Sebastien Torkia is currently starring as Mr Wormwood in Matilda, which is wowing audiences at Milton Keynes Theatre.
His wide range of theatre credits include the original West End casts of La Cage Aux Folles, Guys and Dolls, Saturday Night Fever, Martin Guerre and Grease.
He has also stage-stepped in Sweeney Todd, as Ed in The Lion King, A Streetcar Named Desire, and too many other to mention.
He talked theatre with Total MK and recalled a kiss that knocked out a crown....
Tell us about your first memory of the theatre…
I think my first memory of going to the theatre was when I was about 10 years old and I went to see a ballet “The Three Musketeers” in South Africa, where we were living at the time. I remember being mesmerized by the spectacle and energy of it all.
And the moment when you realised the theatre was your calling?
I was about 8 when I decided I wanted to be an actor. I was inspired by all the musical films that I watched on TV, with stars like Gene Kelly and John Travolta in.
Any dreadful calamities, or funny happenings on stage that you would care to share with us?
I once had to kiss a girl passionately after a dance and going in for the kiss a little too forcefully, I knocked out the crown of her front tooth!
Which stage actor, living or dead, would you most like to meet, and what question would you ask them?
I would love to meet Mark Rylance. I would ask him what he thinks makes a great actor.
Do you have any superstitions, or pre-performance routines?
I don’t really have any superstitions, but I do find that I like to have a regular routine once I get into the theatre and start preparing.
The best piece of advice given to you when you started in the business?
I think the best advice I’ve heard is to never compare your career or path in this industry to anyone else.
What do you think has been your steepest learning curve?
Learning that mistakes help to get things right is always a difficult lesson.
How do you fill your spare time while on tour?
I like to visit as much of the places I’m in, as well as doing what I need to stay in shape.
Nerves or excitement? Which takes over just before the curtain rises?
A combination of both really, but I always try to make the nerves a positive thing.
How can the future of theatre be safeguarded? What would you do to entice new blood to audiences?
Making sure that the quality of theatre is always top-notch will help to bring people back to theatre time and again and spread the word.
Social media promotion is also very important nowadays and making sure to attract the younger generations with stories that will interest them.
Now tell us about the three favourite roles your have played so far, and what makes them special.
Benoit in Martin Guerre was my 1st principal role in the West End, so that was special and he was a vulnerable, stuttering, club-footed village fool… a great character part!
Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever was a favourite. An iconic role, where I had the opportunity to really dance, sing and act, all in one role.
Mr Wormwood in Matilda The Musical is a great role to play. It’s always fun to play a baddie, but with him there is also the comedic and very physical side to the character.
Finally, what are the main reasons everyone should see the show?
Matilda is a brilliantly written and constructed musical with genuinely something for everyone, young and old. The amount of awards and records it’s broken is testament to that.
Tickets for Matilda at MK Theatre can be booked here
Never miss leisure news in Milton Keynes - Follow us on www.twitter.com/thisistotalmk
And on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thisistotalmk
