GARETH Gwyn-Jones has been a regular on the local community theatre scene for many years, appearing with the likes of Platform Plays and Musicals as well as the Colchester Operatic Society.

His latest theatrical adventure is in the cast of Under Milk Wood at the Headgate Theatre, which runs until

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

Both my parents were involved in theatre and when I was about five or six I was involved in a production of Oliver. I also did a couple of shows for Billericay Operatic Society around that time. I loved the thrill of going on stage and being around singing and music. I then stopped doing anything for a number of years but got involved again at about 16. Since getting back involved I have been fortunate to be in productions for various dramatic groups including Brightlingsea Operatic Group, The Seaview Players, Colchester Operatic Society, Witham Operatic Society and Platform.

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

As mentioned above, both my Mum and Dad were involved with theatre. My Mum has been involved with a few different amateur dramatic societies down the years. My Dad actually acted and sung professionally for a number of years before I was born, but then went on to teach music and singing, so we always had a very musical home. Something I have tried to keep going with my two young children. I also met my wife through Colchester Operatic Society so I have a lot to thank the theatre for.

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

I suppose if I had to single out anyone specific then Jacque Collyer-Smith springs to mind. When I got back involved with theatre at 16 I was in a number of her productions in Brightlingsea and she had so many great ideas for how to put on great productions and was really encouraging of younger actors. More recently I have been very grateful to be involved in a number of shows with Andrew Hodgson. His experience and knowledge of the stage is so impressive and again he has a great vision and manages to get the best out of people by being so supportive and creating such a friendly atmosphere.

What formal training have you done?

I have had no formal training but I have been lucky enough to work with some fantastic directors and musical directors who have taught me a lot.

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

I can’t say I have any specialist skills to speak of. I can just about get through a dance routine (many choreographers may disagree) and I’ve got a pretty strong singing voice (which my wife kindly describes as loud) I can play the guitar, which I have done in a couple of concerts before.

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

I have been lucky enough to play quite a few great roles – from Doolittle in My Fair Lady at school, Curly in Oklahoma twice, Sky in Guys and Dolls, Macbeth. But I think the two that spring to mind as real highlights are getting an NETG best actor nomination for Timothy in Salad Days and again for playing Chuck Baxter in Promises Promises. The role of Chuck was really challenging as he was rarely off stage and had a load of songs to sing.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

Being dressed as a baby in a panto was fairly embarrassing as was being the only adult in a dance routine with a load of kids, also in panto. In my earlier days of going on stage I forgot my lines a fair few times. At the time I was mortified and wanted the stage to swallow me up. On one particular performance I could not hear the prompt and they kept mumbling something or other to a point when I had to just walk over and say “What?”

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

On the big screen I love Denzel Washington. I think in every role he plays he comes across as so sincere and in interviews he seems like a pretty nice bloke too. I am also a big fan of comedy actors – Bill Murray and Gene Wilder are two greats that always have me in stitches. On the local scene, Graham Bowden is always awesome in everything he does.

What role would you most like to play and why?

I would absolutely love to play Javert in Les Miserables. It is such a fantastic musical and something that I have grown up with and seen a number of times. Javert is such a great part that has lots of strong songs and pieces throughout the show. I have sung “Stars” a few times in concerts and loved it.

Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?

I do recall one specific incident a fair while ago when I was in a piece and only had one line. I came on stage for my bit fluffed the start of the line and instead of composing myself and starting again for some reason I whistled, blew a raspberry and then just about said the rest of the line. This resulted in everyone on stage including myself cracking up laughing. Thankfully the audience all joined in so my very small and forgettable bit became quite memorable.

Any big plans for the future?

I have had a pretty good run for a while now in terms of doing shows in the last few years and have had a very understanding wife, Shelley, who has let me do so even with a couple of young children. I think it is time for me to step back a bit so Shelley can get back involved, so I have nothing coming up after Under Milk Wood. One exciting thing that we are doing though is introducing our eldest daughter, who is five, to the stage and she will be doing a show soon with Theatricool. I would happily take a back seat in performing to let my kids get involved in the theatre or any other pass-time they enjoy, so that is something I am looking forward to. But I certainly hope to be back on stage soon.

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

I always find that it is easier to learn lines by not trying to learn them too soon after you have seen the script. I always like to get a good few rehearsals under the belt first, so when I do sit down to actually trying to learn them some of them are kind of there already so it does not take quite so long to learn.