How are you finding your stage debut at Finborough Theatre?
Absolutely fantastic. As an actor, it’s such a great feeling when you receive a phone call from your agent saying you’ve got the job, especially when it’s at a reputable venue such as the Finborough! Working there has been an incredible and deeply rewarding experience.
It’s an intimate space with the lights on the audience—have you experienced any distractions?
It is an intimate space and having the play set in the round means that the audience is practically in the living room with you—which needed some getting used to. However, our director Oscar Toeman wanted that effect; to have the audience live and breathe in the space with these characters in order to create a unique experience of the show.
I’ve never really found it to be distracting though as I try to never look at the audience and instead focus on my scene partner. Having said that, there was one show during which an audience member ended up passing out mid-show! Luckily we had our assistant director (who’s a qualified first aider) in the audience that night and she dealt with the situation exceptionally well. Those of us on stage just had to power on through the scene while several audience members crossed the stage to help the man—that experience will probably stick with me for a long time!
Do you suffer from stage fright?
I wouldn’t say I suffer from stage fright but I do get nervous—especially on opening night. I’ll be in the wings about to go on and my heart feels like it’s about to drum out of my chest.
I think most actors get nervous—it’s all part of that adrenaline rush. But in my opinion, nerves can be incredibly useful as there are ways to channel the nerves into positive energy. Breathing is key.
How do you prepare for a role?
Each role is different so I try to incorporate a different approach when preparing for each of my characters. For my current role, it was vital that I had a good understanding of what life would have been like in the 1930s, and so a lot of research and detective work was done to better understand the world of my character.
Having said that, there are certain steps that I take when finding who these people are. What really helps me, for example, is setting myself character questions. I have over 80 character questions that I have to answer which helps me create a more complete persona. These questions range from the character’s history and his present circumstances to his future. Then I move on to discovering and working on my character’s vocal and physical qualities.
Do you have a warm-up routine before your performance?
Yes, I like to get into the theatre space early and just warm up my voice and body. I try and keep it varied from night to night but I usually start in semi-supine and just breathe for five minutes. Then there are a few brilliant breathing and voice exercises that I picked up in drama school and have stuck with me ever since. Music and yoga are also brilliant!
You also wrote the short Medium of Exchange. Which do you prefer—writing or acting?
I love acting but when I’m not acting I like to keep myself in a creative space and writing has helped me do that.
Looking back at Medium Of Exchange there’s a lot of it that I would change. It was my first ever screenplay that I wrote and although I am proud of it, there are some bits that make me want to face-palm myself. It’s a bit like Timehop. So I think the more you write the better you become.
What inspires your writing?
It’s hard to pinpoint what it is that inspires you because I think people draw from a lot of different inspirations. I always write about what I know and whenever I do write I have to be passionate about the story I want to tell. Obviously, I also take inspiration from other writers. I think it’s useful to draw from people who are far better at writing than you as it can give you ambition and drive to push yourself.
You’re based in Chiswick—what made you choose that ‘hood’?
I lived here during my first two years at drama school so I know Chiswick really well and have a lot of friends living here thanks to ArtsEd. So when the chance came for me to live back in Chiswick for the show, I jumped at the opportunity.
What’s your local?
The Tabard. It has a nice little theatre upstairs and it’s just a great, warm, friendly pub where we ArtsEd students used to wind down after a busy week at drama school.
What’s your tipple?
Lager—I have to say that though seeing as I am from the land of chocolate, waffles and beer [Belgium].
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
My mum always sends me sound advice whenever I am in need of it and it usually consists of ‘relax, enjoy and be yourself.’
How do you switch off after a performance?
Usually with a glass of red wine or a nice cold beer in the bar with my cast mates.
What’s your favourite London building?
It’s not a building, but there’s a beautiful bridge in Chiswick House and Gardens and it’s quite possibly my favourite place in London.
What’s your philosophy on life?
Maximise happiness—I’m a bit of a utilitarian.
What’s next?
I’ll be going back home to Belgium for Christmas and with a bit more free time on my hands, I plan on get my teeth stuck into writing my first play.
