Coming soon...
"I shied away from doing a three year [university] course 'cause I did a lot
of theatre and had already met a lot of people who were doing the three year
course in London, and I just find three fucking months of animal studies to
be pointless. I know a lot of actors who've been to RADA and they find it just
as difficult as everyone else who tries to make it. I'm sorry RADA, I'm sorry
Guildhall, I'm sorry Central, but that's three years of my life I'm never gonna
fucking get back. I'm doing alright without it.
So I did a one year course called Rep College, and what attracted me to the course was the fact that they ran it like a repertoire company. What attracted me to it was that it ran over a year, you did 14 plays in a year, you got three weeks holiday, and they live by the philosophy that the best way of learning is having you doing it. And I completely agree with that. And you learn about yourself when you're thrown into situations you've never been in before and doing 14 plays over the course of the year, with all different styles, and it was just...there were a lot of actors there that were pretty shit, but in learning by your own mistakes, you also learned what not to do. So that's what attracted me to that and I got a lot from it, and I went back to National New Theatre after Rep College.
And even though it was a great college and I learned a lot of skills from it, I was still in Redding. Not a lot of casting directors or agents come to Redding, even though it's not very far from central London. So I was there for a year after I'd finished the course, sort of biting my nails, going 'what the fuck do I do now'. And I'd already done the three week course in the National New Theatre, which was great fun. And then I found a flyer out in the street that the National New Theatre [was doing] Threepenny Opera and I love Brecht, I love the politics behind Brecht, I love the music, the jazz roots that come out of Mack the Knife that inspired a lot of American music, including The Doors, and I'd already played Mack the Knife with the same youth theatre I did the Shakespeare plays and I loved the character. He was a likeable villainy bastard, which attracts me anyway. The songs were not sung by the character, they were sung by the actors who stepped out of character to explain something to the audience with a bit of music, and that's the sort of musical theatre that I like.
I thought to myself, I know I can get that role, that fucking role is me, and I called them up and said, hi I was in National New Theatre, I'm 21, and after 21, I know you can't really do anything, but you haven't sent me any sort of correspondence regarding any shows even though I'd done a three week course – they were supposed call and let you know about auditions, but for some odd reason, I got lost. It was lucky I found the leaflet. And they said, oh yeah, you are in the system, we are still auditioning, and after three auditions they gave me the role. And it was my first show on the West End, playing Mack the Knife, one of my favorite characters, doing music that I love and that's when I met my first agent, who picked me up and it went from there, really.
And I'm quite proud of that training in the sense that it was semi-self-instigated, the fact that it was a degree of initiative, rather than do fucking three years and having the school work as an agent for you and do all the work for you and pamper you. I think that's why so many actors and actresses and dysfunctional, because they get so pampered in drama school and all of a sudden they're dropped into after three years of being looked after and they go nuts. It was something I gradually got used to and gradually learned and gradually accepted. It's probably why I don't smell as much of desperation as other actors and actresses I've met."
So I did a one year course called Rep College, and what attracted me to the course was the fact that they ran it like a repertoire company. What attracted me to it was that it ran over a year, you did 14 plays in a year, you got three weeks holiday, and they live by the philosophy that the best way of learning is having you doing it. And I completely agree with that. And you learn about yourself when you're thrown into situations you've never been in before and doing 14 plays over the course of the year, with all different styles, and it was just...there were a lot of actors there that were pretty shit, but in learning by your own mistakes, you also learned what not to do. So that's what attracted me to that and I got a lot from it, and I went back to National New Theatre after Rep College.
And even though it was a great college and I learned a lot of skills from it, I was still in Redding. Not a lot of casting directors or agents come to Redding, even though it's not very far from central London. So I was there for a year after I'd finished the course, sort of biting my nails, going 'what the fuck do I do now'. And I'd already done the three week course in the National New Theatre, which was great fun. And then I found a flyer out in the street that the National New Theatre [was doing] Threepenny Opera and I love Brecht, I love the politics behind Brecht, I love the music, the jazz roots that come out of Mack the Knife that inspired a lot of American music, including The Doors, and I'd already played Mack the Knife with the same youth theatre I did the Shakespeare plays and I loved the character. He was a likeable villainy bastard, which attracts me anyway. The songs were not sung by the character, they were sung by the actors who stepped out of character to explain something to the audience with a bit of music, and that's the sort of musical theatre that I like.
I thought to myself, I know I can get that role, that fucking role is me, and I called them up and said, hi I was in National New Theatre, I'm 21, and after 21, I know you can't really do anything, but you haven't sent me any sort of correspondence regarding any shows even though I'd done a three week course – they were supposed call and let you know about auditions, but for some odd reason, I got lost. It was lucky I found the leaflet. And they said, oh yeah, you are in the system, we are still auditioning, and after three auditions they gave me the role. And it was my first show on the West End, playing Mack the Knife, one of my favorite characters, doing music that I love and that's when I met my first agent, who picked me up and it went from there, really.
And I'm quite proud of that training in the sense that it was semi-self-instigated, the fact that it was a degree of initiative, rather than do fucking three years and having the school work as an agent for you and do all the work for you and pamper you. I think that's why so many actors and actresses and dysfunctional, because they get so pampered in drama school and all of a sudden they're dropped into after three years of being looked after and they go nuts. It was something I gradually got used to and gradually learned and gradually accepted. It's probably why I don't smell as much of desperation as other actors and actresses I've met."
A
Celebrity Close-Ups Exclusive Interview
by: Brenda Meyer
For now, however, his path has him firmly in Britain. 'Torchwood', a spin-off of one of Britain's longest running and most beloved shows, 'Doctor Who', just completed its second season, and is gearing up for a third (a five-hour mini-series that will air sometime next year) before rolling right into season four. Unlike the family friendly 'Doctor Who', 'Torchwood' aims for a more adult audience, with episodes that deal with messy issues like death and loss betrayal and relationships and sex, all framed in the confines of a semi-campy/semi-serious SciFi show. Part of what sets 'Torchwood' apart from 'Doctor Who' is the fluid sexuality of each of the characters, and the matter-of-fact same-sex relationship that Gareth's character, Ianto, enjoys with John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness.
The relationship has translated into a large gay fanbase for Gareth, including a spot on AfterElton.com's annual Hot 100 List. When I bring up the list, Gareth's eyes light up mischievously. "I did beat Brad Pitt and David Beckham. Just for the fucking record."
Not too shabby for a man who wasn't even on last year's list.
He's also very proud to be known as a gay icon, even though he's straight. "As a straight man, I'm just as flattered being a gay icon as
I
would be being a straight icon or whatever," he shrugs. "I'm of a mindset
and philosophy that same sex relationships just aren't a fucking issue
for me."
To his credit, he doesn't shy away from the subject; in fact, he's pretty passionate about making his opinion known. "It's not as much of an issue [in the U.K.] at all. I don't get it, I don't understand why it's controversial, I don't understand why it's anyone's business or why it becomes anyone's problem where you stick your dick," he states, with bracing candor. "Because it's not an issue for me, I don't really see us as pioneers. If we are viewed as pioneers, I just feel sorry for the people that are just coming 'round, because the wankers should have grown up much longer ago.
"There's nothing wrong with [two men kissing] and the fact that people are interested in [Jack and Ianto's] relationship – I'd like that to be because of the chemistry. That's the reason I want it to be popular, not because, oh my God, it's a SciFi show with a gay relationship. I know people are going to be like that, but because it's not an issue for me, I sort of haven't got time for people it is an issue for."
He's also quite content to let the writers determine Jack and Ianto's romantic future, whatever that may be: "I see the relationship very much sort of the way I deal with life... Let's just live every moment for now, because now might be all that you get. It's [the writers'] job to write the future of the characters, and I'm quite enjoying the fact that I don't know where it's going, and I'm enjoying the relationship onscreen and I'm enjoying the chemistry. Like any relationship when someone's happy, you want to stay with them as long as possible, but that doesn't always work out, which again is sort of why I'm like, they're there, they're together at the moment, enjoy it."
He's also quite effusive when talking about his 'Torchwood' co-stars. He describes John Barrowman as "awesome", and credits John for creating a relaxed atmosphere on the set. "You hear a lot of horror stories about leading actors on a show who are so into themselves and so cold and diva-ish that it makes things difficult," Gareth says. "But John is the complete opposite. He's a huge character, he's bigger than life, he's funny, he's completely himself and never pretends to be anyone he's not, and he brings out the best in everyone. And so, even though some people might think it'd be scary working with such a whirlwind of a character, he's just got a personality that charms everyone. I've never met anyone that doesn't like him."
He also has a lot of praise for Burn Gorman, who played Dr. Owen Harper in the first two seasons of 'Torchwood' before his character was killed off during the season two finale. "I love Burn, I was so upset when [Owen] died. He's so fucking good; he's such a good actor that whenever Burn is doing a scene, I watch him so closely, because I'm such an admirer of his skill. The character's unapologetic and so is he, he's completely unapologetic about who he is. He's a very pure person and I'm going to miss him a lot."
But the bulk of his admiration is reserved for fellow Welsh actor, Kai Owen, who plays Rhys, the long-suffering husband of Eve Myles' character, Gwen Cooper. "Kai Owen's performance [as Rhys] is just Oscar-worthy. He is brilliant. People need to give him more work," Gareth enthuses. "I'd love to do more scenes with him, because there is something going on between Ianto and Rhys – not a sexual thing, but there is something there. It's that mutual Welsh-ness, I think. I think they're from very similar places, Rhys and Ianto...and I think Ianto would recognize that and I think they would have a helluva time in a bar. I think they'd have a helluva chat."
He goes on to rhapsodize over British television in general, saying that his two guest episodes on the two-part season four finale of 'Doctor Who' were "overwhelming and brilliant, and being able to fire a machine gun at a Dalek...it was a really special moment for me when the big rolling doors opened and a Dalek came through."
We also spent a good deal of time talking about what makes British shows so good, and he gives a lot of credit to people like 'The Office' and 'Extras' creator, Ricky Gervais, and 'Spaced' co-creator, Simon Pegg. "Shows like 'The Office' and 'Spaced' – they made a point of not going any longer than two series (seasons) because after two series, it's usually dead, and you have to be sort of, you have to take it to a place where the show was never meant to go, and that's why Ricky Gervais said no to a third series. I think he's a fucking genius, I think Simon Pegg is as well. I loved 'Spaced'. He and [fellow 'Spaced' co-creator] Edgar Wright have got some sincere ideas.
"And going back to the sincerity issue, it's the same in TV and film as it is in music. The more sincere an idea is, the more close to your heart, and the more personal it is, the more it...you get the sense that this someone has got something to say, the better the product. Whether it relates to you or not, it's just a better product."
He also has ambitions beyond simply acting: "I'd like to write and direct for theatre and I'd like to write and direct for TV and film as well. At the moment, acting is the thing I'm most advanced at, better at than most things, but I'd like to use that use the money that I've made from it to work on my own projects. I don’t really see myself starring in them, but I'd write myself cameos. And I'd like to write the music for them, and I'd like to direct them."
Given the grounded and honest way he seems to go about his life, there is I have no doubts that Gareth David-Lloyd will thrive, even in the harsh glare of the Hollywood spotlight.
Season 1 of 'Torchwood' is available on Amazon.com and Season 2 will be available on Sept. 16, 2008.
by: Brenda Meyer
For now, however, his path has him firmly in Britain. 'Torchwood', a spin-off of one of Britain's longest running and most beloved shows, 'Doctor Who', just completed its second season, and is gearing up for a third (a five-hour mini-series that will air sometime next year) before rolling right into season four. Unlike the family friendly 'Doctor Who', 'Torchwood' aims for a more adult audience, with episodes that deal with messy issues like death and loss betrayal and relationships and sex, all framed in the confines of a semi-campy/semi-serious SciFi show. Part of what sets 'Torchwood' apart from 'Doctor Who' is the fluid sexuality of each of the characters, and the matter-of-fact same-sex relationship that Gareth's character, Ianto, enjoys with John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness.
The relationship has translated into a large gay fanbase for Gareth, including a spot on AfterElton.com's annual Hot 100 List. When I bring up the list, Gareth's eyes light up mischievously. "I did beat Brad Pitt and David Beckham. Just for the fucking record."
Not too shabby for a man who wasn't even on last year's list.
He's also very proud to be known as a gay icon, even though he's straight. "As a straight man, I'm just as flattered being a gay icon as
I
would be being a straight icon or whatever," he shrugs. "I'm of a mindset
and philosophy that same sex relationships just aren't a fucking issue
for me." To his credit, he doesn't shy away from the subject; in fact, he's pretty passionate about making his opinion known. "It's not as much of an issue [in the U.K.] at all. I don't get it, I don't understand why it's controversial, I don't understand why it's anyone's business or why it becomes anyone's problem where you stick your dick," he states, with bracing candor. "Because it's not an issue for me, I don't really see us as pioneers. If we are viewed as pioneers, I just feel sorry for the people that are just coming 'round, because the wankers should have grown up much longer ago.
"There's nothing wrong with [two men kissing] and the fact that people are interested in [Jack and Ianto's] relationship – I'd like that to be because of the chemistry. That's the reason I want it to be popular, not because, oh my God, it's a SciFi show with a gay relationship. I know people are going to be like that, but because it's not an issue for me, I sort of haven't got time for people it is an issue for."
He's also quite content to let the writers determine Jack and Ianto's romantic future, whatever that may be: "I see the relationship very much sort of the way I deal with life... Let's just live every moment for now, because now might be all that you get. It's [the writers'] job to write the future of the characters, and I'm quite enjoying the fact that I don't know where it's going, and I'm enjoying the relationship onscreen and I'm enjoying the chemistry. Like any relationship when someone's happy, you want to stay with them as long as possible, but that doesn't always work out, which again is sort of why I'm like, they're there, they're together at the moment, enjoy it."
He's also quite effusive when talking about his 'Torchwood' co-stars. He describes John Barrowman as "awesome", and credits John for creating a relaxed atmosphere on the set. "You hear a lot of horror stories about leading actors on a show who are so into themselves and so cold and diva-ish that it makes things difficult," Gareth says. "But John is the complete opposite. He's a huge character, he's bigger than life, he's funny, he's completely himself and never pretends to be anyone he's not, and he brings out the best in everyone. And so, even though some people might think it'd be scary working with such a whirlwind of a character, he's just got a personality that charms everyone. I've never met anyone that doesn't like him."
He also has a lot of praise for Burn Gorman, who played Dr. Owen Harper in the first two seasons of 'Torchwood' before his character was killed off during the season two finale. "I love Burn, I was so upset when [Owen] died. He's so fucking good; he's such a good actor that whenever Burn is doing a scene, I watch him so closely, because I'm such an admirer of his skill. The character's unapologetic and so is he, he's completely unapologetic about who he is. He's a very pure person and I'm going to miss him a lot."
But the bulk of his admiration is reserved for fellow Welsh actor, Kai Owen, who plays Rhys, the long-suffering husband of Eve Myles' character, Gwen Cooper. "Kai Owen's performance [as Rhys] is just Oscar-worthy. He is brilliant. People need to give him more work," Gareth enthuses. "I'd love to do more scenes with him, because there is something going on between Ianto and Rhys – not a sexual thing, but there is something there. It's that mutual Welsh-ness, I think. I think they're from very similar places, Rhys and Ianto...and I think Ianto would recognize that and I think they would have a helluva time in a bar. I think they'd have a helluva chat."
He goes on to rhapsodize over British television in general, saying that his two guest episodes on the two-part season four finale of 'Doctor Who' were "overwhelming and brilliant, and being able to fire a machine gun at a Dalek...it was a really special moment for me when the big rolling doors opened and a Dalek came through."
We also spent a good deal of time talking about what makes British shows so good, and he gives a lot of credit to people like 'The Office' and 'Extras' creator, Ricky Gervais, and 'Spaced' co-creator, Simon Pegg. "Shows like 'The Office' and 'Spaced' – they made a point of not going any longer than two series (seasons) because after two series, it's usually dead, and you have to be sort of, you have to take it to a place where the show was never meant to go, and that's why Ricky Gervais said no to a third series. I think he's a fucking genius, I think Simon Pegg is as well. I loved 'Spaced'. He and [fellow 'Spaced' co-creator] Edgar Wright have got some sincere ideas.
"And going back to the sincerity issue, it's the same in TV and film as it is in music. The more sincere an idea is, the more close to your heart, and the more personal it is, the more it...you get the sense that this someone has got something to say, the better the product. Whether it relates to you or not, it's just a better product."
He also has ambitions beyond simply acting: "I'd like to write and direct for theatre and I'd like to write and direct for TV and film as well. At the moment, acting is the thing I'm most advanced at, better at than most things, but I'd like to use that use the money that I've made from it to work on my own projects. I don’t really see myself starring in them, but I'd write myself cameos. And I'd like to write the music for them, and I'd like to direct them."
Given the grounded and honest way he seems to go about his life, there is I have no doubts that Gareth David-Lloyd will thrive, even in the harsh glare of the Hollywood spotlight.
Season 1 of 'Torchwood' is available on Amazon.com and Season 2 will be available on Sept. 16, 2008.
MPAA
Accredited
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© Copyright - Celebrity Close-Ups™. All rights reserved.
WWW: http://www.celebritycloseups.com