Editor: Hi Fred, as acting is now your profession how did it all start for you? 

Fred: I think the time I really got into acting was during my first and second year Ipswich School. Before then, I’d always taken part in whatever school productions were on offer, but it wasn’t until I was about 12 or 13 years old when I really began to love acting. I joined the New Wolsey Youth Theatre during this time and they offered eons of support and artist development from an early age, providing people my age with full scale productions in their studio theatre and main house. I stayed at the Wolsey for six years in the end, moving up to their young company where we were able to explore much more layered texts and were able to tour shows to places like Ireland. I really can’t recommend the New Wolsey Theatre enough and how much artistic opportunity they provide their participants with. In my final year of Ipswich school I decided to focus all of my energy on auditioning for drama school, and was lucky enough to be offered a Watermill Scholarship on Mountview’s prestigious  actor-musicianship course as soon as I finished Upper Sixth. 

Editor: You are playing Aladdin, at the Hackney Empire Christmas, what is the best thing about performing in panto? And the worst?

Fred: There are too many positives to mention during this performance process I think! I’d say one of my personal highlights is getting to meet and work with new people. The rehearsal room was full of a lovely cast and we all warmed to each other from day one. It’s always great to be able to share a space where everyone is so supportive of one another and can celebrate both the fails and the wins! The most tricky thing about working on a show like this is probably keeping vocal and physical health up, especially around this time of year. We’re just over halfway through our 57 show run and all of us are fighting off the fatigue that is starting to creep in. Remembering to eat well, keep hydrated and properly warm up both physically and vocally are things to always keep in mind. 

Editor: What have you appeared in since finished at Mountview?

Fred: Druing my final year at Mountview, my cohort put on three public productions. These productions, unlike the ones we did in first and second year, were open to whoever we wanted to invite. This meant Industry professionals, agents and casting directors alongside obviously friends and family. After my last show at Mountview, “Once”, I was offered a role in Emma Rice’s production of “Wuthering Heights” at the DeLaMar Theatre in Amsterdam over the summer. I had first met Emma and the Wise Children Theatre Company when I was in the second year, after I was successful in an audition to go to a workshop they held in Somerset, so it was great to be offered a role in such a highly rated show. When out in Amsterdam, I also signed with my agent from Simon and How Associates, and I’m constantly auditioning since working with them! 

Editor: What are you plans for the early part of 2024?

Fred: After this show I think I might have a bit of a rest! Then it’s back to auditioning for TV, film and theatre and see what’s in store next!

Editor: What work do you do when you are you haven't any acting work?

Fred: I’m in the process of setting up a business providing acting and music tuition for people who want to develop their craft on drums, guitar or performance. I’m aiming to help people prepare material for drama school auditions. I’ll be doing all of this whilst still auditioning throughout the year.

Editor: What are your best memories of Ipswich School?

Fred: Oh DEFINITELY messing about in the classroom! Ok…I’ll answer properly. The music and drama co-curricular was where I felt most at ease, I wasn’t very academic (I’d do my biology homework at break time), so I always enjoyed the discovery that theatre studies and music had to offer. It’s where I made lots of my school friends, and we still laugh today about projects and performances we did all those years ago. 

I know that during my time at the School, I sometimes felt a bit isolated in my studies because I wasn’t super clever and didn’t take economics or business at A level. But if anyone at Ipswich is considering applying for any creative bespoke training, be that art, drama, or music, then I’d say do it. Definitely do it. Mountview gave me three of the best years of my life, and even though I’ve only just graduated, being an actor has already taken me to cities and places I’d never thought I’d be working in, and I’m so excited to see what’s next. Plus, who doesn’t want to create stuff for a living?!

Editor: Thank you Fred for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to me. May I, on behalf of the OI Club members wish you every success in the forthcoming years and that you continue to enjoy your present role as Aladdin. Happy Christmas!