10 minutes with Zach Braff

The comedy actor turned West End director scrubs up well, finds Hannah Nathanson

Did you know that there's a phrase named after you called 'The Zach Braff Effect', making unknown bands a hit by putting them on a soundtrack?
Yes, but I've only heard it over here.
Aren't you just a tiny bit flattered?
I think it's silly, really. I have a Grammy from the Garden State soundtrack and a lot of my musician friends come to my house and give the Grammy the evil eye because they think I won it for a glorified mix tape, which I think is true.
When you were filming Scrubs did anyone ever mistake you for a doctor?
It happened quite a lot because we shot Scrubs in an abandoned hospital in Hollywood and for the first year people would show up needing emergency assistance. We would tell them it wasn't a proper hospital and they would look around and see 50 extras dressed like hospital staff and panic. They ended up putting these giant signs up stating 'THIS IS NOT A REAL HOSPITAL'.
Could you do surgery if you had to?
Absolutely not. I could maybe perform minor surgery and remove some things but I couldn't put anything back.
You directed yourself in Scrubs and Garden State and now you're directing yourself on stage in All New People - you're a control freak!
I'm not sure if it's a control thing. I've acted since I was a kid but I really fell in love with directing. People often ask which one I enjoy most but I don't have an answer. I really admire people like Kenneth Branagh who can jump back and forth.
What was your debut role on stage?
I auditioned for a community production of The Music Man aged nine. I wanted to be the boy character of Winthrop Paroo and I painted big freckles all over my face. In the end I got the part of trombone player number one and I was brilliant, I must say.
Do you ever listen to the Garden State soundtrack for old times' sake?
I love all the music on it but I'm so excited/anxious to make another film and
every time I hear one of the songs it reminds me that I haven't yet.
Do you think All New People has the makings of a film?
Yes, actually there's already been an interest in making a small indie movie.
Would you ever move away from indie flicks and sell yourself to Hollywood?
I've just finished Sam Raimi's Disney film Oz: The Great and Powerful, which is the prequel to The Wizard of Oz, so I've already drunk that Kool-Aid. I play Oz's sidekick but I can't say more than that or Mickey Mouse will stick a pin in me.
All New People is at The Duke of York's Theatre, St Martin's Lane, WC2, from 22 February to 28 April (allnewpeople.co.uk)