Maxwell Caulfield and Juliet Mills

British-born, American-raised Caulfield hit the big time with his appearance in Grease 2, and has more recently been breaking hearts in Emmerdale. Juliet Mills is part of the acting dynasty that also includes her father, the late Sir John Mills, and her sister Hayley, and has most recently graced the small screen in Wild At Heart.

The couple, separated by 18 years, met while they were performing in a stage production of The Elephant Man. Call 0844 8717 650 for tickets for Bedroom Farce.

Is there a performer who made you think “I want to do that?”

MC: James Dean, James Dean, James Dean.

JM: My Father. Sir John Mills.

Do you remember the first record you bought – what was it, and where did you buy it?

MC: Blue Is The Colour, a goofy single recorded by the Chelsea Football Players in 1972. They still play it at the Bridge all these years later.

JM: One of The Beatles’ first records in London.

Tell us about any guilty pleasures lurking in your CD or film collections – something you know is a bit naff but you can't help yourself.

MC: The Austin Powers series. A guilty pleasure but certainly not naff.

JML: Guilty by Barbra Streisand.

Do you have a favourite film?

MC: The first one that comes to mind is Apocalypse Now. It feels like it captures the lunacy of that war, plus Marlon Brando and Dennis Hopper – Hollywood originals.

JM: A Streetcar Named Desire. My Godmother Vivien Leigh won an Oscar for it.

Is there a TV programme couldn't you live without?

MC: Back in the US it’s the Fox Soccer channel.

JM: Emmerdale – when Maxwell was in it.

Do you have a favourite album?

MC: Quadrophenia by The Who and The Unforgettable Fire by U2. Brilliant, scintillating rock.

JM: Quadrophenia by The Who.

(It was part of Maxwell’s and my love story).

Is there a song or individual piece of music you always come back to?

MC: The title song of Sunset Boulevard.

JM: Love Reign O’er Me by The Who [from Quadrophenia].

What are you reading at the moment?

MC: American Prince, Tony Curtis’s Autobiography.

JM: The Secret [Rhonda Byrne’s bestseller about positive thinking].

Do you have a favourite book?

MC: Mister Johnson by Joyce Carey.

A lyrical, evocative, heartbreaking story.

JM: Lust For Life [Irving Stone’s biographical novel] – I’m fascinated by Vincent Van Gogh.

Is there a live music or theatre experience that stays in your memory?

MC: Jennifer Holliday as Effie in the original Dreamgirls on Broadway. John Malkovich wailing on Gary Sinise in True West.

JM: Most recently, Warhorse [at The National Theatre].

A brilliant piece of theatre.

Alan Ayckbourn’s work is still performed continuously and shows no signs of slowing down yet – what do you think is the key to his enduring appeal?

MC: His profound insight into middle class mores.

JM: He writes the most wonderful, bizarre and eccentric but real characters. Wonderful parts for actors.

Is the strain of the touring lifestyle made easier when you get to spend so much time together?

MC: I wouldn’t be doing this without her.

JM: Oh yes indeed!

Do you think we’ll ever get over the double standard at work when it comes to age differences between couples?

MC: The taboo strikes me as being pretty much a thing of the past.

JM: Of course!

And what’s next for you both? Do you have any time off planned over the summer?

MC: We’re developing a situation comedy that sees Juliet as the boss of the company and me as her wayward but favourite employee.

JM: No time off this summer, or autumn, or winter! We plan to go to Hawaii for a holiday in January.