Nick Farr is about to play Orlando in ‘As You Like It’ at Londons Barons Court Theatre. I caught up with him to find out more about himself and the show.
Can you tell me about yourself and your career highlights to date?
I’m an actor and scriptwriter, who occasionally dabbles in musical instruments and stage combat. I was born in Toronto, Canada (Canadian Dad/English Mum), and moved to Brighton when I was three. I think the creative city infused itself into me, as I grew up loving the arts. I started acting at a young age, appearing in all the school plays from infant school up. I studied performing arts throughout my school years and completed a three year degree in Acting for Theatre, Film, and Television at the Arts University Bournemouth. I now live and work in London.
Some of my favourite roles to date have been Mercutio in “Romeo and Juliet”, Lord Darlington in “Lady Windermere’s Fan”, Jonathan Harker in “Dracula”, Brutus in “Julius Caesar”, “Paul” in the Van d’Or nominated feature film “Pictures of Lily”, and Prospero in Green Girl Production’s “The Tempest” last year. I am currently writing a play and a short film script.
I’m an actor and scriptwriter, who occasionally dabbles in musical instruments and stage combat. I was born in Toronto, Canada (Canadian Dad/English Mum), and moved to Brighton when I was three. I think the creative city infused itself into me, as I grew up loving the arts. I started acting at a young age, appearing in all the school plays from infant school up. I studied performing arts throughout my school years and completed a three year degree in Acting for Theatre, Film, and Television at the Arts University Bournemouth. I now live and work in London.
Some of my favourite roles to date have been Mercutio in “Romeo and Juliet”, Lord Darlington in “Lady Windermere’s Fan”, Jonathan Harker in “Dracula”, Brutus in “Julius Caesar”, “Paul” in the Van d’Or nominated feature film “Pictures of Lily”, and Prospero in Green Girl Production’s “The Tempest” last year. I am currently writing a play and a short film script.
What is the show about and can you tell me about the character you play?
“As You Like It” is a Shakespearean romantic comedy drama. It has many themes and motifs: chiefly love – romantic, familial (or storge), between friends, and of nature; power; wordplay; courtly life versus pastoral country life; gender differences; and homoeroticism. Our production is set in and around the forest of Ardenne in the aftermath of WWII, so post traumatic stress disorder; soldiers returning to civilian life; and the fashion, music and people of that era are also explored.
I play Orlando, a young, honest, brave, and chivalrous nobleman and ex-soldier, denied his education and birthright by his older brother. He falls madly in love with Rosalind, daughter to the banished Duke Senior, and spends most of the play trying to prove his love to her (whilst she is dressed as a boy!) through poetry and battles of wit and words. He is a really fun part to play, less serious than some of my previous roles.
If we asked your friends to describe you in three words, what would they be?
Loyal, entertaining, and hirsute.
Loyal, entertaining, and hirsute.
Do you have any dream roles that you would love to have a go at playing?
I’d love to have a crack at Hamlet (which actor doesn’t!), but my dream role would be Prince Harry/Hal/King Henry V in Shakespeare’s Henriad trilogy: Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. I love the journey (from boy to man, from Prince to monarch) that he goes on, the thrilling battle scenes, and the soaring, rousing speeches (“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; or he today that sheds his blood with me hall be my brother”, “Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more”). I saw Jamie Parker play the role at The Globe (with Roger Allam as Falstaff), was a fan of the BBC’s “The Hollow Crown” starring Tom Hiddleston, and I hope to see Jude Law in the role at the Noel Coward Theatre.
I’d love to have a crack at Hamlet (which actor doesn’t!), but my dream role would be Prince Harry/Hal/King Henry V in Shakespeare’s Henriad trilogy: Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. I love the journey (from boy to man, from Prince to monarch) that he goes on, the thrilling battle scenes, and the soaring, rousing speeches (“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; or he today that sheds his blood with me hall be my brother”, “Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more”). I saw Jamie Parker play the role at The Globe (with Roger Allam as Falstaff), was a fan of the BBC’s “The Hollow Crown” starring Tom Hiddleston, and I hope to see Jude Law in the role at the Noel Coward Theatre.
If you could be the opposite sex for the day, what musical theatre role would you like to have a go at playing?
Well, I guess Frank N. Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” isn’t quite womanly enough, so I’ll go for Mimi in “Rent”, purely so I could belt out her song “Out Tonight”
Do you have a favourite Musical Theatre show or song that means a lot to you?
I have several favourite musicals (“Les Miserables”, “Into The Woods”, “The Lion King”, “Once”), but a musical and song that will always stay with me is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” – “Any Dream Will Do”, as Joseph was my first leading role in a production (at Secondary School), and it was my epiphany moment that I wanted to be an actor.
I have several favourite musicals (“Les Miserables”, “Into The Woods”, “The Lion King”, “Once”), but a musical and song that will always stay with me is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” – “Any Dream Will Do”, as Joseph was my first leading role in a production (at Secondary School), and it was my epiphany moment that I wanted to be an actor.
Finally. If you were going to name a pet, what theatre character name would you choose?
Mr Mistoffelees.
Thank you for having Tea With Wilma
As You Like It plays at the Barons Court Theatre 14-26 January 2014. Click here to book tickets.
