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 Joseph Vella who will be playing Dick in Dick Whittington And His Cat – North London’s favourite panto which is sure to bring festive cheer for all the family. With show-stopping musical numbers, toe-tapping tunes, and a whole lotta laughs.

1) My route into theatre was…

I studied acting from a young age and it wasn’t till I was in secondary school, where I was forced to do the musicals because I was one of the only boys, and ended up loving it.

My drama teacher said I should audition for The BRIT School and I ended up getting in somehow! They clearly saw something and I’m glad they did. I worked really hard to get into drama school and got accepted into my dream school, ArtsEd, and the rest is history.

2) My West End idol is…

Anyone who has an amazing work ethic. I look up to actors at the top of their game and showing us how to get through an 8 show week through demanding roles.

I don’t have anyone specific, but there’s always a few people who inspire me in every show I do. I always love to see their rehearsal process upfront and you’ll probably catch me in the wings watching big singing moments I’m not in.

3) My colleagues would describe me as…

Silly, fun and likes to learn my lines as soon as possible ha! It’s still early days and we’re all getting to know each-other. This is a really fun group of people and I know we’re going to have a lot of fun!

4) My favourite show (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…

Anything Rodger’s and Hammerstein, the music is so beautiful.

I’m also a big West Side Story fan, the choreography in the show is timeless. I’m looking forward to watching the revival coming to the national next year!

I always seem to be listening to In the Heights and they need to bring a production to the West End ASAP!

5) The career moment I’m most proud of is…

Playing a lead in a new musical, which will hopefully come back soon. That feeling of playing your first lead role in a big musical is next to none. Knowing that character started off with you and that there wasn’t anyone else playing it prior to your performance. No one has any preconceptions of what that character should be and there’s no executions. Just fresh eyes learning about a new character.

6) The hardest part about my job/role is…

Each role has its own difficulties, but more recently, playing Pepper in Mamma Mia!, and the physical demand for the role!

In terms of the job itself, I’m sure everyone says this, but this industry is hard, the sacrifice you have to make for such uncertainty is uncomfortable. Not knowing your next job, constant auditions and not being in control of what’s next, but we do it for the love we have for the business.

7) If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…

Honestly I’m such a geek, so maybe something to do with Gaming. I’m not even sure I’d live in London! I might move back home to Malta and live a simple life and enjoy the better quality of life and more sunshine!

8) Something people don’t know about me is…

I don’t really stop. I need to get better at resting and taking time for myself. Like I said previously, this industry is hard and when I’m not working, I’m constantly training and making sure I’m ready to put myself forward when opportunity arises.

9) The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…

The things that are really meant for you, won’t pass you by! It sounds cliche, but the amount of times I’ve been upset when my life didn’t go down a certain direction, and realised at a later point that it was for the best, always reminds me that what’s meant for me won’t pass me by!

10) The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…

Hold onto your loved ones a bit longer and everything’s going to turn out okay! I’m happy where I am in my life and I feel like everything I’ve been through, bad or good, led me to this point.