What is your occupation?
I am an actor and singer.
Where did you study/train?
I attended a local dance school: The Ivy Travers Dance School near Stamford Hill. I performed in my first show at Bow Civic Centre with Ivy's troupe aged six, and loved it from the off. I went to Anna Scher Theatre School from 14 to 18 and had a brief stint in the Saturday Singing Classes with Roy at Italia Conti.
What's been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I was in Kwik Save shopping with my mum and heard a little voice behind me saying ‘Boo! Mummy, Boo!’ His mum said ‘Don't be silly Baby’ but he insisted ‘Boo! Boo!’ I turned around and told his mum he was right. He had recognised my voice from an animation series. We had a lovely chat and sang a couple of songs from the show.
And receiving an Olivier Award for The Amen Corner. My parents attended my first awards ceremony with me in 1995 and my father passed away a few months after: I was so happy that my mum was able to share that joy with me, and I could thank them for all their support and belief.
What did you think of the drama lessons you received at secondary school?
To be honest I didn't have any drama lessons at school. It wasn't on the curriculum, I remember my music lessons, although I never mastered the recorder or the violin!
What do you think about the state of drama education today?
Schools are struggling because the government is not putting creative education at the top of their agenda, which is really what's going to give us the young minds that we need for the future. Because of the cuts, and the pressures of constant testing, there's less and less room for a creative curriculum, and I think a lot of teachers are feeling marginalised by that. But there are some amazing teachers out there who are fighting their corner.
What would you say to a young person considering a career in drama?
It's about the craft, not fame. You have to love the work, want to be challenged and stretched, so you grow as an artist. You have to be proactive: I had The Stage newspaper and word of mouth. Now there's the internet, you can find all sorts of places for training, education and experience. Get out there and find it. I also recommend that you get a job ushering: you can use it as a free masterclass, picking a different actor each night to see how they perform. Are they generous, playful, set in their performance, what draws you in, what don't you like about their performance. How do they react with different audiences’ energies. You can learn so much by watching, and you'll be earning a little money.
I love my job, and feel blessed daily that I'm doing what I love. If that's how you feel, GO FOR IT!
What's next for you?
In May I'll be playing Linda Loman in Death Of A Salesman at the Young Vic which will be directed by Marianne Elliott. It's one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. I'm very excited to be part of the production. Followed by Blues In The Night at the Kiln Theatre directed by Susie McKenna. It couldn't be more different from Death of a Salesman. It's Jazz and Blues, all singing & dancing. Blues was my first understudy job back in 1987, so it's brilliant to be revisiting it again. Directed by my wife, at my friend Indhu's beautiful newly refurbished theatre. Life is good!
What impact do you hope that your work has on young people?
I like work that holds a mirror up to society and makes people think & emote.
When we opened Caroline Or Change in Chichester, it was the week of the Charlottesville neo-Nazi madness. Performing in a slice of history that is oh so current and relevant, and opens up peoples minds to other people's lives is a real buzz. I hope that young people see that you can have a dream and make it a reality. I haven't been to RADA or Guildford etc, I'm from a working class family from Tottenham. I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and beautiful people in my life because of my passion for the industry.
Caroline or Change is at the Playhouse Theatre in London: for more information and to buy tickets, go to https://carolineorchange.co.uk