Jonathon Cobb is just one of the ensemble cast appearing in the Mercury Theatre’s summer family show for 2018, Babe, the Sheep-Pig. It runs at the Colchester theatre from next Friday, July 27, until August 26 from Wednesday to Sunday. For times, or to book tickets, call the box office on 01206 573948 or go on-line at mercurytheatre.co.uk

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

When I was at secondary school, I was lucky enough to get a small part in a production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ with Changeling Theatre, which toured open air venues around Kent. It gave me the chance to work alongside some brilliant professional actors and it was through watching and learning from them in rehearsals and shows that I fell in love with acting and wanted to pursue it myself. Huge thanks to the friend who convinced me to audition and of course my Nan who told me to get involved with drama in the first place.

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

My Father used to perform in school plays when he was younger and I have actually recently performed in the same jacket he wore when playing Toad of Toad Hall when he was a teenager.

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

I recently worked with Julian Bleach (who you may know as Davros in Doctor Who). Every single rehearsal he had the whole cast in stitches each time he performed a scene. It didn’t matter how many times we had seen it, it was still funny. It’s very rare to see a comic performer create the same level of genius and humour every time they say the lines. It was amazing to watch and certainly something I admired.

What formal training have you done?

I trained as an actor at Drama Studio London and previously to this I obtained a first class degree in Drama from the University of East Anglia.

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

I recently performed in the new musical ‘The Grinning Man’ in the West End and I think I speak for the whole cast when I say we couldn’t be prouder of what was created in that show. It allowed me the chance to work with an incredibly talented group of individuals and it felt an honour to be a part of a show in the West End.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

I was once in a farce set in a golf club, in which the whole plot required me to make a putt on stage, or else it wouldn’t make sense. The moment is preceded with a building up of comic tension, which will only be released once the putt was made, and all the characters on stage needed me to show my skills to them. I had successfully made the shot every rehearsal and because of this we never came up with a back-up plan in case anything went wrong. After nailing the shot for multiple weeks onstage, one show I managed to completely scuff the shot which shot the ball into a sofa, ricocheting it into a door, which then bounced into the rear wall of the set and finally went straight forward and hit a woman in the front row. Every actor on stage has followed the ball trajectory with their eyes and we all ended up looking at this lady in the front. The plot now could not progress, and we were all slightly stunned for a few moments by what had happened. Luckily my fellow actor had another ball in his pocket and said he’d give me another chance to make the shot. I don’t think I’ve ever hit a ball more gently or whilst shaking with nerves than I did on that second chance! (Luckily it just made it)

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

I’m a big fan of David Tennant. I saw him play Richard II, and he was so captivatingly good that you could feel the whole audience become gripped to him as soon as he stepped on stage. I don’t think I’ve seen him give a bad performance; he makes any part dynamic and engaging. I’d love to work with him some day.

Any big plans for the future?

I’m a huge Shakespeare fan as this is what first inspired me to become an actor, and I would therefore love the opportunity to work at The Globe or The RSC. Fingers crossed that dream will come true one day.

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

I find that learning your lines just before you go to sleep allows you to somehow wake up knowing them. I would also highly recommend recording the lines/scene and listening to it on loop whilst you’re making a journey or going on a walk. Learning lines on the tube also seems to work for me.