The House on Cold Hill is currently showing at Milton Keynes Theatre.
The chilling story is from the clever pen of best-selling author Peter James, who says that this delivery is bereft of headless horsemen and grey ladies: "It's a very modern ghost story," he said, On top of that The House On Cold Hill is a thriller and audiences are in for lots of shocks and twists and turns, so I hope they'll be getting some nice scares along the way."
Charlie Clements, whose portrayal as Bradley Branning in Eastenders bagged him many awards, will star in the work.
Since leaving Albert Square, Charlie trained further - graduating with a Masters from RADA, he has since enjoyed numerous theatre roles and radio plays across the BBC network.
He will be joined on stage by Strictly winner, and star of Heartbeat and Holby City, Joe McFadden, actress Rita Simons (Roxy Mitchell in Eastenders), and Persephone Swales-Dawson, aka villainess Noc Blake in Hollyoaks is making her stage debut.
Charlie went On Stage with Total MK...
Tell us about your first memory of the theatre
Went to see Wind in the Willows at (I think) The National. The middle of the stage rotated upwards and revealed Moley’s underground house and I just remember thinking that was the most incredible thing I’d seen!!
And the moment when you realised the theatre was your calling
Going back to the story above – watching it thinking, even at a young age, I want to be a part of that. Also, putting on little shows with my Saturday drama class; I used to enjoy the thrill of entertaining people.
Any dreadful calamities, or funny happenings on stage that you would care to share with us?
I was in a show once when the other missed his cue to come back on to the stage to interrupt me… I waited and waited and eventually he re-appeared. In the interval he told me he’d forgotten he was meant to be on, and had gone to the toilet!!
Which stage actor, living or dead, would you most like to meet, and what question would you ask them?
Joaquin Phoenix – can you give me an acting lesson….
Do you have any superstitions, or pre-performance routines?
No superstitions…I listen to music in my dressing room to get me in the mood to go on, all the while doing some vocal warm ups and some stretches.
The best piece of advice given to you when you started in the business
Set aside your tax money straight away. Also, it’s fun to fail!
What do you think has been your steepest learning curve
Being on one of the country’s most well known TV shows with little to no previous experience of working in television… You learn very quickly, you have to!
How do you fill your spare time while on tour
I like to find a gym in each town or city. Tour is a good time to get back into shape, or try to. I like walking so I spend a lot of time exploring the place I’m in, finding little gems, taking photos etc…
Nerves or excitement? Which takes over just before the curtain rises?
Equal amounts of both
How can the future of theatre be safeguarded? What would you do to entice new blood to audiences?
Get kids to the theatre from a young ge! Show them magic and they’ll want more, just make it accessible! Tell strong, interesting stories with strong characters people can relate to.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the disposable income to go the theatre so perhaps one performance a week could be balloted.
And finally, explain the attraction of The House on Cold Hill for us.
We’ve got a brilliant cast telling a modern day ghost thriller adapted from one of the biggest thriller authors in the world. There’s suspense and twists and turns along the way which hopefully keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
The House on Cold Hill plays at Milton Keynes Theatre from April 15 - April 20.
To book tickets click here
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