

How would you describe your style?
American Lesbian.

Top shopping spots?
My two favourite jumpers are from a stall at Vauxhall Market. You have to dig around a bit, but it’s worth the dig.

What's your greatest extravagance?
Travelling. I love London but I also love to get out.

Cheap thrill?
I think my entire life is just one cheap thrill. I live for it.

Who's your favorite person in town?
This is a hard one because all my favourite people live here. That is why I continue to live here.

What's your most overused Briticism?
No idea.

Reading anything good at the moment?
BLUETS. There is an adaptation of it at the Royal Court Theatre at the moment. Highly recommend.

What are you most excited for next?
Taking my new play SURRENDER to the Arcola Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

[Photos by Kirk Truman]