This Week • 20 April 2003

The third degree with Kate Decesare

Attractive and bubbly, Kate De Cesare’s is one of the faces that we are most familiar with at Eden Leisure. Having been on board for about three years, Kate today is the Imax theatre’s director and is also responsible for the whole company’s marketing

If someone were to hand you Lm10,000, what would you do with them?

Well if you’d said a million quid, then I’d do all the good things you’re supposed to do… give out to charity etc. But seeing that it’s only Lm10,000 things are somewhat different. The sensible part of me would want to pay part of my house-loan but the other part would want to go travelling, treat and pamper myself and do all those things that I never have the money for…

How would you impress a lover?

Well, my fiancee` would probably be impressed if I were to cook him something as he is the one who’s always taking care of that. It’s not that I can’t do it myself, it’s just that he enjoys it more than I do. But if I had to impress someone new, I’d probably aim to be spontaneous more than anything else.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Definitely not something work-related. As the mad cat lady, perhaps as I’m a big cat lover. I don’t really want to be remembered for my accomplishments, more for my ability to make people laugh and for pulling silly faces.

What the worst insult someone can throw at you?

Owning up to the fact that an insult has hurt you can reveal your weak point. And I don’t really want to show these! Let’s say someone calls you fat and you get really offended, this shows that you have a real complex about it. So I’ll keep this one to myself.

How would you describe yourself?

As very outgoing. A person who loves keeping people entertained and who is also dedicated to her work. I do enjoy my work as long as it inspires me, I’m the kind of person who needs challenges. Not just mental challenges but even physical ones, which is probably why I took up rock-climbing.

If there’s a movie or song that best describes your life, what would that be?

One flew over the cuckoo’s nest. I don’t really know why, it’s nothing I can pinpoint but the feeling is definitely there.

Are you a coffee or a tea drinker?

Two coffees in the morning and one cup of tea later please.

What’s been the highlight of your life so far?

There have been quite a few. Living abroad was quite fantastic, for instance. Not a bed of roses, but helped shaped me. And then meeting Andrea, of course. And my marrying him in two months’ time will also be quite a highlight of course.

How old do you feel?

I’m 26 and I feel like 26.

What’s your best pick-up-line?

Did you pinch my butt? No? Why not?

What are you like when you’re drunk?

Silly! I sing, I crack jokes… I’m a happy drunk essentially, I get that "let’s love the world" aura. I don’t get depressed or angry – I do slur my speech though.

Are you an extrovert or an introvert?

An extrovert, most definitely. No need to think twice about this question.

Live long or live fast?

Long. I don’t want to miss anything so I don’t want to live too fast. But then again, boredom is a genuine fear and I want to make sure it never happens.

Tell us a recent dream.

This is weird but I remember it clearly. I was chasing an ambassador with a gun, dodging the police and the authorities until I got him. Then I told him that he just had to watch Mysteries of Egypt, which is the latest IMAX release. I was telling him all about what a good deal it is and how much he’d enjoy himself. My dreams are always really vivid.

If money were no option, what would you be doing now?

I would be doing more rock-climbing, more painting, more acting, more travelling… And I would also have a house with a large garden. My dream house is in Zurrieq, fronting on the sea and has this stupendous garden.

What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve ever eaten?

I’m vegetarian so that would probably have to be weird meat-replacements: tofu-this and soya-that. Oh, and in Thailand once this super-big insect flew into my plate and I sort of had to eat around it. That was quite bizarre because they expect you not to make a fuss and just get on with your meal.

Are you good at keeping secrets?

Yes because I don’t remember them for long. And if it’s a friend who’s telling me a real important secret, then I make sure that I forget even quicker.

If you could travel in a time-machine, where would you go?

I have always loved the renaissance period: the art, the culture, the life… So it would definitely be that period. However I’d make sure I took a box of tampax with me as well as deodorant. And I wouldn’t like it to be for more than a month – a box of tampax will only take you so far!

If you could be a fictional or a real charactrer, who would you be?

Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I’ve always thought that the way she slays vampires and keeps bouncing back is so cool. Unless she ends up getting slayed herself, of course, which would not be so cool. And I wouldn’t mind the way her hair is always in place, and a pair of perky boobs to go with my fighting technique I guess.

Do you believe in the supernatural?

No. However scary movies still impress the hell out of me. Last week I saw The Ring and it quite freaked me out. Being alone at home was not such fun after that, I’m telling you.

You are trapped in a lift with four strangers. What is your reaction?

It depends whether I’m trapped for long or not. I’d probably start talking to the others. Or I’d try to find a way out. But I wouldn’t freak out or try to find a hatch to get out of. My Buffy slaying skills have not been honed so far yet.

Do you consider yourself a workaholic?

I work hard and I am dedicated to my work because I enjoy it. However I do believe that I need the time to do the things that I love. All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl.

What is your greatest fear?

Something happening to someone I love. And the older I get the worse I feel about that.

Would you quite a job without having another one lined up?

It depends on how bad the situation is at work. But I think that now I’m more sensible than that. Still, I did it once when I was working in London – a hideous job waiting tables at breakfast where the patrons all assumed that I had no brains and treated me as such. That job didn’t last too long!

Interview by Ramona Depares