Lolita Chakrabarti: What has been your biggest disappointment?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

This exact question recurs in The Guardian's institutional Q&A pool.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Lolita Chakrabarti said elsewhere, not written here

That my first play, Red Velvet, took so many years to be done. It took me seven years to write and then five years to get to the stage.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 May 2022 source ↗

Others on this question

Trusting someone and being let down.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

Marie Kondo Japanese organizing consultant, author, and television show host

In elementary school: I opened my lunchbox and it was empty. I was devastated.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 January 2022 source ↗

Julie Andrews English actress, singer and author

Losing my singing voice. I had to have an operation and unfortunately it was not successful. I’ve not been able to sing since.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2019 source ↗

Lena Headey British actress

Realising that people are not always who they claim to be.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 August 2013 source ↗

To my mum; I wish I’d known her better before she passed in 2016.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 May 2022 source ↗

Lack of empathy.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 May 2022 source ↗

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