Previously, he has starred on stage in Les Mis, and he is currently reprising the greenest role since kermit; Shrek.
Steffan Harri talks pre-show superstitions, heeding advice and safeguarding the future of theatre with Total MK.
It's an interesting read, so grab a cuppa and settle back with the man behind the green mask...
Tell us about your first memory of the theatre
My first memory of the theatre was performing at my youth theatre school back in Mid Wales. I made some of my closest friends and I maintained these friendships throughout high school.
One of my favourite performances back then was a sketch about bird flu and we had a huge chicken on stage and I remember it was such a wonderfully written sketch and had the audience in stitches.
And the moment when you realised the theatre was your calling
I always used to enjoy performing from a young age at cultural events back in Wales and at the Youth Theatre and the Young Farmers’ Association.
But growing up on a farm in Mid Wales, there was always the expectation that I would take over on the farm.
I wanted to see if I had a future in acting as I was enjoying performing on a smaller scale. I went to the Arts Educational School on a summer programme and then I did Youth Music Theatre UK over the summer and I decided that I wanted to give theatre a real go professionally and that was when I auditioned for drama school.
Any dreadful calamities, or funny happenings on stage that you would care to share with us?
Probably one of my favourite moments was when I was in Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre in London.
At the end of the first act, during One Day More, there is usually someone waving a big red flag right at the back. One matinee I was covering Enjolras and I looked back and there was no one with a flag there at all. I kept looking back and he just wasn’t there.
The curtain came down we all went backstage and the flag bearer was fast asleep underneath his desk!
Which stage actor, living or dead, would you most like to meet, and what question would you ask them?
David Jason from Only Fools and Horses, one of my icons and someone I looked up to growing up.
I would have to ask him how many takes that bar scene took – in the scene where Del Boy falls through the bar holding his wine glass!
Do you have any superstitions, or pre-performance routines?
I never did have any superstitions until I took on Shrek. I now have to put on my left shoe on first, my left glove first and I always leave the dressing room at 6:58. It’s something that’s just creeped into my habits and I’ve ended up doing it every week.
The best piece of advice given to you when you started in the business
A friend of mine who’s been in Phantom of the Opera for nearly 30 years has said to always be true to yourself and to be yourself no matter how tough things get.
At my graduation from Guildford School of Acting, they also said that if the industry doesn’t love you as much as you love the industry, then that’s when it’s time to do something else.
What do you think has been your steepest learning curve
A couple of years ago after I finished the first tour of Shrek I remember getting to three different finals for three different West End finals in the space of about a week and a half.
Because I got so excited about all three projects it was such a shame that they didn’t come through – but it made me want to work even harder and to strive for the next job.
How do you fill your spare time while on tour
A lot of my time on tour is spent at the theatre because of the full-on makeup schedule so I try to rest as much as I can when I’m not there.
I like to go to the gym, I’m into my gaming (I always have my PlayStation with me on tour!), I watch a bit of Netflix, and when I’m close by I’ll try to visit as many friends and family as I can as it can be such a bubble on tour so it’s good to have some escapism.
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Nerves or excitement? Which takes over just before the curtain rises?
For me its nerves. It’s only before the start of the show and once I’ve done the intro and the first number, Big Bright Beautiful World, that I calm down and I’m totally fine.
But there are always some butterflies in my stomach as it’s important to open the show well and get the show up on its feet.
How can the future of theatre be safeguarded? What would you do to entice new blood to audiences?
I think one of the most important things for the future of theatre is funding.
I was fortunate enough to go to drama school with funding and without that I would have never gone to study. Especially now, I think we need the funding more than ever as you need the funding to invest in grassroots theatre and into new forms and genuine risk-taking productions.
We have to keep upgrading theatres as well, such as improving disability access. I’m very proud that Shrek has captioned, signed and audio-described shows and I really enjoy that we can do that.
Now tell us about the three favourite roles your have played so far, and what makes them special.
> Charley Kringas in Merrily We Roll Along at drama school
I found it really special because of the friendships I made in that show in my third year of drama school. I still have those strong bonds now with those people.
It is such a well-written musical and the number Franklin Shepard Inc. used to scare me but excite me as it was such a famous song but it’s one of my dream roles to play professionally.
> Sir Lancelot in Spamalot in the West End
It is such an iconic part that John Cleese made famous in the Monty Python films. It’s also such a diverse part which pushed my ability to act and really tested me with my accents so it was a real joy to explore that piece. We could also ad lib so it would change every night!
> Shrek in the Shrek the Musical!
Shrek is one of those parts that only comes along once in a career. It’s a complete transformation physically and mentally and it’s just such a privilege to take over the part.
I’m the third person to play the part full time in the UK, and I think I’m also the youngest to play the part full time, so it’s a real privilege and I’m enjoying every second of it!
Finally, why should people come and see Shrek The Musical…
It’s the perfect family musical and it’s not just for the young, there’s plenty for adults too.
It’s so colourful, the costumes and set are just incredible; we’ve even got a 14-foot dragon that looks just like the film. The audience reaction every night is brilliant and at the heart of it is a fantastic message about being true to yourself.
In one performance, there’s a part where Shrek calls himself ugly and one night a little girl in the audience replied, “You’re not ugly, Shrek”, she definitely got the message!
The musical also expands on the film, looking more in depth at the characters and their backstory which is really interesting. You can expect the most fantastic night for the whole family.
> Shrek is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Sunday (August 5).
To book your tickets click here
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