5 minutes with Elliott Kingsley
What are the 3 things you love most in life?
Now, I should probably say something like family or friends but I think if I'm honest I'd have to say dungarees, canal boats and... I can only think of two.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A dragon.
What makes you happy?
Lot's of things really, probably old people the most.
What makes you angry?
Cheese.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Listening to other people's conversations on the bus.
Which play changed your life?
Either Matthew Bourne's Lord of the Flies or this company (I really can't remember the name) that came and did A Midsummer Night's Dream at my primary school. They were both incredibly special to me.
What's exciting you about joining The Company?
I have to be honest, that's a bit of a silly question. What's not exciting?! As a young actor, opportunities like this are like stardust and I can't describe how honoured I feel to be given this wonderful chance... Also, I have a bet with my friend to see who can perform in all the venues in Liverpool and this put's me in the lead so that helps...
What are you looking forward to doing when you're in Liverpool next year?
Actually starting! Writing this in November, January seems soooooooo far away and it's been a long road getting here. Also meeting the company, these guys are the big boys (and gals) of our industry with a wealth of knowledge and experience and I get to steal it all HA HA HA!
What was your first experience of the Everyman?
Well a few years ago my best friend told me he'd just had his photo taken to be on the outside of the theatre (the etched silhouettes above the balcony) and I thought how have you managed that? (He's good at that kind of thing.) So I thought I'd go check what kind of establishment would want his horrible mug scratched onto the front of it for all eternity. I remember looking on the website for tickets for me and my Mam, our birthday's are only a day apart and I was only 16 at the time so I thought I could kill to birds with one stone. I saw they had a youth theatre show called The Grid and I chose that; partly because it had the coolest poster. When I went to see it, I was blown away. Truly, not in a "oh look at the young people having their say" kind of way, I'd just not seen theatre done like that before and I was determined I would eventually be a part of it. **SPOILER** I am.
If you could invite anyone for a drink in the bar who would it be and why?
Dan Meigh. Hands down. There's not much that I have right now that isn't thanks to him really. He's spent a lot of his time keeping me out of trouble and making sure I stayed focused, worked hard: He's always been there for support and advice and is the reason I started acting, eventually helping me to get involved with the Everyman. I think the least I can do is let him buy me a drink. Dan, if you're seeing this, it's a double rum and coke, squeeze of lime. Cheers.
What's the most valuable lesson you've learned as an actor? or the best advice received?
I still have A LOT of lessons to learn. There's a lot of abbreviations that I keep hearing and have no idea what they mean. However I'll learn. I'm going to be surrounded by people who can do thousands of things I can't. I'll watch. There's plenty of faces in the building that are still unfamiliar. I'll say hello. This is all because I'm a professional. Being professional isn't determined by the size of the job but the size of the person and if you're constantly willing to grow, not just as an actor but as a person, you can't really go wrong can you?
Posted in THE EVERYMAN COMPANY