You may know him best as Mad Men’s Salvatore Romano, and Bryan Batt is completely fine with that. But the talented and charming actor has so much more to talk about, including his much-lauded role in the West End musical Here Comes J. Edgar!. He joined us for breakfast at Romano’s along with his husband, Tom Cianfichi. 

How do you describe your profession?

I’m an actor and dabble in design and writing. I’ve done nine Broadway shows, nine Off-Broadway shows, films, television — most notably, Mad Men, and written three books including my “momoir” entitled She Ain’t Heavy, She’s My Mother.

What are you working on at the moment, and how are you dividing your time between projects?

I am playing the title role in Harry Shearer and Tom Leopold’s zany and hilarious musical comedy Here Comes J. Edgar!, about the notorious and nefarious director of the F.B.I. It’s running through August 16th at the Kings Head Theatre in Islington. After that, who knows? It’s quite all-consuming, as I’m in 30 out of 32 scenes, singing and dancing, but I’m loving every moment with this truly gifted cast and creative team. It’s very rare that a cast joins together with instant camaraderie, support, and genuine admiration. This is my London theatrical debut, a lifelong dream. I’m also working on my one man show Dear Mr. Williams, my wild roller coaster ride coming-of-age story in New Orleans and the great influence Tennessee Williams had on that journey, told through my words, as well as the great playwright’s.

Where are you looking for inspiration these days?

I believe that inspiration finds us. We must be open hearted and willing to accept and embrace it as inspiration is omnipresent.

Are you a creature of habit in terms of your creative process, or does your schedule vary?

I have been described as a Tasmanian devil with ADD in my approach to everything in life. I tend to fearlessly dive in (off the highest platform available) with no restraints. You must try every potential possibility in artistic creation and often fail along the way; only then will you know what truly works for you.

Who are your favourite creative collaborators?

Right now, our wonderful director Josh Seymour. Besides being brilliantly talented, he is always calm, cool, and collected…but most importantly, kind. That mindset and environment set a perfect canvas for creativity. I’ve learned over many years that I only want to work with positive and supportive people. I have no time for negativity, manipulation, or mind games. I got into this business because I love it, deeply. I recall many years ago, while in a long Broadway run, an actor was complaining daily about the show. It got so annoying that I finally had to say to them, with all the kindness I could muster as I was fond of this person… “Then why don’t you leave? Give your notice, but know that tomorrow there will be a line around the block of the theatre of actors dying to replace you!”

What did you eat and drink today?

We had the Ten Deadly Sins breakfast, which was perfection. I’m abstaining from alcohol and living like a nun until the end of the show’s run, so I also had a Virgin Mary, or as I like to call it, a “Bloody Shame.” It was a pleasure chatting with Jeremy. Leave it to the “King” of British restaurateurs to rescue and restore this historic gem and guide it into the 21st century while maintaining its old-world grandeur. Our server, Rafaela, was fantastic. I look forward to returning to what I’m sure will be a divine dinner!

Who joined you?

My husband, Tom. We’ve been together for 37 years and married for 14. I just adore his unique and bone-dry and witty sense of humour. No one makes me laugh like he does.

Have you visited Simpson’s in its previous incarnations, or did you start coming here in its new era?

We were here maybe 15 years ago, and liked its old-world charm, but now it’s even more magnificent and gorgeously grand. I’ve had the pleasure of dining at many Jeremy King restaurants over the years and recently loved my truly delicious experiences at his new offerings, The Park and Arlington. Besides the delicious cuisine, there is always an air of calm welcoming elegance that is rarely found in today’s frantic world.

If you could live with any work of art in your home, what would it be?

Michelangelo’s David. Just kidding. OK, I must choose several …Van Gogh’s “Starry Starry Night” or one of his sunflower paintings. A John Singer Sargent portrait like “Lady Agnew” or “Carnation Lily, Lily Rose” … and anything by Giovanni Boldini.

When you are feeling low or uninspired, is there a musical artist, song or album that you turn to?

“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen and the overture to the musical Gypsy. Also, the film Auntie Mame starring Rosalind Russell is always an uplifting joy!

Who are your favourite artists in any medium?

Rodgers and Hammerstein and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

BRYAN’S DOSSIER


Birthplace: New Orleans.
Neighbourhood: Uptown. 
Cocktail: Arctic cold vodka, barely glance at the bottle of vermouth, vigorously shaken, up in a classic adult sized chilled martini glass with a lemon twist.
Bookshop: Octavia Books in New Orleans and Waterstones in London.
Gallery: Arthur Roger and Cole Pratt in New Orleans
Theatres: I love all theatres — that’s where magic happens. I just saw a play at the Royal Haymarket and fell in love! If you mean plays — shameless plug alert — come see me in Here Comes J. Edgar!. I just experienced Care in London at the Young Vic and was not the same afterwards, but as we all could use a good comedy, Oh, Mary! made me laugh until it hurt. I really love what the Bridge Theatre offers, and anything at the National. How wonderful the arts are supported so well in London.
Films: Blue Moon. Ethan Hawke was brilliant as Lorez Hart. Promising Young Woman — loved, loved, loved. Nuovo Olimpo, Cairo Time with my pal Patricia Clarkson was robbed of a nomination. Oppenheimer, Jojo Rabbit, and anything Merchant/Ivory, too.
Novels: James, by Percival Everett, and Todd Purdum’s biography Something Wonderful: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution.
Exhibits: I’m seeing the Schiaparelli exhibit soon at the V&A. Loved everything we’ve seen there…the Marie Antoinette, Cartier…you name it, they do it to perfection. The Tate is a must, and I could spend days at the National Portrait Gallery.
Television: Hacks, Big Mistakes, The Other Bennet Sister, Grantchester…we watched The Mary Tyler Moore Show during Covid and fell in love all over again, it really holds up. And Absolutely Fabulous.