Anthony Webster will be taking part in Stafford Festival Shakespeare for the first time this summer. We spoke to Anthony about his busy plans for this summer and his unusual performing history.
Hi Anthony, tell us a little about yourself...
Much of the time I work as a Learning Support Assitant on a local college's performing arts provision. Away from this, I'm acting, be it for an independent film, as a supporting artist for a major release, as a cast member to help media students hone their skills or on the ameteur stage. When I'm not doing any of this I probably have my hands in glue, making masks or props for some piece or another.
Have you been involved with Stafford Festival Shakespeare before?
I’ve lived most of my life within a short distance of Stafford but this is my first involvement with Stafford Festival Shakespeare and I’m enjoying every minute with the company. The team spirit, enthusiasm and expertise in the group are really inspiring and invigorating.
You’ve performed in many unusual venues, from nuclear bunkers to art deco bank vaults, which would you say was the strangest and which was your favourite?
Years ago, during the Lichfield Mystery plays, I took the role of Lucifer within the city’s magnificent cathedral. I’m sure that’s where my love of performance in different types of spaces stems from, and so in a way this experience remains my favourite. As for the strangest, there are lots of contenders. Certainly, the ‘frozen-in-time’ atmosphere of both the nuclear bunker and the art deco bank vault really impressed itself on me. But I’ve run around a farmer’s field battling aliens from a distant planet with nothing more than a broom handle. I’ve knelt at a mock grave comprised of a bag of compost at the edge of a football pitch. It was surreal to stroll through a purpose-fabricated medieval London street, which was actually located within the Welsh countryside. Becoming Jesus Christ at the Last Supper late on a Friday night in an old primary school hall, and performing King Lear atop of Pembroke castle’s rain-drenched battlements are also high on the list of strangest venue.
Any funny stories to tell from performing in these unusual venues?
There have been a few funny moments! Whilst filming a robbery reconstruction in an art deco bank vault safe, the production cast and crew paralysed in disbelief when somebody accidentaly locked shut the door of the safe and noone knew the combination to open it! Thankfully, noone was inside and in fact the only thing locked in the safe was a banana as part of somebody's lunch! It didn't take long for the listed building's site staff to come to the rescue of the banana!
What do you think of the castle setting for the show?
What a location! It’s a landmark setting perfect for the event. When you have a dramatic feature like this against the horizon, you have to bring a play that’s worthy of it. That excites me because I know this zesty production will be superb.
What television shows and films have you been involved with?
This year I’ve taken supporting artist roles in the feature films ‘Henry IV Part II’ and ‘Les Miserables’. I seem to have the air of a beggar about me: both productions cast me as one, and the characters were great fun to play. Back in February, some might have seen me in an episode of ‘Aircrash Confidential 2’, a disaster reconstruction programme broadcast on the Discovery channel. I took a larger role as the Bank Manager in ‘Britain’s Biggest Heists 2: The Baker Street Heist’, shown on HD History Channel and Crime & Investigation Network. The rock band Blue Origin achieved Kerrang broadcast with their music video 'Godless' at the start of this year and I played Jesus Christ at the Last Supper in this dynamic piece. I was privileged to be cast as the University Lecturer for the Cisco Systems Inc. public spaces commercial broadcast, an advertisement focusing on their provision of technical expertise in the Olympic Games provisions.
Why did you decide to get involved in SFS?
Why did you decide to get involved in SFS?
Well, a friend told me about Stafford Festival Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ production and I knew I had to audition. Last summer, I’d really enjoyed the challenges presented by the different outdoor venues of a ‘King Lear’ tour, so joining the local cast offered an opportunity I couldn’t ignore. I also think ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a story that appeals to so many people.
Do you feel it’s important for the local community to get involved with events like SFS?
Yes I do, I’m a great advocate of people giving something a go. Why not? Stafford Festival Shakespeare and other events like it are great for making new friends, maybe practicing a neglected skill or learning a new one. So far in the preparations for opening night I’ve managed to do all three.
What would you say to local people to not only make them want to watch the show but also be a part of it?
I think that anyone taking a seat to watch a show is very much a part of it. Putting aside the day-to-day cares and believing in the world of the play, well that’s the life blood, the magic of it all. But to get up on the stage gives you something much more. There’s a real satisfaction of crafting a vibrant piece of drama within a creative team like that of Stafford Festival Shakespeare. Nerves and inertia get in the way of so much all the time, but there’s an opportunity to really enjoy yourself here. Why miss out?
What is your next project after Shakespeare?
I’ve quite a few things on the boil at the moment. I have a run of short, independent films soon after ‘Romeo and Juliet’. There’s extra skills training I’d like to do, and some auditions I’d like to attend. I don’t stand still for very long.
