Robert Hastie
Operation Mincemeat officially arrived on Broadway last night, and to celebrate (?) another British invasion, we’re welcoming director, Robert Hastie, onto The Couch. As well as helping bring this unbelievable true story to Broadway, Hastie is also the Deputy Artistic Director of London’s National Theatre and directed the two most recent Best New Musical Olivier Award Winners: Standing at the Sky’s Edge (2023) and Operation Mincemeat(2024). A very
Read our full interview with Rob below.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
A partner not in the industry who doesn’t let me take myself too seriously.
What was your proudest moment?
Directing consecutive Best New Musical winners at the Olivier Awards. Standing at the Sky’s Edge won in 2023 and Operation Mincemeat in 2024.
What is your favorite drink?
Canada Dry ginger ale.
What is your favorite food?
Proper Spanish tapas.
What is your favorite condiment?
Balsamic vinegar.
What is your current obsession?
Learning British Sign Language. I’m doing my exams at the moment and I’d forgotten how much fun it is learning a new language.
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Diet Coke. I’m drinking one right now.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
Directing a Bond movie.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Pandering to the whims of my dog.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
I’m going to flip the question and say that the activity I don’t do enough of is day-dreaming. If a spare minute arises I’m constantly checking my emails or putting on a podcast. We’ve got so afraid of boredom. And those moments to just think, just be in your own head, are so important for creativity.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Increasingly the people we’re putting in charge of our world.
What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Kindness, I hope.
What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
I have lots of terrible traits but I’m owning them all myself.
What in the world most thrills you?
Well earned applause.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
The obsession with artificially dividing society into named generations. It’s lazy stereotyping, and one more way to make groups of people hate each other.
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
I embarrass myself all the time but you know I can’t bring a particular instance to mind. I think that’s deliberate actually. I’m still haunted by embarrassing moments from childhood, so I think I make an effort not to hold on to that kind of thing as an adult.
What is your favorite place in the world?
A specific mountainside in the French Pyrenees.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
Silliness.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Easy. Dogs.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
The discovery of the science to make dogs live as long as people.
What is your personal motto?
It’s better to be useful than to be right.