Nicholas Quirke has lived here for 32 years, creating theatre for most of that time. He has founded three companies: Quirk: Theatre and Film, The Festival Shakespeare Company and Droll And Folly.

What is your favourite place in Sussex?_

Brighton Open Air Theatre. It has a wonderful atmosphere. Not only is it a beautiful place to work, to see theatre, comedy and music, but I love that it was the dream of one man and through the determination of his friends and the generosity of local people, it got built and not one penny of corporate money was used in its construction or in its continued maintenance. It’s a theatre for the people, built with money from the people and that makes me feel happy.

What do you love most about Sussex?

I love that I live in Brighton. At its centre is the Royal Pavilion which is such an eccentric building and I do feel that this strange folly reflects the atmosphere of the city and helps make it a really unique place.

Advice for yourself at 12?

Do not forget. Keep a diary.

What is your most valued possession?

My “shelf of shame” on which the bizarre, touching and frankly puzzling, loosely described as objets d’art and gifts, given by family and friends, over the last 35 years, reside.

What is your biggest regret?

That I thought I needed to tell the truth when playing the truth game.

What is your biggest fear?

That I might one day stop laughing and enjoying life.

What is your proudest achievement?

I am a great admirer of the playwright Howard Barker and his Theatre of Catastrophe. I relish the complexity of his approach to the human condition and his vigorous use of the English language When I was given the opportunity to create the role of Just in his play Minna it was the realisation of an ambition and one that I still feel proud of today.

Which five people (living or dead) would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

William Shakespeare

Woody Allen

Iris Murdoch

David Lynch

Helen Mirren