In the run up to the first performance of our new production "If I Go" we sat down with some of our cast and crew and attempted to find out a little bit about them and what makes them tick! The first of our interviews profiles Paris Bailey, who plays Will.
Q. How did you come to be London and what prompted you to become an actor?
A. A mate from Penzance said I should come up and check it out (it being big city life), he'd made the move 4/5 years previous...The theatre life never truly occurred till I met new friends who were chasing the same dream, we're all still chasing!!
Q. What are your thoughts on “If I Go” – What appealed to you about the story?
A. "If I Go" came to me as a potential workshop, I honestly thought it may be just a chance to read some ideas and maybe impress toward an audition, now we're 6 weeks away and I still haven't work shopped a thing..
Q. Tell us a bit about your character and the journey they go on during the play.
A. I play Will Bradbury, he's an estate agent and the coolest guy I know!! He would say he is the glue that holds the friendship group together but in reality it is a little way off that...! It's impossible to talk about his journey without Becky, they ying and yang, ebb and flow, the banter is endless!
Q. Do you have any favourite scenes / lines in the play and how have they influenced how you’ve played the role?
A. Personally, there's a few moments in the play which I will be looking forward too backstage but I couldn't possibly ruin the show in this Q&A. However, there is a great exchange about Anne Widdecombe which always makes me giggle.
Q. Do you have any particular rituals or superstitions prior to going on stage?
A. I don't have any rituals really, I just try to keep focused and professional, keep the quality of a high level.
Q. If you weren’t working as an actor – what would you be doing instead?
A. If I wasn't an actor, I’d be behind a bar. Funny how people say that it's kinda like being onstage...it's really, really not!
Q. What particular roles would you like to perform or shows would you like to perform in? A. Iago in Othello, I have always looked for a way of doing that, couple of things in the past have slipped away for one reason or another, Talk Radio and 120 Days Of Sodom, they would of been fun. And controversial, that's always fun to play
Q. Tell us a little bit about some of the other projects you’re currently working on…
A. I am currently 2 weeks away from Hardcross at The London Theatre, and also working successfully with Paperfeet & DramatizeCo touring Surrey and London with 'Lend An Ear', we have The Rose Theatre in Kingston and Etcetera in Camden coming up in 2016.
Thanks to Paris for taking time out to answer some of our probing questions. Find out about Will by buying tickets for "if I Go" which are on sale now at www.proforca.co.uk. "Hard Cross" is on at the The London Theatre in New Cross on 16th and 17th April and you can find Paris on Twitter @williamparisbai
Links
- Dramatize Theatre Co
- Paperfeet Theatre
- Hard Cross - Tickets