The Last King of Scotland – rehearsal photos and update

Sep 23, 2019Sep 23, 2019Leave a comment

We’ve just finished week 5 of rehearsals and have moved out of the rehearsal room. Tomorrow we will be on the main stage at the Crucible Theatre for tech week.

So far, so good. In fact, so far, so amazing. The play is powerful and emotional with distinctive characters who are forced to endure very difficult circumstances.

I am enjoying playing Kay Amin, wife to former president Idi Amin, because she is courageous, loving and has a big heart. I get to challenge myself by exploring/playing dark and heavier emotions, as well as lighter, brighter moments of joy and comedy.

My fellow actors are incredible and everyone fits their role perfectly. Our director, Gbolahan, has a strong vision. The play is huge and emotionally charged, but Gbolahan has been thorough and thoughtful towards us as actors and all aspects of the play’s execution.

I’m excited to finally perform our show in front of an audience – honestly, I can’t stress enough how much of a blessing this opportunity is. We have all been working meticulously and patiently to contribute and create a powerful show. I hope that our audiences will walk out feeling reflective and different.

Below are pictures from the last few weeks of rehearsals. All pictures taken by Helen Murray.

John Omole, Hussina Raja The Last King of Scotland - Helen Murray

George Eggay The Last King of Scotland - Helen Murray

Joyce Omotola, Akuc Bol The Last King of Scotland - Helen Murray

Gbolahan Obisesan The Last King of Scotland - Helen Murray

Peter Hamilton Dyer, John Omole, Dan Portman The Last King of Scotland - Helen Murray

The Last King of Scotland - Helen Murray

Tobi Bamtefa The Last King of Scotland - Helen Murray

Peter Hamilton Dyer The Last King of Scotland - Helen Murray

CASTING NEWS

Aug 4, 2019Sep 1, 2019Leave a comment

I’ve landed my first job post-drama school. Woohoo!

I’ll be playing Kay Amin in The Last King of Scotland by Steve Waters at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The play is based on the book by Giles Foden and will be directed by Gbolahan Obisesan.

Rehearsals start on August 19th so I’ll be moving up to Sheffield in less than 2 weeks and that’s where I’ll be based until late October-ish.

I’m looking forward to working with Gbolahan, whose work I love, and meeting the entire cast and crew. As the play is set in Ugandan the cast will be majority black so I’m extra excited for that. In the meantime, I shall get stuck into the prep and get my bags READY!

lastkingofscotland.bookcover.GilesFoden

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY GILES FODEN

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY STEVE WATERS

‘He is the sickness and you maintain that sickness’

Idi Amin is the self-declared President of Uganda. When Scottish medic Nicholas Garrigan becomes his personal physician, he is catapulted into Amin’s inner circle. A useful asset for the British Secret Service, is Garrigan the man on the inside, or does he have blood on his hands too?

The first adaptation of the award-winning novel that inspired the Oscar-winning movie, The Last King of Scotland is an electrifying thriller about corruption and complicity.

I’m a graduate

Jul 14, 20192 Comments

Last week I finally graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as a trained actor. I’m certified, baby!

Akuc RCS graduation

It’s been a really impactful journey these last three years of drama school and I’m so happy that I decided to train up north in Glasgow. I feel like I’ve grown a lot and absorbed so much in terms of acting and in terms of just living life on my terms.

So, what are my plans as a graduate? Enjoy the freedom, that’s for sure. I have my sights set on going on holiday in September or October. I’m thinking somewhere warm and sunny. Wherever the world will take me, I’ll be ready.

I’m back on the blogging wave now that I’m not so busy with school, so that will take some of my time, too. I’ll be continuing to read a book per week and since I’m in London I can go back to my Dinka classes.

I’m not too sure what the rest of my year will look like – I’ll have to take a moment next week to really visualise and decide on how things should go – but what I do know is that I need to prepare myself (mentally and physically) for something big, something extraordinary!

A sense of urgency

May 21, 2019Leave a comment

An important thing to consider when pursuing your goals is your level of urgency.

A sense of urgency comes from having the drive and determination to see things through, and I believe it can only come when your goal is: a) challenging enough that you need to take a leap of faith, and b) exciting enough to keep you feeling stimulated along the way.

Continue reading →

Fear vs Faith

May 3, 2019May 9, 2019Leave a comment

It’s so easy to become afraid of the future and of stepping into the unknown.

FAITH VS fear

Continue reading →

Start with the end in mind

Apr 26, 2019Apr 26, 2019Leave a comment

I was recently having a conversation with a friend about this principle and because it is such a powerful one, I wanted to share my thoughts on it.

Starting with the end in mind is all about developing and specifying what your destination and your objective look like. The more precise you are with this vision, the easier it is to achieve it.

Continue reading →

I had an audition last week and it didn’t go well.

Apr 5, 2019Apr 5, 20192 Comments

I had an audition last week and it didn’t go well.

Yesterday I received feedback from the casting director who said my performance was underprepared. I was disappointed when I heard this, not because I was offended but because it was absolutely true.

Let me take you through my audition prep: receives the script, waits 4 days before reading it, reads it once, look at my lines a few times. Job done. I left the audition room looking and feeling pathetic.

The role was for a lead part at a big theatre in London and the way I treated the audition was not on par with the quality of work produced there.

It’s embarrassing to think that a big casting director thought I wasn’t very good, and it’s not what I want people to say about me as an actor. Though this obviously isn’t the end of the world, I will not allow myself to repeat this again. I take full responsibility.

In order to move forward, I’m flipping this experience into a positive.

*Opens window, exhales negative energy and inhales gratitude.*

What I can do now is reevaluate my game plan. I want to finish drama school very strong. I want to feel proud of myself knowing that I worked my ass off and did the best I could, so I’ve got to prepare for that.

That means showing up with the right attitude – a professional attitude. That means doing all the prep and research before I get to the rehearsal room. And above all, it means enjoying the process. The same principles apply to all future auditions as well.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic walking away from auditions or meetings or the rehearsal room knowing that I performed at my best and left a great impression?

This lesson has come at a good time where I need to be consistent with what I’m offering as an actor and in my efforts, ensuring that my identity and self-image are in total alignment with my actions.

My first motivational speech at Parliament Hill School

Mar 7, 2019Mar 8, 2019Leave a comment

A few days ago I visited my former secondary school, Parliament Hill School, to give a talk entitled “Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams” to about 150+ students in Year 11. The talk was about self-belief and why it’s so necessary to invest in your skills, dreams and talent.

This event was my first official speaking engagement and I loved every minute of it. I managed to address the young students with authority and conviction in a warm, friendly style.

Outside the doors of Parliament Hill School

I wanted to give the talk because I remembered how tough it can be as a young person looking ahead and having to make a million decisions about what to do and where to go in the future. Throughout my teenage years I was lucky enough to have been pushed in the right direction, and so today, being in a position to reap the rewards, it’s a message I’m determined to share with others.

Following my talk, it was suggested by members of staff that I become a governor of the school. Now I don’t know what that will really entail, but it does sound pretty fancy, right? I’m going to pretend the role comes with a fabulous title and that I get to wear lots of faux fur and sit on the iron throne sipping on champagne…

My return to Parliament Hill School meant I could catch up briefly with a few of my ex-teachers. A highlight of the day was conversing in French with my former French teacher as confidently and as accurately as a native speaker. Let me tell you I was feeling myself because I proved that I could go all the way. I did it, I never gave up, and nothing could taste sweeter!!!

Next up, I’ve got a Q&A with young, aspiring actors in Derby this weekend with Open Door, an organisation supporting young people to gain access to drama school. It’s an informal event with about 6 or 7 budding actors, but I believe my experience both during and before drama school can help clarify the role and journey of an actor, and hopefully motivate the kids to reach for the stars.

2019 will exceed all expectations

Jan 3, 2019Feb 9, 20191 Comment

HAPPY NEW YEAR! WOOHOO! WE MADE IT!

I really feel it in my core that 2019 is going to be crazy incredible. Looking back on the last year, regardless of what happened around me, I always felt pretty good.

So, looking ahead now at this fresh start and new perspective, I’ve got 6 specific goals that I’ll be working on in 2019 to push myself further. Here we go!