Sara Jane Derrick makes a welcome return to Mercury Theatre

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

I was given the role of Gingerbread man at primary school when I was 8, primarily I think because I had a loud voice. I then attended Colchester Youth Theatre on a Saturday while my parents did the shopping but the show that gave me the acting bug was a production of the Wizard of Oz at The Mercury when I was about ten years old which was spell binding.

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

I am the only one, although many of my mothers side of the family are musical. My dad had to chose between cricket or drama as an interest at university - he chose cricket. My mother said she only once stood on stage to sing as a child and was so terrified she almost wet herself.

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

Anita Pacione (sadly no longer with us)who used to run courses and classes at The Colchester Art Centre. She made us think, challenged us to develop our acting craft in a way I had never done before. Her advice was invaluable.

What formal training have you done?

I trained for three years at The Birmingham school of Acting and it was one of the best three years of my life, doing something I loved every day .After I finished my training I spent many years touring with shows living out of a suitcase using Birmingham as my base. I have visited most of the No1 touring venues in the UK and seen some of the best and worse theatrical digs.

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

Highlights of my career include plays for BBC Radio Drama in London after being a finalist and runner up in the Carleton Hobbs Radio Drama competition. Then in my late 20s I worked in classics such as The Turn of The Screw, Dear Octopus and Room with a View. I spent the summer of 2007 playing Viola in Twelfth Night at outdoor venues, ending with a week at The Minack Theatre Cornwall, being upstaged by dolphins! I have recently got back on my acting horse after having a family thanks to the Mercury Early Years Careers Programme and had a wonderful experience playing Beatrice in Protocol’s A View from the Bridge.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

My most embarrassing moment on stage was having to play the entire act of a show with a coat hanger embedded in my costume. Try as I might it would not budge from the lacework so I had to ignore it in the end. Very distracting for my fellow actors.

What role would you most like to play and why?

I quite often get cast in comedy roles or fragile creatures but would love the chance to play something dark and sinister and strong. I always wanted to play Laura in The Glass Menagerie when I was younger but never got the chance. Now I am older I would love to play Amanda Wingfield in the same show and Mrs Alving in Ghosts.

Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?

I very much enjoy the rehearsal process and have fun but work hard too.Often in rehearsals I have corpsed beyond help but thankfully only in rehearsals.

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

I would say my versatility is my strength having played Shakespeare to Enid Blyton. Posh frocks to fluffy ducks. I am also a storyteller both for children and adults and tell at schools, libraries, festivals and pubs.

Any big plans for the future?

My plans for the future include utilizing my new contacts and making theatre with all the local talent here in Colchester. I have just started rehearsals for Shedding Skin written by Paul T Davies and last Year I had a chance to do stand-up in The Bull pub. I would love to do that again.

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

My first touring job was as an acting /asm/understudy. I had a role in the play, helped backstage and understudied half the cast. With often limited understudy rehearsal before the first night be sure you do your homework. I had to go on for the second show because of food poisoning in the cast in front of a full house at Wimbledon Theatre. Very scary but great fun!