Cultural life: Conor McPherson, playwright

'It's thrilling to see the British tradition of political engagement in theatre alive and well'

Playwright Conor McPherson: 'It's thrilling to see the British tradition of political engagement in theatre alive and well' (Getty Images)

Theatre

Chimerica by Lucy Kirkwood at the Almeida. This is a great new play from a really exciting young playwright. It's thrilling to see the British tradition of political engagement in theatre alive and well.

Films

Neil Jordan's Byzantium. It's a classic Neil Jordan film, beautifully made and will stand the test of time.

Music

I've been revisiting the English band Talk Talk's seminal improvised albums Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock, which I'm using in my new play, The Night Alive.

Books

I'm reading Orwell: The Life by DJ Taylor. It's a fascinating study of an intriguing human being and a window into the soul of a peculiar kind of Englishness.

Visual Arts

I recently saw an inspiring and moving exhibition of Finnish art at the National Gallery in Dublin, Northern Stars and Southern Lights: The Golden Age of Finnish Art. It contained paintings from the period 1870 to 1920 with a mix of native influences and international styles.

Television

The Fall is a gripping crime drama by Allan Cubitt. It leaves you with a feeling you just can't shake.

Conor McPherson's new play, 'The Night Alive', is on at the Donmar Warehouse, London WC2 (donmar warehouse.com) to 27 July