Q. What qualifications route did you take to realise your career?
Studied at the City Lit and Actors Centre whilst performing on the fringe.

Q. Please explain in detail what students will learn during your course?
Marks philosophy passed on during most of his courses, is that “it’s not about you!” It’s about the other person/ actor/ audience. A relationship/ many relationships are required for performance. The importance of listening and of eye contact is paramount. To know how the other feels, gives you so much information that is needed for acting/ improvising.  Other important concepts are those of multi-tasking and losing. There is no innovation without failure.

Q. What qualities do you need to succeed in your industry?
Commitment and patience. An ability to dare/ risk, yet remain sensitive to others. An ability to get on with other people under stressful conditions.

Q. What are the benefits of studying your subject?
Increased confidence- guaranteed. An ability to see how others tick. Increased observational skills. Increased emotional intelligence. An ability to adapt, respond in the moment.

Q. Please explain why you love your subject?
It never ends. There is always more to learn. I can learn from my students as they learn from me. I realize much more about the workings of the human brain. It has encouraged an interest in neuroscience, which makes me rethink both the acting and teaching nature of my courses.

Q. What skills do your students have by the end of the course?
They will be more confident, more open, be able to think on their feet and adapt to new situations.

Q. What do students normally do once they’ve finished their course?
Continue, either with me, or on other courses or moving into the profession.

Q. What’s the best way to go about getting a job in your industry?
This is the ever changing answer. Each finds their own way if they are committed enough. However I always suggest that the students band together and put on a fringe show. This will give them a realistic idea of what the profession involves.

Q. Can you describe a typical day in your working life?
Nothing is typical.
Acting- an early pick up in a limousine, coffee in the make-up trailer, then wardrobed, onto the set, to meet  the director, chat, back to breakfast and hours waiting till needed. When the acting happens it is professional between ‘action’ and ‘cut’, but otherwise fun. Living in the moment and adapting to the other actors/ director/ cameraman…..  Then after make-up removal, a limo home late and bed.

 Or- early get up, public transport to the theatre, a technical rehearsal (10hours?), which involves lots of sitting around waiting, but when needed you have to be ready. Then a first preview, acting till late. Public transport home.

Teaching- usually a late start, into the Lit, lots of eager faces ready to learn. Fun, fun, fun, for a few hours then time to go off dancing after work.

Q. What advice do you have for people interested in studying a course like yours?
Don’t waste time thinking about it. You could spend your whole life in regret. Go to a course now.