QuickFireTheatre Interview: Warren Rusher

How would you describe what you do?
Creating a believable medium for telling a story. On the acting side it’s definitely about creating; a character, a believable world, suspension of disbelief, a moment of enjoyment for the audience. I also do a bit of drama teaching and that side of things is totally about creating as well; creating an environment for learning, and more importantly creating the space for the hunger to learn.
What theatre inspires you the most?
Theatre that makes me think, makes me re-evaluate something. This is easier with New Writing I think, but a classic can still do this to me if it is very carefully put together. The first show I saw that did this to me was Popcorn by Ben Elton in 1998 about the question of violence on screen and it’s relation to society. The question posed by the production was bouncing around my head for days afterwards (and looking back it seemed to predict the following 15 odd years of reality TV voyeurism).
What is your dream role/project?
This changes with life experience I think… or for me anyway. Currently I want to play Richard III in a politically charged production. When I was a bit younger it was Enobarbus.
What’s your favourite play?
Is it possible to have just one? Currently I’d say People, places and things, Blue Orange, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme and my favourite classic is Antony and Cleopatra. Next week it could be a different set…
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
When on a set, never stand when you can sit and never sit when you can lie down…. and always bring a book.
That same older actor also told me that anything you can do when you are full of confidence because of a gig, you can do when you are not riding high and are wondering when the next gig will be, if ever (think he was talking about attracting girls…. but it applies to everything).
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Give it a damn good shot, listen to your gut and don’t let anyone else foist their dreams onto you.
What are you up to next?
Continuing with plans to set up a small production company and looking to set up a performers evening (monologues, scenes and networking) if there is an interest. I also have some Shakespeare education stuff in the pipeline.
