Richard Eyre: What disappointment has stayed with you longest? — FLAPSS

The question

What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

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Richard Eyre

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

At university in the 60s, I thought social justice was going to improve exponentially. How wrong I was.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 February 2026 source ↗

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Miriam Margolyes

Never to have played at the National or the RSC.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 July 2025 source ↗

Cynthia Nixon American actress and politician

When I was about 15, I auditioned to play Alice In Wonderland on Broadway, and they cast someone else. I never got over it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 April 2017 source ↗

Harry Redknapp English football player and manager

That my mum and dad didn’t move to live by the sea, where we live, before they died.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 May 2019 source ↗

Erin O'Connor English model

Not becoming a ballerina.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 March 2008 source ↗

More from Richard Eyre

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Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Edward Bond, the playwright, said I was like a turd flowing on the effluent of British culture.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 February 2026 source ↗

Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

In despair, because of my wife’s illness.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 February 2026 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

Isn’t it enough just to be remembered?

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 February 2026 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

Warmth and confidence.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 February 2026 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

When I was doing a masterclass at a theatre and I had to leave the stage because I was about to shit my pants.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 February 2026 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

The rest is silence.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 February 2026 source ↗

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