Timothy Speyer has worked extensively in theatre, on stages all over the UK and abroad, with appearances in London’s West End, at the National Theatre and at Shakespeare’s Globe.
He recently completed his third season with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon and in 2010 was voted Best Featured Actor in a play, in the first ever Broadway World West End Theatre Awards for his performance in the Oliver award-winning West End production of The 39 Steps.
He has also appeared in National No.1 tours of The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, Horrible Histories, George’s Marvellous Medicine and Tom’s Midnight Garden, which makes him a perfect casting for David Walliams' Awful Auntie.
Timothy will play Aunt Alberta when it arrives at Milton Keynes Theatre next Wednesday (November 8).
He talked all things theatre with Total MK...
Tell us about your first memory of the theatre
My parents took me to see Shelia Hancock as Miss Hannigan in Annie. I was just amazed and inspired by her brilliance. I don’t really remember anything else about the show. It was in 1978!
And the moment when you realised the theatre was your calling
There wasn’t one really. I always enjoyed getting on stage through school and college but it was only after four years working in an office that I realised I needed to give acting a go.
Any dreadful calamities, or funny happenings on stage that you would care to share with us?
Yes I was once, during a quick change in a West End show, strapped to a steel cable and unable to make an entrance. I had to shout all my lines from the wings while they untied me!
Which stage actor, living or dead, would you most like to meet, and what question would you ask them?
Antony Hopkins. What’s the first thing you do in preparation for a new part?
Do you have any superstitions, or pre-performance routines?
No, none.
The best piece of advice given to you when you started in the business
Find a very understanding bank manager.
What do you think has been your steepest learning curve
Drama school maybe? Don’t know. Every job is a new learning curve I suppose.
How do you fill your spare time while on tour
With a show like this there is barely any spare time but we like to have a meal now and again, go to the cinema etc.
Nerves or excitement? Which takes over just before the curtain rises?
Bit of both. Always good to be a bit nervous.
How can the future of theatre be safeguarded? What would you do to entice new blood to audiences?
We need to keep subsidising the producing houses as that’s where actors, directors and designers etc show their craft and theatre should be more affordable for young audiences.
Finally, for those yet to take a ticket to Awful Auntie, sell the show…
It’s a wonderfully Roald Dahl-esque piece of drama that’s simply a great story with strong characters and a crazily grotesque title character. Awful doesn’t quite cover her…
It’s a charming story also, and a lovely designed great set – there’s a lot to like!
To book tickets for a performance, click here
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