Many films have now marked your career as an international actor, do you have one that you
hold particularly close to your heart?
There are a couple that touched me on an emotional level.
Self Same Sky was the reason for me becoming a film actor after doing theatre for over 26
years. The film was a modern day adaption of the Shakespreare play Henry the Fourth Part 2.
I portrayed the father, Henry who had lost his wife and her sister in a car accident. He is trying
to bring up his children and adopt his young Nephew.
His eldest son Hal, is going off the rails and getting into trouble, leaving Henry in dispair.
Henry later discovers that he has Cancer.
The role was a wonderful exploration of deep emotions and realism.
Another that gave me the opportunity to reach deep into those emotions was The
Awakening.
This was a recent short, that explored how we can project our own expectations onto the lives of
our children.
A man on his deathbed, with his daughter by his side, relives key moments of his life in a near-death
experience. Only by rediscovering his true essence will he have the opportunity to come back to life one
last time to encourage his daughter to pursue her dreams. Written by Cristina Pagani and Philippe
D'Imperio.
Your film Ballistic was released on October 12th, can you explain the role you play and how
you prepared for it?
I portrayed Detective Wilkes, a police officer who like to dabble in both sides of the law.
He finds an opportunity opens up to make even extra cash, when the head mobster is sent to
prison, but obviously, he soon finds out that this will not last forever.
I have worked with Director/Writer Ranjeet S Marwa many times, so he always encourages
his actors to bring an essence of themselves to their characters.
That’s not to say that I am a bent Police Officer, but I do have an essence of control in my
personality, so it was useful to adapt that to Detective Wilkes.
The Last Redemption is a film by Giovanni Marzagalli alias "John Real", a director who I
am lucky enough to know well, how did you find working with him?
I first worked with John in his film The Beginning: Feel the Dead, which took me to Siciliy
on the side of Mount Etna.
It was a wonderful experience being made welcome and feeling like a part of the family,
whilst being surrounded by a beautiful forest.
More recently I portrayed the Bandit Liam Nistrol in his Medieval epic, The Last
Redemption, with a Star studded cast.
Once again it felt like I had never been away, surrounded by family, trees, Castles, Orks and
horses.
John has a great vision for what he wants from each shot and has a great respect for his cast
and crew, which means a lot to me.
I look forward to our next opportunity to work together.
You often work in large, important international casts, what is the criterion with which you
choose your roles?
I would say that I am very fortunate in most of the roles I get cast in.
A perfect scenario, is having enough screentime to share a characters personality with the
viewers. Having enough time to develop a backstory and even better if having the
opportunity to reach those emotional highs and lows.
I am not an actor who gets starstruck by big names, so whether a big budget or low, it is
always my goal to be a professional and to work alongside other true professionals.
You have worked with foreign and Italian directors, do you find any differences between
their ways of working?
There are definitely cultural differences when working in different Countries.
How productions work, do vary from Country to Country and that adds to the journey of the
development of the character. Each director has a style or approach to how they wish to
direct their actors. Some can be more stuck in their choices than others and that is where
diplomacy places a big role in how to get the best from all for the production.
DIG ME NO GRAVE is a Western-Inspired-Thriller that was presented at the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals, how emotional did this achievement give you, can you tell me about it?
It’s always wonderful when a film that you have been a part of gets recognition, but personally, I am more satisfied if the piece connects with its viewers. Dig Me No Grave is a great piece of Cinema and being cast as Scott Parker Snr by Ranjeet was such an iconic character to portray, especially as he was based upon a real family member of the writer Gary Piazza.
I feel Dig Me No Grave will go on to great things.
So many roles, so many premieres and so many travels, how do you reconcile all this with your family life?
I have a very supportive wife and family. They are there for the highs and the lows, that are a big part of this business. Of course if it’s possible to take my family with me to any Premieres then I do, but it’s not always finacially viable.
Is there a character in your acting career that you had to play despite being completely opposite to your personality and how did you manage it?
I remember portraying a character on stage in a Rock and Roll show called The King of Liverpool ,back in the 90’s after I just left Drama school. It was based on the life of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes in Liverpool during the Merseybeat era.
They where the big group to follow and Ringo Starr was their drummer before leaving to join the Beatles. Rory, whos real name was Alan Caldwell, suffered with a terrible stammer, but when he took on his stage personna of Rory, the stammer disappeared and he became a great showman.
As I am quite a quiet person, taking on this role was a challenge, because, I then had to not only portray the humble Alan, but also step into the showman shoes of Rory. Singing, dancing, high kicks and splits where all a part of this characters development. This may sound strange to some people, but every night before going on to the stage I would talk to the spirit of Rory and ask for his guidance to do him justice and I believe it worked. It turned out to be my one theatre character that I felt totally at one with. Very fond memories.
We have known each other for a long time, and I admire you a lot, because despite your numerous successes you are always a simple, approachable person, what is your secret for not being overwhelmed by success?
Ah, thank you for your generous words.
When I became an actor, I never entered into it for riches. Yes of course it’s nice when the projects are well paid, but the true payment or reward for me is hitting that level of connection with the character, knowing that the Director and Producer are satisfied that they cast the right actor for the role. My parents, brought me up to respect others and that is what I try to do not only on set but in all walks of life.
Success to me is a state of mind and heart and not a pound sign.
Obligatory question, what are your next projects?
I have written a screenplay called The Retribution which is based on a musical drama by the
same name. I wrote and produced the musical drama about 30 years ago and then decided to get it into a
version for film without the songs.So that one big project that I am hoping to get produced.
I have also just started working with a team to produce a short horror but it’s in early stages.
I’m involved in a couple of big productions in India and London, so exciting times ahead.
As always, I spread my wings wide and most times come up trumps.
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