 Former So Solid member, Ashley Walters has successfully turned his hand to acting and the talented father of three has appeared in a number of films including Bullet Boy, Life and Lyric and Get Rich or Die Trying. He has also made a number of stage appearances. Afridiziak’s Theatre News caught up with him during rehearsals for In the Red and Brown Water at the Young Vic, London where he shares the challenges of working with water.
What has it been like working on In the Red and Brown Water?
It’s exciting. It’s different for me, I suppose, to a lot of the stuff that I have done before – it’s been a challenge.
How has it been a challenge?
Well, because the play is in water so you’re fighting against that a lot of the time and obviously the American accent as well. Basically just being in the round with no props or anything and just an empty space that you have to fill; that’s hard work.
You are currently making a name for yourself as a theatre actor; do you plan to continue doing that?
If that’s what it looks that, that’s all good. I didn’t set out to become a theatre actor or to make people think that, I’m just working I suppose. I like to keep a balance between doing film and stage because I think stage is the best training you can have as an actor. I think a lot of actors who are making films or big movies tend to go back to theatre to keep your game up - you meet some interesting people here.
What attracted you to In the Red and Brown Water script?
The nature of it was different to what I had been doing previously and I don’t like to go from one job to the next doing the same thing. Before this I was doing Oxford Street at the Royal Court playing Darrell the bad boy. Coming into this I got to be someone else and flip the game with it – I like to do that.
 What are your future plans?
Straight after this I’m starting a film called Fight Back with Ving Rhames and Vinnie Jones…and some other people. [Smiles]
Are you looking forward to that?
Yeah it’s good - it going to be hard work. I’m looking forward to it and I’m not because I’ve got two months, it’s an action movie, and I’ve got two months martial arts training and I’ll be flying back and forth - it’s shooting in Budapest and Pinewood Studios over here. It’s going to be a lot of travelling and me missing my kids, but I’m getting paid a lot of money to do it.
That’s the down side to acting, right?
Yeah. I’m a family person - I like being with my family. If I had my way I would bring them everywhere with me but they’ve all got there own lives as well. It’s hard, but it’s part and parcel of the job.
Finally, is there any specify that you would like the audience to take away from the play?
Yeah, definitely! The main thing for me, and it is something that is so relevant at the moment that’s why it doesn’t matter where the play is set or whose in it, is about following your dreams and taking opportunities when they’re there….You have to capitalise on everything when you can and have a plan for your life; that’s what they play says to me. |
