Space
Space is undoubtedly one of the most important elements of my work as a theatre maker and actor and ideally it would always be the starting point for creating a piece of work.
Growing up in a Victorian house in Dundee most definitely influenced my appreciation for old things and I am quickly drawn to the beauty in a space or a thing that might not always be so obvious.
Dudhope Castle stands in Dudhope Park in Dundee and overlooks the fastest flowing River in the UK – the mighty River Tay. The castle was in a state of ruin when I was growing up and I had the joy of playing in it with my big brother and our pals. It would also be where I did my first piece of site specific theatre.
‘Witches Blood’ was a large scale piece of work that drew different areas of the community of Dundee together to perform across different points throughout the City. It was the first piece of work that made me realise how much I loved theatre and was when I first became aware of the power of theatre. Still a ruin in 1987 the castle had a very particular atmosphere and smell about it that really got into my bones. I can still remember walking out onto an open-air flood-lit stage supported by the eerie tones of the fantastic Dundonian musician Michael Marra who was singing live. I remember looking out into a sea of people stood in the rain watching and it gave me goose bumps, I was hooked.
The castle in all its disrepair had something very special about it and though not realising it at the time that piece of theatre and that space would inform me so much as an actor and theatre maker. I must say I don’t love how the Castle has been restored.
Dundee is where my passion for acting, theatre, drama and music first began, it was also where my training for my career as an actor started on the Theatre Arts Course Directed by Sheila Allan.
Each of the spaces above I have visited. I love to draw inspiration for my work from all of them in some way and i am always looking for a space that excites me, be it just as i go about my everyday life seeing everyday spaces or in the times when i am lucky enough to visit other countries and experience other cultures.