“Since moving to London 3 years ago, I’ve seen over 100 shows (106 to be exact). I might’ve got a bit excited having come from South Wales where we’re nowhere near as spoilt for choice when it comes to shows. I’ve kept track and rated each show in a very nerdy document on my phone!”
What kind of actor do you aspire to be?
A versatile, playful and truthful one. I really do want to do it all. Different forms of media excite me, I love film and TV and stage and music and radio and just all of it! I especially love mixing different types so plays that incorporate music for example. There’s always more characters to play and their stories to be told, I look forward to sharing as many of those stories as possible and bringing more Welsh voices to mainstream entertainment is something I’m passionate about. I also look forward to meeting people who share the same love for performing as I do and work as a strong team member to create something brilliant!
What performance piece did you choose for the showcase and why?
I chose to perform a piece by the character Bethan from Welsh drama ‘In My Skin’. I knew I’d want to do something Welsh written so instantly looked to this series for something as it’s a part that I’d have loved to audition for had I already been out in the industry. I think I related to Bethan as well, since she felt somewhat of a black sheep in her school. I definitely had similar feelings in school as a working class outsider. I thought the piece was something different and upbeat and showed me playing more of a comedic piece which is a genre I’d love to go into! I found the scene on BBC Writers Room though it never actually made the cut within the episode. I liked this about it as it gave me more room to play and interpret lines differently to how they might’ve been performed.
What book, theatre, film or TV production has most inspired you?
I really love theatre that incorporates music, a show I saw last year that really stuck with me and that I went to see 3 times before it closed was Girl From the North Country, the level of talent was phenomenal, as was the writing and directing by Conor McPherson and casting by Jessica Ronane. It’s one that really resonated with me as the acting, music and singing were all just incredible! Aside from that, I grew up watching things on TV like Only Fools & Horses, Black Adder and The Catherine Tate Show, so people like David Jason and Catherine Tate have been firm favourites of mine for as long as I can remember. That’s probably why I have such a love for comedy.
How have you been keeping creative during lockdown?
I spent lockdown back home in Wales which was lovely. I really tried to use the time to focus on myself and my health and well-being so I’d go on long long walks every day with my dog Bailey, listen to podcasts that would keep me inspired and motivated. I also gave writing a bash and actually found that I quite enjoyed writing my own spoken word pieces for some personal escapism, so have now made my own little repertoire of short pieces. I used my social media to stay connected and look for any and all online workshops / readings that were available, one I loved was the organisation The Far Away Plays, a theatre company championing voices of Wales set up by Scott Arthur and Francesca Goodridge (definitely not biased).
What advice would you give for anyone else preparing for a showcase?
I’d say go with your gut. You should pick a piece that really resonates with you, one that you couldn’t get bored of and can really get your teeth stuck into. Challenge yourself, take risks, be bold. But ultimately go with your gut and be true to yourself and the character. It’s a brilliant opportunity to choose whatever piece you could dream of performing so take advantage of that. I’d also say to remain playful and not get yourself stuck in any one way of performing since every time you perform the piece, different things will reveal themselves to you. Enjoy that! And enjoy the performance! Have fun!!!
What do you hope to be doing this time next year?
I hope to be working, having a bloody brilliant time doing what I love professionally. What more could you want. If we’re talking specifics, I’d love to have a cracking role in a new BBC comedy series, be midway through recording a BBC Wales radio play, workshopping a new play with the National Theatre studio. I love Southwark Playhouse and the Bridge Theatre as performance spaces so wouldn’t mind having originated a role in a piece of new writing there! Or even getting my own writing out there too! I hope to do it all.