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

The question

What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

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The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

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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 ↗

Others on this question

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Engelbert Humperdinck British singer

Not understanding the business side of my career enough. I could have probably been much wealthier than I am.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 February 2019 source ↗

Sheena Easton Scottish singer

That I never found a way to stay in a relationship long term. I always feel trapped.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 April 2017 source ↗

Beth Ditto American singer

When Justin Bieber's management kicked us out of his rehearsal because they were afraid we'd laugh at him. I was actually super-excited.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 July 2012 source ↗

Charlotte Church Welsh singer-songwriter and actress

The outcome of the Leveson inquiry.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 July 2022 source ↗

More from Richard Eyre

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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 Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

To my father, who was aggressively indifferent to what I was doing. He did say sorry to me when he was dying and I don’t think I was very gracious.

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

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 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 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 ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Curious, energetic, droll.

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

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