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Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed actor Paul Hughes about his career, what he loves about performing, and highlights from his career.
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I took up acting late in life when auditioning for a play, on the recommendation of a friend, at The Rose Theatre in Kingston. Prior to this I had been active in the London advertising scene as well as ‘Stoozing’ a system of playing the money markets, and upon which a book was written detailing the ‘highs & lows’ of such a precarious lifestyle!
When did you first realise you wanted to be an actor?
Following my Rose Theatre debut I joined a local drama group and took on a number of roles with them. A year later I was hooked, it was now going to be an actor’s life for me!
What is your favourite thing about performing?
The honesty. To quote Sanford Meisner, ‘…acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances…’
What classes or training sessions have you taken to support your acting career?
A range of workshops and classes including, accent Implementation, Meisner technique, screen & stage Intensives, Noel Coward Masterclass, plus regular attendance at various acting workshops throughout London.
What was your first professional acting job?
It was for the TV show ‘Mafias Greatest Hits’ where I played the real life gangster ‘Tony Mirra’.
What was your most recent professional acting job?
I have just finished 47 performances at the London Palladium alongside such notable stars as Donny Osmond, Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Gary Wilmot and the Tiller Girls in ‘Pantoland at the Palladium’.
Tell me a favourite experience in your career. Something that stands out in your memories and makes you want to find more experiences like it.
I was shooting a feature film in Poland which also included a number of very well-known European actors. We were shooting at night in a disused tram factory and is was freezing cold. A long tracking shot was being set up whereby I would leave my ‘laboratory’ to administer the lifesaving vaccine.
It was technically difficult as I was talking as I walked some 30 meters with the camera following me at every turn. The director call ‘cut’ and I was ready to return to my mark. No need. He had what he wanted in the first take.
What was your toughest experience in your acting career?
My first major feature film on location in Tunisia, lots of crazy happenings on a daily basis! Mad times indeed!
Have you family and friends been supportive of your acting career?
Most certainly. It was a very good friend who persuaded me to go along to the Rose Theatre that first time. Without her none of this would have happened.
Tell me some career goals. What would you like to achieve?
Still in the game at 80, and it’s going to happen too.
Tell me something you were surprised by, something you had never realised about being a professional actor.
It makes you a better person.
What are words of advice you have for other aspiring actors?
Stay in the game, always, and give yourself 10 years. Then, you stay in the game, again.
Give me your social links so people can come and find you!
My website: www.paulhughesactor.com
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2275953/
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