Cultural Life: Alfie Allen, actor
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I'm now 21, but I definitely read more books when I was a teenager. These days, I'm reading more film scripts than books – but I can't say what for because it's secret! I enjoy reading books on criminology about hard guys and drug dealers. I read the autobiographies of Curtis Warren, Roy "Pretty Boy" Shaw, Lenny McLean, and Charles Bronson. I had a crack at No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies by Naomi Klein, but didn't finish it.
Film
I watch a lot of DVDs, among them recently Airplane!, a hilarious Eighties classic I'd not seen before; Oliver Stone's Platoon, about Vietnam; the comedy Old School with Will Ferrell; Superbad, which about underage high-school friends getting drunk; and Knocked Up, about unexpectedly becoming a father. My mum, Alison Owen, produced the Academy Award-winning film Elizabeth, so she gets sent DVDs from the Academy of all the films up for an Oscar. I've watched There Will Be Blood, but I haven't had the chance to see No Country For Old Men yet.
Music
I have been listening to songs on my sister Lily Allen's new album, which you guys haven't heard yet. On my iPod, I've been listening to Echo & The Bunnymen's "The Killing Moon"; Tony Bennett's "The Good Life"; Kasabian's "Empire"; Klaxons' "Golden Skans" and Daft Punk's "De Funk".
Theatre/opera
I enjoy doing theatre, rather than watching it. I'm starring in Peter Shaffer's play Equus right now on a 16-week national tour playing Alan Strang, the mixed-up 17-year-old with a passion for horses. The last time I went to the theatre was in 2000 to see my dad Keith Allen in Harold Pinter's Celebration and The Room at the Almeida. I've never been to the opera before in my life.
Visual arts
I don't follow art, but I'm interested in it. My favourite artist is Damien Hirst. The last exhibition I went to was Pop Art Portraits at the National Portrait gallery at the end of last year.
Alfie Allen stars in 'Equus', which is touring to 24 May (www.equustheplay.com)
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