My London: Michael Clark

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How long have you lived in London? On and off since 1975, when I came to the Royal Ballet School.

Where do you live and why? I don't have a house here - I've been moving around recently. I'm hoping to move to WC1 soon.

Are you a member of any club? No, but I love the idea of a gentlemen's club - the ambience, leather chairs and cigar smoke. But it would have to welcome women.

What was the last book/CD you bought? Can I tell you about the first book I bought here? It was Alternative London, a guide that told you how to get free electricity, find a squat, and roll a joint. I prefer buying vinyl but my record player's in storage at the moment so I buy CDs. I've just got hold of a copy of the new Fall CD Are You Are Missing Winner, which is great.

Do you have a local restaurant/pub? I don't have a local, of course, but St John is somewhere I come to as often as possible. My regular pub is The Golden Heart opposite Spitalfields. Sandra, the landlady, is my London Mum.

Where would you most like to spend a 'lost weekend' in London? Quite a few of the weekends I've spent here have been lost. But I'd quite like to spend one in what used to be the revolving restaurant in Telecom Tower. It's the most beautiful London landmark.

What keeps you awake at night? More often than not, it's the things that give me most pleasure.

What's your earliest memory of London? King's Cross - like any Scottish person (most of us come in to Euston or King's Cross). I came to audition for the Royal Ballet when I was 12. I'd never really been anywhere and I walked round King's Cross and Hammersmith, where the Royal Ballet senior school was, fascinated. I stayed in a B&B in Sussex Gardens, which was quite seedy. I think most of the women living there were 'working'. The sounds I could hear in the night were always intriguing. An IRA bomb went off round the corner at one point.

When did you last lose something valuable and what was it? My memory. There's a chunk of time that I haven't got a great recollection of - I would say from 1995 to 1997. I'm sure if I made an effort I could remember it but I just choose not to.

What's the last film/play you saw in London? Did you enjoy it? I hate plays, I hate this whole idea of projection. And what I enjoy about films is the end. If I go to the cinema I usually end up sitting in the toilet on my own. I just have no patience.

When and where did you last get drunk? Tonight at St John. That's a prediction.

Admit to one thing you've done in London that you've never told anyone. Most of the things I've done of that nature have involved other people. So they know.

What's the first piece of advice you'd give a London tourist? Go home [laughs]. I'm probably quite kind to tourists. But I lived in Soho for eight months, and sometimes you can't get out of your own front door.

When did you last lose your temper? It doesn't happen very often, but it was probably when I stopped smoking. Or when walking along Oxford Street to get the bus to Sadlers Wells. Some people have no sense of their physical space. It drives me mad.

When was the last time you broke the law? The best time was when I stole the music for the first dance I choreographed at ballet school. For some reason, it seemed important not to pay. I'm embarrassed about it now: I stole a hurdy-gurdy. The dance was called Belongings. I won a prize for it, but I think I took the hurdy-gurdy back afterwards. I can't steal. I'm useless at it. I used to shoplift with the girls I went to dance classes with in Aberdeen. They'd do all the work and I just used to go along for the thrill.

When did you last blow £2,000 and what was it on? I never have.

Give us your best tip for overcoming depression. Sleep. I find sleep the best for myself.

What do you miss most when you're out of London? My friends.

Name a song/tune that you associate with London. 'The Old Main Drag' by the Pogues.

Have you ever been refused entry anywhere? If it has ever happened, it's not something that's stuck in my mind. I've always been quite good at finding ways and means.

Have you ever been a victim of violence in London? I've been beaten up a few times - mainly when I was younger. I'm Scottish, I sometimes get a bit lairy when I'm p****d. I was hit by a car a couple of years ago. I thought I was crossing Harrow Road sensibly, my legs went from under me and my bottom went backwards through the windscreen. I felt really foolish.

What is the most expensive meal you've had in London and who did you eat with? I took the dancers to St John for a lunch meeting. My card was declined.

What's your favourite meal to cook at home? Hangover food. Some days I get homesick and I have Fray Bentos.

What's your most memorable night out? I saw The Pogues on St Patrick's Day at the Town & Country in 1988. It was a combination of playful aggression and affection. It was quite magical.

What's your favourite view? [Chuckles.] Some of the new positions I've created with my dancers.

The rumours are that you've stopped dancing and are only choreographing now. Is this true? I'm not stopping dancing by any means. But I want to work with my dancers' potential as opposed to my limitations.

What last made you cry? I was crying today about something. It was silly, though. It was in anticipation of a piece of work I've made that I'm extremely proud of. This is awful, it's all about me!

Where in London would you have your ashes scattered?I'm hoping to get stuffed.

If your house were on fire, which three things would you rescue? I'd be incredibly surprised to have a house.

The Michael Clark Company is appearing at Sadlers Wells (020 7863 8000) till 28 October

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