Hi Alex, thanks so much for chatting to Stage to Page today! How are you? And would you mind introducing yourself and telling us how you first got into acting?
My name is Alex, and I first got into acting when I was around 6 years old. I used to go and watch shows such as fireman Sam and really enjoyed this. At one point I wanted to do Wallace and Gromit style animation but then I thought being an actor might be easier. And I have never looked back. 

You've started performances as the pirate in The Pirate, The Princess and The Platypus. Can you tell us about the show, and your character?
The show is about a Pirate that wants to be a Princess, a Princess that wants to be a Pirate and a platypus who is quite happy the way they are. My character, the Pirate, wants to impress his dad (The Dread Derek) but also wants to be happy and his true self. I think it's important to introduce children to theatre as early as possible. 

Do you think this show would be a good first theatre experience for the little ones? And what age range do you think the show is best suited to?
I think the recommended age range of 5+ is great but it’s also suitable for the whole family. It is a good experience for little ones as there are lots of funny characters colourful costumes, puppets and farting jokes. 

How does preparing for a show tailored to children differ from "traditional" theatre?
I think it’s exactly the same process. You have to put in just as much energy and focus as you do in ‘traditional’ theatre. I prepare exactly the same as it’s  essentially the same process for me as an actor. 

You've been in heavy shows like Witness For the Prosecution, to much more light-hearted shows like The Pirate, The Princess and the Platypus. Do you have a preference, or do you like the variation in what you do?
I like the variation but the main thing I enjoy is how much physicality and movement it involves. Plus playing lots of characters is great. Both in this and on my previous production it has involved lots of movement and shouting onstage. 

If you could play any character on stage, who would it be and why?
Macbeth is a character I would love to play. It would be great journey to explore and I like how he gets to his goal by any means possible. I would like to do this too because it would increase my appreciation for Shakespeare’s writing. 

A question I ask everyone on the Stagey Chat series, my blog is called Stage to Page. But if you could turn any book, from page to stage, what would it be and why?
Kindred by Octavia E Butler. The book is about a woman in 1970s America pulled from her life to help a slave owners child when he needs her. She gets stuck there, and the story looks at a comparison of her life in the 1970s to back before slavery was abolished. It’s science fiction novel for young adults. I believe I would be hard to do onstage but through the use of magic and special effects it could be done! 

And final question, why should people book tickets to see the show? 
This show has something in it for everyone and a lovely message about ‘being who you want to be’. We want the audience to understand that you don’t have to be one thing or another. It’s important for kids to hear and see this through real people onstage. It is also important for adults to see you don’t have to conform to what society thinks we should be too. It is also filled with music and catchy songs.

Thank you so much for chatting to us, Alex. You can catch The Pirate, the Princess and the Platypus, here.