Day Out

I would have to have a really clear conscience in order for it to be a perfect day, so I would have to have finished doing a really fab job. I'd have slept well and it would be really sunny and I'd get up really early to make breakfast for the people living in my house in Colliers Wood, south London. I'd go into town to Tower Records in Piccadilly Circus. They have magazines you can't get anywhere else - I'd get Entertainment Weekly and, if it were a perfect day, the cover would say that they're bringing back Dallas.

It'd be good if someone I knew passed by and saw me. I bumped into Greg Proops the other day, the comedian. He knew my name which was really good - I like to be spotted. Then I'd go to a cinema like Warner West End and see something like Reservoir Dogs. I'd go on my own so no one would talk to me. I like a good cry. Then I'd go to Cranks, the vegetarian restaurant in Great Newport Street WC2 (071-836 5226), and meet my friend Sarah Frankcom, who directed Anorak of Fire. We'd have lots of exciting things to tell each other. I'm not a vegetarian, but the food's good there.

In the afternoon I'd go to my agent in Whitehall. They're always really nice to me and make me cups of tea. Then I'd go to the Young Vic where ideally there'd be a revival of a Jim Cartwright play called To which had Billy and Sheila from Brookside in it last time. After that I'd go to a party and fall in love with someone I'd never met before and it'd change my life.

To go to Waterloo and look at the size of engine parts would be an imperfect day. In fact it was only when I was taken to a station to do publicity shots for the show that I saw my first trainspotter. Everyone I know has a trainspotter story except me.

James Holmes is Gus Gascoigne, trainspotter, in 'Anorak of Fire' at the Arts Theatre (071-836 2132)