Ten Questions with...Dominic Sands

Dominic is an actor and theatre maker from Norfolk. He studied Drama and Performance Studies at Paston Sixth Form College. Recently, Dominic went on a gap year and traveled around Europe, seeing theatre in every country he went to.

He is the founder of Orbital Productions. They look at ways to create exciting theatre and film projects using new writing and lesser known plays in order to give upcoming practitioners an opportunity to be seen. Their goal is collaboration with like minded companies to make Norfolk a massive landmark for theatre and film.

I have met Dominic a number of times at Red Duck's popular new writing evenings at the Maddermarket Theatre. He's a lovely chap with a keen head for performance.

1. Hi Dominic, what have you just done?

I've just finished a run of Sunset Boulevard with the Norwich and Norfolk Operatic Society at the Theatre Royal!

2. You are an actor and you also run a theatre company: which one is more rewarding?

I'd say that they are both more rewarding in different ways. As an actor it's very self rewarding to do the thing that I love the most and to receive compliments about my work, and as a theatre company it's rewarding to contribute to this industry, to put on shows that move audiences and create exciting pieces of theatre that wouldn't of been able to happen without everyone working together to create something great.

3. There is a big debate about pay vs. no pay, passion vs. payment; what is your opinion on being paid for your art?

 I strongly believe that all people within the arts should be paid properly, we give a service like any other profession and the arts industry is a vital part of our culture. Therefore we should be paid for our services/vast amounts of work and time that we put into our industry.

4. What is the most important attribute for a theatre professional in the 21st Century?

Ambition. The ambition to keep you going and to strive for better and higher standards, and to keep pushing the bar higher for others to follow. If you haven't got the drive to keep going, even if you get knocked down time and time again, then you won't make it. Or at least be happy with where you are.

5: Who is your favourite artist and why?

Personally, Robin Williams is a great inspiration. Someone who cared so much for all people despite going through severe depression. Not only did he make people laugh and cry but he used his work to help other. For example,. In his rider for some of his films, he would make the company hire a certain amount of homeless/underprivileged  people as paid extra's whilst also sheltering them and feeding them during filming.

6: Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Hopefully being able to be self sufficient and have a sustainable income from acting/theatre related projects.

7: What is your favourite place in Norfolk?

The Garage across from the Theatre Royal, many years of happy memories and the main reason why I am so passionate about theatre. And the coach and horses pub behind it, cause.... you know.

8: How do you relax of an evening after a hard day?

Playing computer games and watching Anime.

9: Dog or cat?

Dog! (She's a puppy.... *Dies from cuteness*)

10: And finally, what is next for you?

Put on my first theatre production at the end of the year. Which will be...................(Drum roll)........................ Ordinary Days by Adam Gwon.

Review ~ Forgotten, The Cut, Halesworth, 1st April 2016

For me, a well made programme always gives me an idea, albeit it in a very small way, of the commitment and level of the production about to be seen. If Stuff of Dreams' programme for their opening night of 'Forgotten' was anything to go by, we were in for quite a piece of theatre; as detailed and lavish as the booklet that we purchased at the start.

I'm a big fan of Stuff of Dreams. Their previous two shows were terrific stories on stage, and tonight's production had been eagerly awaited by myself, having been able to read some of the script by Ray Rumsby, a local writer and academic.

'Forgotten' tells the story of East Anglian poet George Crabbe (Thomas Wingfield) much loved and appreciated by the region. Perhaps most famous for his poem 'Peter Grimes' (from 'The Borough' read it here: Peter Grimes) this work was made into a famous opera by Benjamin Britten. It is familiar to myself from playing 'Bob' in the 'Private Ear' which features a section from the opera. The poem is quite different however, painting Grimes as a ruthless child killer and quite mad. Crabbe here is seen as a humanitarian, a man concerned with poverty. Bells are rung with our current 21st situation under 'austerity'.  It wasn't all easy for Crabbe of course, having to beg and borrow in order to realise a life for him and his wife Sarah (Kiara Hawker). Personally, as a sometime writer myself, I related to his struggles, I found the need to create a theme that the production expressed well.

Through a meeting of theatrical conventions his life is laid out - it is as closely observed as his own poetry observed the myriad facets of Norfolk and Suffolk life. From the opening image of a modern university lecturer to the final powerful tableaux, the action is detailed and non stop, scene changes happening quickly even for shorter scenes with set being struck in situ, sometimes still in character. Actors play a number of roles from the man's life and are onstage throughout, Brechtian style, easily seen by the audience to don a hat and reenter as a comedy landlady or sincere maid. Props are used as well as mime. I enjoyed the mime of the dog and baby, both comic moments beautifully placed.

The language is grounded yet rings with it's own poetry and is very powerful in places, despite the accents sometimes too thick for this non native. One of Crabbe's poems is played out in a surreal narrative that is frankly a challenge to follow at times, but meeting theatrical conventions with aplomb is what I have come to expect from Stuff of Dreams.

Cordelia Spence's direction does new things, fully exploring her set, pulling us in as an audience to intimate moments, taking us into the very fabric of the poet Crabbe's mind, which clearly was a detailed and at at times lonely place. Lighting and sound aided this competently and again, the language seemed a character all of it's own, interspersed with Crabbe's own work.

The cast was strong, each manifestation by turns amusing or bittersweet, having definite particulars to the roles. Hayley Evenett shone as Phoebe and Lucy, whilst her landlady amused, as did Neve Doyle's numerous fishermen along with a very disagreeable Mrs. Crabbe.
Tom Wingfield had a pathos that was palpable and his ageing was deft and believable, whilst Kiara Hawker as Crabbe's wife, had beautiful singing solos.

Particular mention must be made of Nick Murray Brown, who blew me away as Peter Grimes. Nick Murray Brown's Grimes' shook the very foundations of the Cut last night, echoing a human agony that reached back through history itself. His commitment to the role was staggering and inspiring, a figure whose very appearance caused gasps. He pulled from himself a timeless portrayal, one for the ages and should indeed me commended.  For me, this was the highlight. I was moved to holding my breath, edge of my seat, grasping my partners hand as his wild eyes begged us all for forgiveness. A towering performance.

On the whole, it's a big show with a keen eye for the questions it wants to ask of Crabbe. If you are familiar with George Crabbe, you are in good company but if like me, you are a layman, it is an intellectual introduction to the life and work of an interesting man, realised with dedication and a firm hold of stagecraft.

'But here he ceased and gazed
And still he tried to speak, and looked in dread
Of frightened females gathering round his bed;
Then dropped exhausted and appeared at rest,
Till the strong foe the vital powers possessed:
Then with an inward, broken voice he cried, 
"Again they come," and muttered as he died.'

Full details of the tour dates as well as booking available here :Stuff of Dreams Theatre

Recycling ~

Daisy and I co-run Strange Fascination Theatre Company (as you might be aware by now) and are always looking for ways to not only save money in this very draconian society, but recycle for the sake of the environment.

The human race has caused untold damage to the planet with industrial activity and the future looks bleak: by 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish and already we are seeing the extinction of many species of insect and animal caused by human industry.

With these overwhelming prospects we can all continue to conduct our daily lives in ways that help the world around us. At home we recycle everything we can. Daisy is very much of the 'make do and mend' philosophy, and our clothes come solely from charity shops. These establishments are thriving as more and more people are finding that they can clothe themselves fashionably and cheaply.

Daisy hand makes our show costumes too. The materials she uses range from curtains to appropriating already made costumes to suit her needs. On the rare occassion she cannot make something that we might need specifically, then we plan a jaunt to a charity shop. Props for shows are either mostly made too from discarded foam mats, thrown away materials and from items once used for something else entirely.

Of course, now spring is in full flow most of the regions fabulous car boot sales are happening again and we are definite rummage connoisseurs. Our blue mini is a familiar sight at the huge car boots that run at Alysham and on the coast and we have sourced a lot of props and other items from the rummage on offer: it's amazing the deals and the items you can find not only for a production but for your personal collection.

My study, affectionately known as 'The Cwtch' ( a welsh word pronounced 'Kutch' and meaning 'hug' or 'safe place') is a haven for the numerous things I collect; from first edition books, boxes, taxidermy, books, badges, toys, books, figurines, plants, books and books...all found at car boot sales and antique fairs.

In the wonderful rural area where we live, the many walks we go on yield a lot of results too. We are very enthusiastic 'skip divers' ~ there is a farm near to us where a builder deposits most of his unused materials from the various jobs he undertakes. We advise knocking on a door and asking if the items are indeed to be thrown away, as some people can become quite unnerved seeing two people digging through a skip, getting excited over unused boxes of nails and sections of wood... It saves money and is certainly helping by recycling things that otherwise would have ended in land fill.

A good skip dive can produce a lot of results and it is amazing what you will find: to date, skip diving has yielded:

~ a human skeleton (model!!)
~ a water butt for the garden.
~ a stereo
~ furniture
~ boxes and packing materials
~ resin, paints and plaster
~ screws, bolts, nails and stationery
~ costumes bits
~ a coffin
~ enough building materials to help build our last set!

so you see, it's always worth putting one's dignity to one side for half and hour and getting headfirst into a skip: you really don't know what you will find.

In this day and age,  in a disposable culture where even people are sometimes thrown away, it is our human duty to 'make do and mend', to take things that have been used before and use them again. The planet deserves it after all, an organism that protects and nurtures us, as do the future generations that hope to live on Earth. After all, when you mend something, you enrich the object. When you begin to see things in this manner, you appreciate the synergy we have with all living things and with our environment. That can only be a good thing and a healthy thing for all of us.

Ten Questions with...Justin Eade

Justin currently runs OHMO Entertainment, a theatre and film production company based in Norwich. He also serves as Artistic Director for Joan Brink Theatre Company, Director for Actor Screen UK, Assistant Director of Slow Theatre Company, Acting Teacher at Slow Theatre Company and Sense Theatre, & Project Manager at Tangram Theatre Company.

Justin credits includes work in theatre, radio, film and The BBC as an actor, producer, director, production manager, & casting director.

Check out OHMO here: OHMO Entertainment

1. Hi Justin, what have you just done?

Everything is going on at once this year, so none of my 2016 projects are at completion right now, but I am currently in a number of very exciting things.

2. You run a number of organisations: what are the reasons behind your creative projects?

I can't remember a time I haven't been involved in the arts. Even from a very young age, I was attending acting classes. My biggest passion in life is the arts. I always have a good reason behind each individual project.

3: What are the most important attributes for someone working professionally in the arts?

Genuine passion for what one does. If there's no passion behind the craft it's not true art, and people like me can see right through that.

4: There is a lot of debate about pay vs. no pay, passion versus payment etc...what are your thoughts on being paid for your art?

I believe that generally actors and all artists should be paid for their work. It is a skilled craft, and should be recognised as so. I'd sat on the odd occasion, volunteering your skills can be acceptable, as long as it's for good reasons. Unfortunately there are alot of people who think it's fine to take advantage of actors free labour, nor recognising it's how they are trying to make a living. You would not ask a builder, a taxi or any other profession to work for free, so that should be the case for actors too.

5: Who is your favourite artist and why?

The late Alan Rickman. Sadly the arts industry lost an incredible actor this year, but my main reason is that Alan Rickman was such a great spokesman for Actors.

6: Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I try to keep a five year plan so I have a very good idea where I will be in 5 years time. I do have a very ambitious musical planned for then, but all is hush hush for now haha.

7: What is your favourite place in Norfolk?

I think that may have to be Cromer in the summer. I'm not sure what it is about Cromer. Sitting on the pier some chips watching the sea moving in and out, just feels relaxing.

8: How do you relax of an evening after a hard day?

Reading or watching a good film.

9: Dog or cat?
Whilst I am a big animal lover all round, I will have to say Dog. I have a Jack Russell called Jake and a cuddle with him would also be a good answer to the previous question.

10: And finally, what is next for you?
I have a few projects lined up. In August I will be producing a film based on the Burston School Strike of 1914. I am project managing a theatre tour called Bex & Rex in the Beastly Brecks over the next few months. The next big project for me is a new national website aimed at actors. It will be an online resource for professional actors and will be a non profit venture. The site will launch next month.

Ten Questions with...RED Duck Producktions

Red Duck Producktions is a Norwich based company created and run by Hayley Evenett and James Ducker. They organise Scratch Shot new writing events. To date they are on their third event with a Shakespeare special in April and many more to come throughout 2016. Young, energetic and talented, the pair represent the very best of the wide variety of talent in the region.

Contact: redduckproduck@gmail.com


1: What is Red Duck all about?

REDuck is all about supporting and developing new work within East Anglia.

2: Why did you start Red Duck?

We had ideas of how to nurture this industry from the ground up in the region, we want to help to build a sustainable industry by creating an environment where creatives can network and promote their work, whether it be in development or the finished product.

3: What defines your work with Red Duck?

Even in our early stages, we have generated a buzz about the work we are looking to do. The writers feel comfortable trusting us with their writing. We have built from nothing and being two active performers ourselves we appreciate the need for a platform for all local creatives develop skills and showcase their work. This is what separates ourselves from other companies, we approach our events as an open book.

4: What issues do you think need to be addressed in the arts?

We would be lying if we didn’t say money (laughs). Exploitation i.e. being expected to work for free with no gain for the artist. Be this money, trade, skills or showcase of talent. The attitudes of artists towards lesser experienced and even just other artists. The industry is tough enough and we believe everyone should support each other. Our event, Scratch Shot promotes this in abundance by allowing each actor to work with new people on exciting new pieces.

The idea that certain professionals believe they know it all with regards to the industry and that they have learnt everything there is to learn. It’s a constantly evolving industry and we are always learning.

5: If you could change three things about the arts culture in the UK, what would they be and why?

More roles for women (role equality) – less ‘romantic interest’ and ‘mother’ roles – more women with grit!

The attitude that this is an unskilled and unrealistic profession.

“What have you been in that I would have seen?” – The idea that you have to be famous to be considered successful.

6: What are the core values that you think a theatre practitioner should adopt for success?

Always remember that the audience are the ones who pay the wages, keep you in work. Self-indulgent work that alienates the audience is harmful to the industry as it is putting people off with preconceptions that they will not enjoy it.

Respect your peers, no matter their experience, we can all benefit from learning.

Your image in the digital world is all important. This is where the people can see the real you and one wrong word could have a massive effect on your career. 

7: Where will Red Duck be in two years time?

We are already expanding our event calendar, with every event we are build a bigger base of actors and writers. REDuck will be at bigger venues and looking to produce new work in the area.

8: How do you relax of an evening?

On the rare evenings we have the chance to relax, it could be anything from binge watching shows on Netflix or Amazon to reading the pieces for the next Scratch. Entire evenings have been lost touring around Youtube (Honest Trailers is a particular favourite).

9: Dog or cat?

Cat (wigglefloof) we are looking to adopt one and call it Wash.

10: And what is next for you as individual actors?

Hayley – I am currently rehearsing with Stuff Of Dreams for their next regional tour ‘Forgotten’, a brand new play, portraying the haunting story of East Anglia’s greatest poet, George Crabbe.

James – My next project is a special performance of Simon Michael Morgan’s new work ‘The Zoo’ based on story of Charles Manson and watch as he ages in front of the audiences eyes. (*please insert what you would like here*). And this will produced as a special performance at our May ‘Scratch Shot’.

Red Duck are back on the 14th April with their Shakespeare Special at the Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich. Details here ~ Shakespeare Special

Ten things a day ~

For a very long time now I have always done ten things a day to further my career.

Baring illness, I have maintained this for nearly twenty years. It doesn't have to be huge things, like hiking to Nepal to get special butter, but can be a daily event that enables you, makes you feel good about yourself as well as creating a practice of routine that is vital to succeed as a self employed actor.

A common misconception is that fame is the end product of an acting career, that fame equates success. Well, this isn't true and a lot of professionals that I have interviewed for my 'Ten Questions with...' maintain that to be a successful theatre practitioner, one must be working, making work, honing work and making one's self available for work.

I believe that this is true. My ten things a day involves the obvious email applications to casting directors, to gigs that pop up on the many online forums such as Spotlight and CCP, but fame is not a driving motivation. Warhol said that we will all get our fifteen minutes (I certainly have known actors who have simply vanished after thinking they had 'made it' without any skills to continue) but I ain't after that. I want to continue to make  fun and entertaining work with like minded individuals. I want to live from my passion. I want nice holidays.

The idea that all this is in order to get interrupted at dinner for an autograph is rather off putting to me. I did a brief (very brief) moment on Doctor Who and received a lot of 'fan mail' ranging from the usual delightful children wanting to collect autographs of anyone and everyone associated with the series to grown men coming to my house, wanting to have a photo taken with me and an item of my clothing.

My point is that hunting fame is rather empty headed. But so many younger actors believe that the qualification of people en masse for how they look or talk is what it is all about. It really isn't. There are a lot of books on the craft of acting out there, as well as men and women who have really pushed the boundaries of perceived norms through the craft...that they have become famous from their work is clearly a by product and that again is the hook for me: the work, people noticing the work, people being moved and provoked by the work.

Ten things a day is a mantra, a thing that reminds me what I am and what I do. And sometimes, be fair to yourself, getting out of bed at 6am to switch on the laptop and stare at it for twenty minutes is part of your ten a day.

Victories for creatives come in all shapes and sizes.

Ten Questions with...Terry Molloy

Terry Molloy is an actor who lives just outside Norwich in Bawburgh. He has been a member of the cast of BBC Radio Four's radio soap opera, The Archers, playing Mike Tucker, since 1973 and has won awards for his work on radio. 

On television, Molloy is best known for playing the mad scientist Davros, the creator of the Daleks, in the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who.

He also plays Michael Lord in acclaimed sci fi web series 'Kosmos'.

Daisy and I met Terry when Daisy was a designer with Southwold Summer Theatres and he has been a friend ever since. Last year we invited him to be the patron of Strange Fascination Theatre to which he generously obliged. We are very grateful for his support and guidance.

1. Hello Terry, I hope you are well on this glorious day!  What have you been up to this week?

Ooof! Lying in bed, sweating and wheezing and coughing my way through a horrid bout of man flu! When I should have been enjoying a two day audio book recording! Such is an actors life!

2. You have had a very successful career as an actor, in television, stage, film and radio: How did you start out and what was your 'big break'?

Instead of going into the music business when I left Liverpool in the late 60s, and with a thirst for insecurity, I chose the 'acting business'...because it seemed easier to me, and there were more days off - that proved very true!

I don't think I ever had a 'big break'...just lots of little ones, that built up to help boost my career as it progressed! 

3. We all love Doctor Who and you have been a big part of it, playing the iconic villain Davros, but what went into your incarnation of him; how difficult was he to bring alive? 

Actually BEING an evil intergalactic villain in real life helped enormously! Always draw on the strengths within you!

The part was offered to me when I had no idea what the character was. I sat down and watched Genesis of the Daleks with Michael Wisher in the part, and went from there. Building the character vocally had a vast amount to do with Davros' success as a villain.

4. You also play Mike Tucker on the Archers, the much loved soap opera. Do you prefer radio work to live action?

I've always loved and preferred audio to any other media. For an actor, it enables you to really step outside yourself and take on parts you would never be offered on stage or film because physically you don't fit the image! On radio, the voice is the image created in the listener's mind!

5. What do you see when you look at the acting industry today?

I see a hard cruel road that new actors now have to travel, with such a lack of opportunities to develop their careers. There is no forging ground of the old Repertory System left anymore, as we had when I was in my 20s to learn the craft, with new writers.

We seem to be in a 'fast food' world of expectation, where everything has to come to you NOW....or at least before you are 25, or you are labelled as some sort of failure!

And the increasing pressure for talented, trained actors to work for free fills me with fury! If companies cannot afford to pay their talent, they cannot afford to produce the product! Respect is due to those who have that burning desire and need to share their creativity and emotions with an audience...whether it be stage, screen or audio!

6. The onus of a lot of public perception of acting has always been 'luck' ~ how much 'luck' have you had in your career?

It's amazing how 'lucky' you get when you put the hard work and effort into preparing for and chasing jobs down! 

But yes, I have had 'lucky' moments in my career...I got Davros because of a 'lucky' BBC strike that postponed production of Revelation of the Daleks, so it had to be remounted with a new director....I had been 'lucky' enough to have just finished doing a TV series with!

7. It has to be asked; tell us about the most embarrassing moment of your career (if you can!!)

1970 - The Old Victoria Theatre, Hartshill Road, Stoke on Trent.
A Theatre in the Round Production of Under Milk Wood.

As the performance came towards its close, the main stage was occupied by the two narrators while the rest of us cast were sprinkled up the stairways among the audience with an independent spotlight that came on as we each gave our final speeches....we had all finished our speeches and relaxed in the comfortable enveloping darkness as the focus drew toward the final lines from the narrator on stage.

An inexplicable mistake in the lighting box suddenly brought up my spotlight, as I sat on the stairs among the audience with my finger firmly planted up my nose!

Be ever vigilant!

8. If you were able to speak to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give him?

Be true to yourself. 
Relax and ENJOY being who you are.
Follow your gut feeling about people and work opportunities.
Do not be swayed by either blandishments or criticism.
Be always honest, but know humility.
Mostly...have fun!

9. How do you like to spend your spare time?

Asleep! And if there is a beach nearby, asleep on a beach with the sound of the sea in my ears.

10. And finally, what's next for you?

This year I already have a large number of Conventions and workshops booked, both here and in the US. There are several audio projects coming up but sadly no theatre as I have barely time between one event and another to rehearse and perform (I dearly miss doing theatre). 

Apart from that, like the rest of us, I await the that call from my agent!