AND THAT'S MY STORY: BEN BATT, ACTOR
I have been intrigued to find out more about the creators behind projects that I have been fortunate enough to see and/ or hear for a long time now so I've decided to something about it. And That's My Story is a series on this blog that shares with you a bit about the creators I've met along the way and their journey towards fulfilling their dreams; it will run for as long as I can find people who are willing to share their story. Today, let me introduce you to the talented Ben Batt!
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Tonight is the opening night for this week's pick for the The Stage Edit series, The Funfair by HOME. And starring as one of the main characters in the play is Ben Batt whom you may recognise from the TV shows Shameless and Scott & Bailey. I was very fortunate to have a short interview with him and would like to take this opportunity to share with you his answers to the questions I asked him.
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Ben Batt in The Funfair // Source: Photo Courtesy of HOME
WHAT WAS IT ABOUT SIMON STEPHEN'S ADAPTATION OF ÖDÖN VON HORVÁTH'S 'KASIMIR AND KAROLINE' THAT DREW YOU TO AUDITION FOR THE ROLE OF CASH?
I had never heard of the play when I got the script, but I had obviously heard of Simon Stephens and have always wanted to work on one of his plays, so I was excited from the off! The play is just so fantastically weird and wonderful and Cash is such a complicated and complex character I just saw it as a massive but exciting challenge. He’s such an angry, passionate, romantic bitter guy, it’s a gift of a role.
WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE WORKING UNDER WALTER MEIERJOHANN'S DIRECTION?
He’s a genius. I have loved every minute of it. He is such an actor’s director, he loves what he does and his enthusiasm is so infectious. He makes you want to push yourself further all the time.
YOU'VE STARRED IN THE BBC FILM ADAPTATION OF THE PERIOD DRAMA THE GO-BETWEEN, THE TV SHOW SHAMELESS, AND MANY MORE FILM & TV PROJECTS. DO YOU FIND ACTING ON STAGE MORE CHALLENGING THAN TV AND FILM?
They are all challenging in their own way. I just like each different form, and I don’t really have a preference one way or the other. The difference with theatre is that there is no escape. You can’t yell ‘cut!’ and you can’t switch off whilst you’re up there, or the audience picks up on it straight away. It’s much more nerve-wracking too! You have to keep doing something interesting all the time which is not easy!
Ben Batt in The Funfair // Source: Photo Courtesy of HOME
HOW DOES YOUR APPROACH TO EACH MEDIUM DIFFER?
I like to hope I take it seriously no matter what I'm doing and prepare as best I can with research and things like that. I go the gym more when I'm doing theatre because it can be quite tiring so you need to keep relatively fit. It doesn't stop me having a beer in the bar afterwards though!
OPENING NIGHT IS ON THE HORIZON. HAVE YOU GOT ANY INTERESTING PRE-PERFORMANCE RITUALS?
Not really. A cigarette and a coffee usually. I have to admit I do like to stick a song on in the dressing room and have a very energetic boogie to dance the nerves away. Jay-Z is a favourite warm up boogie song. Or Frank Sinatra if I need to be a bit calmer!
You can find Ben Batt here || twitter
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The Funfair // Source: Photo Courtesy of HOME
And there we have it folks! I hope you all enjoyed getting to know the funny and talented Ben Batt a little better. Looking forward to seeing him and the rest of the cast up on stage soon. The Funfair runs from the 14th of May - 13th of June so if you'd like to see it, you can try and grab a ticket from here. I know that some of us may be slightly detached from the world of theatre but I am hoping that together we can find a permanent place for it in our collection of favourite things to do. Expect another The Stage Edit post dedicated to this play sharing my thoughts on The Funfair once I've seen it.
Mo x
Note: Images of Ben Batt and The Funfair poster used in this post are courtesy of HOME. If you would like to use them please contact them here.