News & Advice

News & Advice

Resources for Actors Recent Work All

Rob Mallard Interview: On Set For Coronation Street

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5th August 2020

Rob Mallard is best known for his role as Daniel in Coronation Street which he began in 2016 and continues to play as a regular, much-loved character on the soap. In 2017, Rob was awarded Best Newcomer at The British Soap Awards, and following a harrowing but poignant cancer storyline at the end of last year that centred around Rob and his on-screen wife, Sinead (Katie McGlynn), Coronation Street has received a BAFTA nomination for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of the year.

#PlanetMonologues – The Actors Planet Monologue Competition

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27th April 2020

The Actors Planet is a support network for actors and creatives that I set up in 2018 with my partner, actor Katie Burchett. In these challenging times, we have teamed up with some of the top casting directors, directors and industry professionals to create #PlanetMonologues - a monologue competition with great prizes and fabulous judges.

Laura Neal

Laura Neal Interview: From Secret Diary of a Call Girl to Killing Eve

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12th April 2020

Laura Neal is a British writer whose TV credits include Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Tiger Aspect/ITV2), My Mad Fat Diary (Drama Republic/C4) and Tatau (Touchpaper/BBC). She has also written multiple episodes for Netflix projects including the Idris Elba series Turn Up Charlie and the international hit Sex Education. She has written on the third series of Killing Eve (Sid Gentle/BBC) and has recently been announced as the lead writer and an executive producer for season four. I chat with her about the TV industry.

Donnacadh O'Briain

Olivier Award-winning Director, Donnacadh O’Briain: “The Drama is Always First for Me”

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7th February 2020

Donnacadh O'Briain is an Olivier Award-winning director whose productions have played at The Royal Shakespeare Company, in the West End, and internationally. In 2017 his production of Rotterdam received an Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre and went on to play at The Arts Theatre (West End) before embarking on a UK tour.

Six The Musical

Shekinah McFarlane on Her Life, Career and Six The Musical

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5th December 2019

Shekinah's previous credits include American Idiot (UK Tour), Hair & Hair50 (Hope Mill Theatre - Vaults Theatre), The Lion King (Disney Theatrical, UK and International Tour) and most recently, her West End run of the smash-hit musical Six which she's currently taking on its UK tour. Despite her jam-packed schedule, she made time to chat and answer a few of my questions.

How to Utilise Social Media: A Guide for Actors and Creatives

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21st June 2019

The performing arts industry is changing. More and more casting directors, directors, agents and theatres use social media as a vehicle for their latest project, and I’m not just talking about student films and profit shares. Major castings are regularly opened up to the twittersphere. It’s never been more important for actors to have an online presence and if utilised correctly, social media can be an incredibly powerful tool. But where to start?

Riad Richie on His Season with the RSC

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21st February 2019

Riad Richie debuted at the RSC for their 2018-19 season, performing in Tamburlaine (Michael Boyd), Timon of Athens (Simon Godwin) and Tartuffe (Iqbal Khan). As he now enters the final week of the season and looks ahead to the future, he is certainly an actor I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of. I sat down with him to reflect on his time with the RSC.

Drama School Auditions

A Modern Guide to Auditioning for Drama School

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3rd June 2018

When I auditioned for drama school I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Retrospectively, I can identify the choices I made that led to me being accepted, however, I can't quite remember which of those choices were intentional, instinctual, or just good luck. Since then I've spent many years working as an actor, director and coach, and now have experience on both sides of the panel. What I've realised is...

Nikolai Foster

Acting Notes from Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster

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16th July 2017

As well as being the artistic director of Leicester's Curve, Nikolai Foster has directed countless acclaimed productions at leading theatres all over the UK. I asked Nikolai whether he'd share a few notes from the rehearsal room and give me an insight into his work. He kindly agreed to answer my questions.

Delivery – A Short Film by Kieran Vyas

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11th July 2020

During lockdown, my partner (actor Katie Burchett) and I put our energy into a writing and producing a short film. We ended up creating 'Delivery' - a short comedy skit in which Katie plays both of the two leading roles. We submitted 'Delivery' to a variety of film festivals and were delighted to be selected for several.

#PlanetMonologues – The Actors Planet Monologue Competition

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27th April 2020

The Actors Planet is a support network for actors and creatives that I set up in 2018 with my partner, actor Katie Burchett. In these challenging times, we have teamed up with some of the top casting directors, directors and industry professionals to create #PlanetMonologues - a monologue competition with great prizes and fabulous judges.

Mercury Theatre & Josef Weinberger Ltd Monologue Competition

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18th April 2020

I am absolutely delighted to win the Mercury Theatre & Josef Weinberger Ltd monologue competition with my monologue 'To Call a Wolf'. It was performed by Jonathan Livingstone (Death in Paradise, 2011; Treasure Island, 2015; and The Witches, 2020) and you can watch his performance below.

Free Online 1-to-1s For Drama School Applicants

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22nd March 2020

I'm heartbroken for the arts industry as a whole who are suffering greatly during this time. In an attempt to offer what little support I can I am offering FREE online 1:1s to a limited number of drama school applicants every week. This will be an opportunity to workshop a monologue, receive feedback and advice and prepare for your audition during this time of quarantine.

ALRA North – Acting for Camera

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18th October 2019

It's easy to become passionate about people when you begin to study human behaviour. There's a fire in the eyes, radiance in the smile and an energy that fills the room when we, as humans, are truly at ease and impassioned. We all have these qualities; they are natural, effortless and beautiful, but they also have a habit of evaporating the moment we start to act or sense the camera.

Katie Burchett (To Be Seen 2019)

“To Be Seen” by Kieran Vyas and Katie Burchett

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1st April 2019

This week we'll be performing an extract from our brand new solo show at Nottingham Playhouse for their Amp Night. In a bleak, futuristic world, people rely on their online presence in order to survive. As daily news vlogger Luna fails to engage an audience the pressure to be good enough, pretty enough, funny enough, begins to take its toll and distorts her perception of reality...

BA (Hons) Acting – Leicester College & ALRA

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7th February 2019

Being born and bred in Leicester, I was delighted to hear that ALRA was collaborating with Leicester College and De Montfort University to bring a new BA (Hons) Acting course to my home town. The school invited me in to deliver acting classes to the first year of students as part of the curriculum...

The Good Companion

BBC Radio Leicester’s Asian Life Festival

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16th September 2018

Celebrating five decades of Asian life in Leicester through food, arts and culture, BBC Radio Leicester’s Asian Life Festival explored all aspects of the journey so far that have made Leicester the incredible city it is today. Part of the festival was 'The Good Companion', a skit written by Divya Ghelani, which I had the pleasure of directing.

King Richard's Cyber Horse

‘King Richard’s Cyber Horse’ by Sara Bodinar

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29th August 2018

This autumn I'll be directing 'King Richard's Cyber Horse', a brand new play by award-winning writer Sara Bodinar. The play was commissioned by Urban Young Actors especially for their end of year show and centres around a virtual reality game in an apocalyptic future. Rehearsals begin in September and the production goes up on 23rd November.

Rob Mallard Interview: On Set For Coronation Street

/

5th August 2020

Rob Mallard is best known for his role as Daniel in Coronation Street which he began in 2016 and continues to play as a regular, much-loved character on the soap. In 2017, Rob was awarded Best Newcomer at The British Soap Awards, and following a harrowing but poignant cancer storyline at the end of last year that centred around Rob and his on-screen wife, Sinead (Katie McGlynn), Coronation Street has received a BAFTA nomination for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of the year.

Delivery – A Short Film by Kieran Vyas

/

11th July 2020

During lockdown, my partner (actor Katie Burchett) and I put our energy into a writing and producing a short film. We ended up creating 'Delivery' - a short comedy skit in which Katie plays both of the two leading roles. We submitted 'Delivery' to a variety of film festivals and were delighted to be selected for several.

#PlanetMonologues – The Actors Planet Monologue Competition

/

27th April 2020

The Actors Planet is a support network for actors and creatives that I set up in 2018 with my partner, actor Katie Burchett. In these challenging times, we have teamed up with some of the top casting directors, directors and industry professionals to create #PlanetMonologues - a monologue competition with great prizes and fabulous judges.

Mercury Theatre & Josef Weinberger Ltd Monologue Competition

/

18th April 2020

I am absolutely delighted to win the Mercury Theatre & Josef Weinberger Ltd monologue competition with my monologue 'To Call a Wolf'. It was performed by Jonathan Livingstone (Death in Paradise, 2011; Treasure Island, 2015; and The Witches, 2020) and you can watch his performance below.

Laura Neal

Laura Neal Interview: From Secret Diary of a Call Girl to Killing Eve

/

12th April 2020

Laura Neal is a British writer whose TV credits include Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Tiger Aspect/ITV2), My Mad Fat Diary (Drama Republic/C4) and Tatau (Touchpaper/BBC). She has also written multiple episodes for Netflix projects including the Idris Elba series Turn Up Charlie and the international hit Sex Education. She has written on the third series of Killing Eve (Sid Gentle/BBC) and has recently been announced as the lead writer and an executive producer for season four. I chat with her about the TV industry.

Free Online 1-to-1s For Drama School Applicants

/

22nd March 2020

I'm heartbroken for the arts industry as a whole who are suffering greatly during this time. In an attempt to offer what little support I can I am offering FREE online 1:1s to a limited number of drama school applicants every week. This will be an opportunity to workshop a monologue, receive feedback and advice and prepare for your audition during this time of quarantine.

Donnacadh O'Briain

Olivier Award-winning Director, Donnacadh O’Briain: “The Drama is Always First for Me”

/

7th February 2020

Donnacadh O'Briain is an Olivier Award-winning director whose productions have played at The Royal Shakespeare Company, in the West End, and internationally. In 2017 his production of Rotterdam received an Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre and went on to play at The Arts Theatre (West End) before embarking on a UK tour.

Six The Musical

Shekinah McFarlane on Her Life, Career and Six The Musical

/

5th December 2019

Shekinah's previous credits include American Idiot (UK Tour), Hair & Hair50 (Hope Mill Theatre - Vaults Theatre), The Lion King (Disney Theatrical, UK and International Tour) and most recently, her West End run of the smash-hit musical Six which she's currently taking on its UK tour. Despite her jam-packed schedule, she made time to chat and answer a few of my questions.

ALRA North – Acting for Camera

/

18th October 2019

It's easy to become passionate about people when you begin to study human behaviour. There's a fire in the eyes, radiance in the smile and an energy that fills the room when we, as humans, are truly at ease and impassioned. We all have these qualities; they are natural, effortless and beautiful, but they also have a habit of evaporating the moment we start to act or sense the camera.

RESOURCES FOR ACTORS

Rob Mallard Interview: On Set For Coronation Street

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5th August 2020

Rob Mallard is best known for his role as Daniel in Coronation Street which he began in 2016 and continues to play as a regular, much-loved character on the soap. In 2017, Rob was awarded Best Newcomer at The British Soap Awards, and following a harrowing but poignant cancer storyline at the end of last year that centred around Rob and his on-screen wife, Sinead (Katie McGlynn), Coronation Street has received a BAFTA nomination for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment of the year.

#PlanetMonologues – The Actors Planet Monologue Competition

/

27th April 2020

The Actors Planet is a support network for actors and creatives that I set up in 2018 with my partner, actor Katie Burchett. In these challenging times, we have teamed up with some of the top casting directors, directors and industry professionals to create #PlanetMonologues - a monologue competition with great prizes and fabulous judges.

Laura Neal

Laura Neal Interview: From Secret Diary of a Call Girl to Killing Eve

/

12th April 2020

Laura Neal is a British writer whose TV credits include Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Tiger Aspect/ITV2), My Mad Fat Diary (Drama Republic/C4) and Tatau (Touchpaper/BBC). She has also written multiple episodes for Netflix projects including the Idris Elba series Turn Up Charlie and the international hit Sex Education. She has written on the third series of Killing Eve (Sid Gentle/BBC) and has recently been announced as the lead writer and an executive producer for season four. I chat with her about the TV industry.

Donnacadh O'Briain

Olivier Award-winning Director, Donnacadh O’Briain: “The Drama is Always First for Me”

/

7th February 2020

Donnacadh O'Briain is an Olivier Award-winning director whose productions have played at The Royal Shakespeare Company, in the West End, and internationally. In 2017 his production of Rotterdam received an Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre and went on to play at The Arts Theatre (West End) before embarking on a UK tour.

RECENT WORK

Delivery – A Short Film by Kieran Vyas

/

11th July 2020

During lockdown, my partner (actor Katie Burchett) and I put our energy into a writing and producing a short film. We ended up creating 'Delivery' - a short comedy skit in which Katie plays both of the two leading roles. We submitted 'Delivery' to a variety of film festivals and were delighted to be selected for several.

#PlanetMonologues – The Actors Planet Monologue Competition

/

27th April 2020

The Actors Planet is a support network for actors and creatives that I set up in 2018 with my partner, actor Katie Burchett. In these challenging times, we have teamed up with some of the top casting directors, directors and industry professionals to create #PlanetMonologues - a monologue competition with great prizes and fabulous judges.

Mercury Theatre & Josef Weinberger Ltd Monologue Competition

/

18th April 2020

I am absolutely delighted to win the Mercury Theatre & Josef Weinberger Ltd monologue competition with my monologue 'To Call a Wolf'. It was performed by Jonathan Livingstone (Death in Paradise, 2011; Treasure Island, 2015; and The Witches, 2020) and you can watch his performance below.

Free Online 1-to-1s For Drama School Applicants

/

22nd March 2020

I'm heartbroken for the arts industry as a whole who are suffering greatly during this time. In an attempt to offer what little support I can I am offering FREE online 1:1s to a limited number of drama school applicants every week. This will be an opportunity to workshop a monologue, receive feedback and advice and prepare for your audition during this time of quarantine.