Scottish BAFTA award winner Louise McCarthy is an all-singing, all-dancing actor and writer who has wowed in the West End; trodden the boards in productions at the National Theatre in Scotland and elsewhere; appeared on CBBC, BBC and ITV; and even popped up in The Witch’s Bogey! We are delighted that she is sharing her insights, top tips and mantras on focussing, adapting, and being bold!
Gil Darnell began acting with roles in Brookside, Hollyoaks, and Holby City before moving to Los Angeles. He credits the Ketel One ad campaign for transforming his career as he went on to star in other TV ads, including the Super Bowl ad of 2011 for Audi. His feature films include a cheeky role in Redirected alongside Vinnie Jones, and The Ghost Who Walks. You may have seen him on TV in the period drama Reign, the drama series Bones, or playing Hitler in Supernatural. One of life’s good guys, Gil has taken the time to share his story with us and offer some valuable advice to his fellow actors.
Christopher Cazenove worked extensively in film, television and on stage across the world, and was one of Britain’s finest, and most in demand, actors. His stage roles included main parts in Hamlet, Othello, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady. On TV he was famed for his role as Ben Carrington in Dynasty, as well as starring in films Eye of the Needle, Heat and Dust, and A Knight’s Tale, among others. Asked if he preferred acting on stage, TV or film, he replied: “I like a combination of all three. If I had to choose one alone, I’d choose films, provided they were all in lovely places. I’ve been very lucky in the films that I’ve done”. We are delighted to share Christopher’s words with you.
Tony Vincent is one of the biggest stars in musical theatre today having taken West End and Broadway leads in We Will Rock You, Jesus Christ Superstar and Rent
We are thrilled to have Tony join our masterclass program.
Here he answers questions posed by members about a career in musical theatre.
After a lifetime in the industry, Olivier Award winning actor, writer and comedian Roy Hudd is quite simply a national treasure. His work in film, television, comedy and theatre is so extensive that only a brief summary is possible. He will however be known to many of you as Archie Shuttleworth in Coronation Street and for his portrayal of the spoonerism afflicted character Ben Baglin in Dennis Potter’s two television mini series Karaoke and Cold Lazarus.
Here he offers some advice on how to enjoy a long career.
Drew Mulligan Graduated from RADA in 1999 where he played Hamlet in his final year directed by William Gaskill. Since then he has starred in Peter Greenaway’s trilogy of films titled The Tulse Luper Suitcases, worked with Declan Donnellan in Antigone at the Old Vic, spent several seasons at the RSC and National Theatre and performed in venues across the UK. He is currently Head of Acting at The Institute of the Arts, Barcelona.
Here is his advice for the aspiring actor.
Izzy Mant is a producer of television scripted comedy, as well as a writer and comedian. As a producer her credits include GameFace (2017) (2019), Cuckoo (2012), starring Andie Macdowell (2019), The Windsors (2016) (2016-2017), and Peep Show (2003) (2008)
Here she passes on some tips for working in radio.
George Stiles is a renowned composer of stage musicals, probably best known for his collaborative work with the lyricist Anthony Drewe. Between them they have won numerous awards and written six musicals including Honk!, Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure, and Just So which has been optioned by Steven Spielberg for feature animation. George’s other work includes the shows Tom Jones, Moll Flanders, and The Three Musketeers, as well as music for Sam Mendes’ award-winning Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya at the Donmar Warehouse. We spoke to George in the middle of a busy schedule and he gave us his advice and insight on how to write music for plays.
P-A Turner was the managing director and senior agent for the West End agency Principal Artistes. She has been in the entertainment business for 35 years in a career that has spanned the globe and included successful spells as an actress, casting director, personal assistant and producer.
We are very lucky to have P-A as a columnist and must thank her for sparing time to write for us when Principal Artistes books are full and the agency is at its very busiest.
Susie Amy was born in London in 1981, and brought up in Surrey. Although she always studied drama, she went to a regular academic school all her life. Her career began when an agent spotted her in 1999 while she was doing the play After Juliet by Sharman McDonald at the National Theatre in London. Over the next two years she got parts in Sirens, The Swap, My Family and the sitcom Sam’s Game.
She became a household name in 2001 when she was chosen to play Chardonnay Lane in the ITV drama Footballers’ Wives.
Since then she has recorded a second series of Footballers Wives and in 2002 was chosen for the lead role of Valentine D’Artagnan in the Hallmark Production La Femme Musketeer, starring alongside Michael York, Gerard Depardieu and Nastassja Kinski. Susie has also appeared in Hollyoaks and the films Modigliani and House of 9.