In our profile series, Tell Us In Ten, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. From how they got their start in the industry to their favourite shows, we want to know everything.
This time we’re chatting to Joe Bence who is currently starring as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet – an electrifying 3x Tony Award-nominated musical where rivalries ignited, friendships were tested and rock ‘n’ roll was born.
1) My route into theatre was…
Exposed from a young age by a musical-directing father, a choreographing mother and an actor of a big brother.
2) My West End idol is…
Lee Evans. I saw him in The Producers years ago and in the Pinter season. I have never seen another performer quite like that on a stage.
3) My colleagues would describe me as…
A dab hand with a cafetiere.
4) My favourite show (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…
Urgh. Too many: Cabaret; Sunday In The Park With George; The Producers; The Play That Goes Wrong. The list goes on.
5) The career moment I’m most proud of is…
As an understudy last year. Going on with 6 hours notice…on press night.
6) The hardest part about my job/role is…
The absolute battering that my fingers take from Joanna (the name of my piano.)
7) If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
Unemployed. So basically an actor 95% of the time.
8) Something people don’t know about me is…
I have trypophobia (the fear of small holes or bumps).
9) The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
One I like at the moment is “When you win, you’re never as good as you think you are. When you lose, you’re never as bad.” – Gregg Popovich. Or my all time favourite “Don’t let the b******s grind you down.” – Alan Bence.
10) The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Thanks for looking after future you.
Get your tickets to see Joe in Million Dollar Quartet at The Arts At Marble Arch now!
