Londonist asks someone some random questions. This time it's Live at the Apollo host Angela Barnes, who's appearing at the Leicester Square Theatre with her show Angst. Get ready to talk Waterloo & City line stations, Brutalism and some cake puns that you gateau love.
Your latest show's called Angst. What in London makes you most angsty?
It might be quicker to list what doesn't. I love London, but it's a hectic place and I've an overactive imagination. You know those people who when they are a passenger in your car they'll suddenly go "Oh My God!", so you almost crash the car and it turns out they’ve just seen there’s a sale on at Matalan? Well that person lives in my brain. But probably the thing that I worry about most is that I'll be the person whose Apple pay doesn't work when they go through the ticket barrier, holding up the queue, trying to sort it out while trying to ignore the worst sound in the world, the Londoner's tut.
Rank all your favourite Waterloo & City line stations in numerical order
Waterloo is number one because it leads you to the South Bank which has the best Brutalist architecture, the National Theatre, art galleries and the BFI.
And Bank is last because it leads you to, well, bankers.
Weirdest thing you've ever witnessed in London?
I once saw a man running to get on a Tube train just as the doors were closing. He swung his arm through first, but the doors shut before he could actually get on, so he had no choice but to let go of the Indian takeaway he had been holding. I will never forget the look on his face as he watched his dinner disappear up the Northern line.
Speaking of takeaway... after you've done a show at Leicester Square Theatre do you go a) for a Chinese b) Prince Charles Cinema c) Home d) Other?
Actually, a Chinese is quite a good shout. The good thing about doing a show at seven is it's done by nine and I can totally get something to eat without messing up the next day. I'm a perimenopausal woman, I can't be eating after 10pm. I'd be awake for days…
Best column in London? (Nelson's isn't allowed)
Oh that's easy, the beautiful pick-hammered concrete columns at the Barbican. My favourite London place to be is the Barbican in the sunshine… and yes, I know that’s not what you meant ;)
We know you're a fan of TV show Is It Cake? Now it's time for you to decide... has this interview been real, or was it actually a cake all along?
Well Madeira, I'm Fairy sure this Carrot be a cake as that would be Parkin mad. If I use my Loaf, I French Fancy it's a tasty interview with many Layers, but Chorley an interview made of cake would be Bananas, I mean it would certainly be hard to Bakewell. I was going to add something else, but it's Scone.
Angela Barnes performs Angst at Leicester Square Theatre on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
