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 week we spoke to Thomas Walton, who is making his West End debut as Pepper in Mamma Mia!.
1. My route into theatre was…
As a child I always watched my local panto in Halifax each Christmas – that’s where I found a love for theatre. Around the age of 11 I started doing acting classes at my local theatre school, Whitley’s Academy. The principal, Miss Sandy, introduced me to different styles of dance and supported my journey into theatre.
2. My West End idol is…
Drew McOnie – a creative genius.
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
A milk-drinking, proud Northerner!
4. My favourite show is…
Standing At The Sky’s Edge.
The cast of Standing at the Sky’s Edge in the West End. Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg. Featuring the “I Love You Bridge” (c) 2001 Jason Lowe.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
Playing Uggie in The Artist. It was my puppetry debut (guided by the wonderful Maia Kirkman-Richards), and it proved to me I can be a bit “odd” or “strange” and channel that into telling a story. I also got to work with one of my idols, Robbie Fairchild. I played his dog companion which, as a dog lover myself, I took great pride in!
6. The hardest part about my job is…
Controlling the nerves and making them useful, rather than detrimental to the performance.
7. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
A politician – I’d love to make some positive change in West Yorkshire, where I’m from.
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
At school I was hit by a class mate and instead of fighting back I did an Irish Dance kick in front of him. I was a Lord Of The Dance fan when I was younger and my inner Michael Flatley was unleashed! Many thought it was embarrassing – but he never hit me again after that. I guess I’m a dancer not a fighter.
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
When you’re in the dark, sometimes you feel you’ve been buried – but actually you’ve just been planted.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Stop worrying about being so short, it’s who you are – so embrace all 5’ 6” of yourself.
Thomas Walton as Pepper and the cast of Mamma Mia!. Photo by Brinkhoff and Mögenburg.
You can see Thomas in Mamma Mia, now playing at the Novello Theatre! Tickets start from just £35 – book via Official London Theatre.