The Stage

Matt Smith

Published Thursday 30 March 2006 at 12:10

In a rare programme of new plays, Matt Smith has parts in all three of them currently in the NT Cottesloe repertory. Are they played each night?

“Not at all,” says Matt, enthusiasm radiating in his voice. “We do sets of two, only occasionally all of them. Out of a company of 12, six of us are cast in all three.

“They are by unusual writers, each very different, about 40 to 50 minutes long. I find them fascinating and challenging. During previews schools’ audiences worked well, so we’re hoping for more youngsters in the audience.”

Unusually Matt had no formal theatre training, opting for travel after he graduated from the University of East Anglia. At 23 he has been in other NT plays - and toured too.

“Yes, History Boys and what a tour that was. We played really big theatres to large audiences. Some people have seen it twice - yet the record must be a couple who have been 41 times. They’re headed for the Broadway production too.”

“I love playing the Cottesloe, it’s my favourite, very adaptable and you certainly sense the audience, it’s so intimate,” he replies. “Perhaps the most amazing place I have worked is Norwich cathedral.”