Interviewer: What memories over the past ten years do you have that are reminiscent in playing Snape?

Alan: The start was exciting. I’ve edited every aspect, both psychological and practical, of the character: cutting hair, the length of the dress robes, make-up. Then, I entered a strange procedure. Every year of traveling, I secured regional plays, taking other stories and then, for seven weeks, I wore black contact lenses, finding an old friend and a part of myself.