CHARLOTTE Luxford is currently appearing in the Mercury Young Company's stunning production of Romeo and Juliet, which runs at St Martin's Church, Colchester, until Sunday.

She is also currently rehearsing for Colchester's TWAS Theatre Company's production of As You Like It, which as well as Halstead Empire and Witham Public Hall also has a run at the West Stockwell Street church from September 29 to October 1.

For more information on Romeo and Juliet go on-line at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk and for As You Like It check out www.twastheatre.co.uk

What or who got you interested theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?

I started taking part in youth theatre around the age of eight when a teacher at school suggested I get involved to boost my confidence. I loved it and haven't looked back since. I continued to get involved in school plays. My interest for it was fuelled by teachers at school (predominantly my drama teacher, Mr Thomson). It ranged from my first school production as Cinderella through to being fortunate enough to play Lady Macbeth in college. I then went on to study a drama degree at university, also taking part in fringe theatre festivals during the summer breaks.

Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in the theatre?

No one that I know of has been involved in the theatre in my family. (A question I'm often asked is 'where does it come from?' and I honestly can't answer!) There's still hope for the future, though.

Who is the most inspiring person you’ve worked with and why?

I worked with the fantastic actor Darren Kent a few years ago and was struck by his ability to completely understand a character inside and out, also the fact that he is always uplifting, genuine and encouraging makes him a joy to work with.

What formal training have you done?

I went to Kingston University to study a degree in drama which spanned a broad range of aspects of theatre, from Shakespeare to devising theatre, tragedy, Commedia dell'Arte and performing cabaret.

Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?

I don't have any specialist skills that I tend to use in my work - nothing obscure at least (although stilt walking and dress making might be on my list to try someday - perhaps both at the same time.) But I do a fair bit of landscape painting. Maybe there's a role out there that involves landscape art.

Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your career to date?

Although it's not a theatrical role, so far a highlight has been the role I played in a film called The Voice in the Head. It was very challenging as aside from a voiceover there was no dialogue. The film has since been doing very well on the festival circuit and is due for public release later this year.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

When I was about 15, I played Cinderella in a pantomime and my dress was very billowy for the ball scene. Everyone was waiting for that moment she steps out into the palace ballroom and I got my dress caught on the set. I broke off a chunk of set and ripped my dress (which someone had spent hours making) and lolloped into the scene less gracefully than was expected.

Which actor (s) performer (s) do you most admire and why?

There are quite a few but I've got a lot of admiration for Meryl Streep. She manages to completely transcend and take on any character with complete honesty and integrity even when the character is almost grotesque.

What role would you most like to play and why?

I'm not sure if there's a specific role yet, but to play a real historical person would be something I'd like to try. There's a certain responsibility to get it right - both in terms of character and the story they have to tell - when the person actually exists/existed. I think that would be something I'd like to explore.

Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?

During my final performance at university- a devised satirical show about Generation Y (or, the "Millennials") - we included an audience participation scene in which we asked someone to name an object they'd find on their desk. I can't say what an audience member responded with, but it was extremely inappropriate and caused a lot of laughing on stage.

Any big plans for the future?

Hopefully! I'd like to continue working in good projects - theatre and film and hopefully television at some stage. I have a couple of projects in the pipeline which I'm gradually beginning work on. Watch this space!

Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to other actors/directors?

I don't think I have a trick for remembering lines. Repeat them until you remember them, but everyone has their own way of learning things. Once you get the important part of knowing who your character is, why they're there and what they want, the lines start to come naturally. Fundamentally, keep listening - you'll know how to respond with the correct line if you truly understand what has just been said to you.