Monday, 12 September 2011

Gary Oldman on Deptford

With the forthcoming release of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, old Deptfordian Gary Oldman is interviewed in this week's Radio Times. Besides his acting career, he discusses with interviewer Danny Leigh his "rough childhood in hard-up Deptford, where his father walked out when he was seven". Incidentally this ultimately led him to write and direct Nil by Mouth, demonstrating Deptford's ability to inspire creativity in unexpected ways... but returning to the interview, he is asked if he ever goes back:

"Occasionally. It doesn't change. London changes, but Deptford is... Deptford. The same men I was always scared of but fascinated by are all still there. In the pub."

Interesting use of the singular - there are very few pubs in SE8 nowadays! I wonder if he had a particular one in mind?

3 comments:

. said...

I always had him more down as New Cross really, think he grew up near the Five Bells in Hatcham Park Road or thereabouts.

Deptford Pudding said...

Transpontine is correct, he was born in Hatcham Park Road in a house opposite the motor repairers, then moved across the road. His dad drank in the Five Bells.

Henry said...

Did you know Gary Oldman's sister is in Eastenders?