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 Rosalind Ford who is playing Mother in the world stage premiere of The Pianist in November at Park Theatre, based on Wladyslaw Szpilman‘s internationally bestselling memoir.
1) My route into theatre was…
I started taking dance lessons when my family moved out to Shropshire from London in 1999, having always loved our trips to the West End. From there, I started taking the LAMDA acting classes, and eventually chose to go to Edinburgh University for the many, many performing opportunities. I got my first London agent from performing at Edinburgh Fringe, and the rest has flowed from there. Nitai Levi who plays my son in The Pianist was also in these student shows with me at Edinburgh University. We also performed together in Rent, he as Roger, me as Maureen, and in 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee in 2015, he as Chip Tolentino, me as Rona Lisa Peretti.
2) My West End idol is…
Imelda Staunton. Or Jenna Russell. Icons.
3) My colleagues would describe me as…
Max Roll in The Pianist did describe me as a ray of sunshine during rehearsals… that was after only two weeks though, so you’d have to check back in with him on that.
4) My favourite show (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street.
5) The career moment I’m most proud of is…
Originating the role of the French artist Marie-Berthe Cazin in the one woman, french jazz musical In Clay in 2024. I absolutely adored everything about this production and character – a huge challenge but ultimately so rewarding and delicious to perform (I studied French, also work as an artist, and this genre of Django Reinhardt style music is my absolute jam, so it was completely up my alley). Subsequently, the show has had multiple outings in the USA and China – it’s an extremely exciting piece!
6) The hardest part about my job/role is…
The score. For all its undeniable beauty and power, the music in The Pianist is fiendish, especially to sing, play, move and emote all at the same time. It’s been a real challenge, but a wonderful one.
7) If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
An artist or writer. I already have a portraiture business (@rosalindolivia.art), and write essays on Substack in my free time.
8) Something people don’t know about me is…
Whilst I grew up learning ballet, tap and modern, as per, I am most highly trained in Classical Greek Dance, a form created by Ruby Ginner in the UK in the 1940s, inspired by and featuring ancient Greek mythology, imagery and culture. I grew up going to an almost unbelievably quaint dance studio in a tiny village in Shropshire to learn. The school still exists, and this summer my best friend and I choreographed a piece to perform as honorary alumnae at their summer dance show!
9) The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Say what you mean, mean what you say, and trust that everyone else is doing the same (if they’re not, that’s not on you). This helps me all across my life – in acting, industry navigation, and in choosing amazing friends.
10) The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
There is no right or wrong way to do anything so aim big, you’re right on track.
Get your tickets to see Rosalind in The Pianist at Park Theatre below!
