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Dear John

I had time out to have a family - have I left it too late to go back to acting?

First published 24th May 2007

Question:
I started my acting career 15 years ago, but parenting got in the way. Now I'm in a position to make a proper attempt at it, but is it really an option after leaving things so late?

Answer:
Being just old enough to have been around during the latter part of Laurence Olivier's career, I can recall that from the first time I heard the name, it was usually in the context of someone who appeared to be the living embodiment of the principle that great actors are born and not made, and who had equally devoted a lifetime to the perfection of his craft. As will be evidenced by much of the material in the special centenary issue (dated 24th May 2007, issue date: 6579), closer study of the great man's career reveals a prodigious talent, certainly, but also a huge determination to keep going in the face of many setbacks, both personal and professional. Whenever I work with performers who are entering the business late or (and this seems to be an even greater crime in some actors' eyes) with people who are daring to enter 'proper' acting, having worked in some other branch of performance, I am reminded of Olivier's more practical view of life, on and off stage - "Keep your eyes open and get on with it''. Here are two people who are indeed getting on with it.

What the experts say:

Kelle Bryan

Kelle, who trained at Italia Conti, has recently joined the cast of Angie Le Mar's successful theatre drama The Brothers. Kelle was the founding member of successful UK R'n'B group Eternal, who went on to sell in excess of nine million records, and more recently has been seen on TV shows, such as Love Island, EastEnders, The Bill, and hosting TV quiz show Glitterball.

"Having a background in several areas of performance and music, but also dance, it took me a little while to discover that acting was my real passion. I'd encourage anyone thinking of entering the business or moving from one area to another to also take the time to work out exactly where your passion lies, because even if you have established yourself in another field, it will take hard work and a willingness to learn to really move forward in a new one.

"Once I'd decided what I was going to do, I went back to my old acting teacher, signed up for courses, and listened to advice from people like my agent, who knew this side of the business a lot better than I do.

I think one advantage of focusing on acting a little later was having a degree of life experience which helps me play a character like Brenda, even though her story is nothing like mine. But knowing the entertainment business a little better than when I first entered it also helps me view my acting skills as something worth taking the time to develop, as opposed to rushing things. The Brothers, having a great cast, a brilliant script and an excellent director, is a particularly good training ground.

"Having pointed out that acting is a long journey, I'd encourage anyone setting out on it, particularly if they are trying to catch up, not to be put off by the size of the task, but to do what I did - make a plan and make sure you carry at least one step of it out, no matter how small, every day."

Rita Hamill

Rita has been a professional actor for more than ten years and her TV appearances include The Bill, Silent Witness and Building the Titanic, while theatre includes The Field at the Tricycle and, rather appropriately, the Tricycle's Olivier Award-winning production of Bloody Sunday. She has been coaching creatives for more than four years, and is a member of the Fiona Harrold coaching team.

"I honestly believe that age doth not maketh the actor, but that instead it's your attitude that makes you the actor you want to be. Having said that, everything changes with time, and this industry is no exception.

Yes, there are more opportunities now than there were 15 years ago, but if you intend to get back into it, you're going to have to ask yourself some probing questions, to understand what it is you want and why you want it this time round. You are, in effect, re-igniting a previous business idea, in an arena that has evolved, and your values and expectations of 15 years ago may not be in line with who you are today.

Don't hang out with people who are going to tell you how difficult it's going to be. If you're really serious about a successful career, I can't emphasise enough how much of an impact this will have on your approach. Instead, find the evidence of actors who started late or got their break later in life.

"This is going to give you great inspiration when the going gets tough. I didn't go to drama school until I was almost 30, and I draw great inspiration from the fabulous Liz Smith (The Royle Family), who famously didn't get discovered until she was 50. So make that list. Get inspired.

"You say that parenting got in the way. The reality is that you chose the option that was right for you at the time, to raise a family. Now you've got another choice to make. So if the fire really is still burning, and you can't sleep at night with the excitement and anticipation, ask yourself the following questions:

1. On a scale of 1-10, how committed am I to carving out a successful acting career?
2. What are the reasons I know this is the right path for me now?
3. What am I prepared to do in order to make this happen?
4. What am I not prepared to do in order to make this happen?
5. What support (and from whom) do I need?
6. On a scale of 1-10, how likely am I to follow through on this?

"I can't answer those questions for you, but while you're pondering, I can share with you some very relevant words from Henry Ford: "If you think you can do a thing or can't do a thing, you're right."

John sums up

Entering the acting business later in life probably doesn't make it any easier and there isn't any guarantee that going in from day one assures you of success either. The key, as both our advisors point out above, is that when you do decide to go for it, you make the most of your attempt, and that includes both working to a strategy and listening to experienced people who can help you make an effective plan in the first place. I sincerely doubt that Sir Laurence himself would disagree.

* Kelle Bryan is represented by AIM on 020 7300 6506, www.aimagents.com and The Brothers runs at Hackney Empire from May 24-26.

* Rita Hamill can be contacted via her website: www.ritahamill.com

* Feedback/queries are welcome to dearjohn@thestage.co.uk
Please note that letters will be assumed to be for publication unless otherwise indicated. Name and address must be supplied but can be witheld on request.

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