I have heard various reasons why people had a yearning for a career on the stage but Jamie Mawson’s strange encounter beats them all, writes Michael Holland...
‘When I was fifteen,’ he begins, ‘I went to see an immersive performance by Punchdrunk at Battersea Power Station. Whilst in the lift, a performer said, “You can explore as far as your imagination can go”, and asked who wasn’t afraid. I raised my hand and was then swiftly kicked out of the lift.
‘I then had to navigate the immersive journey of the show alone in the dark. At one point I crawled through a fireplace and discovered an actor eating multiple apples.
‘This experience made me see a completely different side to performance art and how big our imaginations can be when given a shake-up.’
I think Jamie’s family were also shaken up when he returned home and told them he wanted to be an actor. Of course, they had reservations at first but, he tells me, ‘As soon as they saw how much I loved it, they became very supportive.’
Jamie opted for the iconic East 15 Acting School where Joan Littlewood’s legendary workshops changed the future of theatre and which has turned out some of Britain’s best actors for decades.
They prepare their students for any acting role, as Jamie knows well: ‘We once spent three weeks in character recreating a Russian gulag, and building a road to Moscow on the school’s grounds,’ he remembers. ‘I also once had to spend two hours a week for six weeks pretending to be a hippopotamus. It really was an experience!’
An experience that has made Jamie fearless in what roles he takes on.
‘I once did a gender-swapped Beauty and The Beast with five actors where I played Beau (Belle). I loved the collaboration involved in creating the show.
‘The writer played The Beast and the company devised the entire show… I love the two-way energy between the actors and the audience. You both feed off each other.
‘The feeling of having the audience on your side really puts the wind in your sails.’
Jamie is now rehearsing for the Southwark Playhouse Christmas show, Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch, a musical parody written by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx, which will tour the UK in 2024.
Jamie has been working with the same theatre company for seven years, so the part of Prince Eric was written for Jamie. ‘My part is very different from the Disney version; my Prince Eric is excitable, ridiculous, a bit clueless, well-intentioned but useless – a classic fop!’ He claims before adding that he also plays other parts.
The press blurb claims: ‘Disney Diva, Ursula, gives her take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea. With an original hot pop soundtrack and trademark filthy humour, it’s time to take the plunge and dive into this year’s hottest night out.
Cruella told her side, and Maleficent’s had her moment. Now the legendary queer queen is ready to spill, in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers.’
Having read earlier reviews of Unfortunate I can tell that this is going to be the perfect antidote to saccharine Christmas shows. I’ve booked my tickets already.
Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, Elephant & Castle, SE11 4RX from 8th December – 17th February. Times: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 19.45
Thursday & Saturday: 14.30 & 19.45
Friday: 17.00 & 20.30 Admission: £16 – £38
Booking: www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
