Theatre Bears: Hi Richard! Thank you for agreeing to this interview! You trained at Mountview Academy. Did you enjoy your time there and how did it prepare you for life in the theatre?
Richard Carson: I really enjoyed my time at Mountview, once most of first year was done! It was really hard to adjust at the start but once that change happened it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was lucky with the shows and teachers I had so I felt it really prepped me for the industry!
TB: Is there any role you performed in training that you’d love to play again now and would you play it any differently?
RC: Two roles at Mountview I completely adored and would love to do again. Robert in 'Company', and John in 'The Hired Man'. Both huge roles and really challenging, and that's what I love, a challenge!
TB: You were most recently in Mamma Mia. What was the most challenging part of the role for you and why?
RC: Playing Sky in Mamma Mia has been a real challenge mentally. He doesn't do too much in comparison to the dynamos so it's been tough to keep my creative juices flowing.
TB: You’ve performed in a variety of diverse shows, including Wicked and Miss Saigon. What other shows would you love to be in and are there any specific roles you’d want to play?
RC: I've been lucky with the shows I've done but yes there are some that I'd still love to play. Les Miserables is always something I'd want to do. But I'm always interested in new theatre, there's something very exciting about creating new work.
TB: What has been your favourite role to date?
RC: Favourite role - Chris [in Miss Saigon], by far. There's so much to him it was so exciting to throw everything at it. A part I hope is available another day.
TB: You went on tour with Wicked. How does being on tour vary from being in a show in London and which do you prefer?
RC: Being on tour is very different as your cast feels more like a family. You do everything together. But being in London means you have your own personal life and home to go back to. It's tough to choose! Both have their ups and downs.
TB: What has been your favourite song to perform, either professionally or in training?
RC: In training, it would probably be the opening number of Reefer Madness. So bizarre but so much fun!!! And professionally I'd say Dancing Through Life [from Wicked]. That number is so brilliant, and oozes confidence, I loved it!
TB: Is there any performer who you really hope to work with one day?
RC: Jon Jon [Briones] was a phenomenal influence back in Saigon. If I got the chance to work with him again, I'd jump at it.
TB: If you could play a female role in any show, which would it be and why?
RC: Give it a few years but Rose from Gypsy would be a dream female role. Like I've mentioned before, if there's a lot to a character then that's what excites me, and I believe she's a complex as it gets.
TB: Thank you very much for your time!
Richard Carson: I really enjoyed my time at Mountview, once most of first year was done! It was really hard to adjust at the start but once that change happened it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was lucky with the shows and teachers I had so I felt it really prepped me for the industry!
TB: Is there any role you performed in training that you’d love to play again now and would you play it any differently?
RC: Two roles at Mountview I completely adored and would love to do again. Robert in 'Company', and John in 'The Hired Man'. Both huge roles and really challenging, and that's what I love, a challenge!
TB: You were most recently in Mamma Mia. What was the most challenging part of the role for you and why?
RC: Playing Sky in Mamma Mia has been a real challenge mentally. He doesn't do too much in comparison to the dynamos so it's been tough to keep my creative juices flowing.
TB: You’ve performed in a variety of diverse shows, including Wicked and Miss Saigon. What other shows would you love to be in and are there any specific roles you’d want to play?
RC: I've been lucky with the shows I've done but yes there are some that I'd still love to play. Les Miserables is always something I'd want to do. But I'm always interested in new theatre, there's something very exciting about creating new work.
TB: What has been your favourite role to date?
RC: Favourite role - Chris [in Miss Saigon], by far. There's so much to him it was so exciting to throw everything at it. A part I hope is available another day.
TB: You went on tour with Wicked. How does being on tour vary from being in a show in London and which do you prefer?
RC: Being on tour is very different as your cast feels more like a family. You do everything together. But being in London means you have your own personal life and home to go back to. It's tough to choose! Both have their ups and downs.
TB: What has been your favourite song to perform, either professionally or in training?
RC: In training, it would probably be the opening number of Reefer Madness. So bizarre but so much fun!!! And professionally I'd say Dancing Through Life [from Wicked]. That number is so brilliant, and oozes confidence, I loved it!
TB: Is there any performer who you really hope to work with one day?
RC: Jon Jon [Briones] was a phenomenal influence back in Saigon. If I got the chance to work with him again, I'd jump at it.
TB: If you could play a female role in any show, which would it be and why?
RC: Give it a few years but Rose from Gypsy would be a dream female role. Like I've mentioned before, if there's a lot to a character then that's what excites me, and I believe she's a complex as it gets.
TB: Thank you very much for your time!