Music On Stage - The Spotlight

has many volunteers, actors and actresses who have contributed to make Music on Stage the success it is today. Here is just one of them

Photos of Andrew

Andrew Rowley Interviewed for the Pied Piper II - Oct 2010

Name of Actor / Actress: Andy Rowley

Role in Pied Piper II: Director, Writer, Mary (a rat)          

Age: 34

Years Acting: about 18

Where you initially learnt your skills? GCSE Drama at Colmers Farm Secondary School

What are the most memorable moments in your acting career to date?   Playing Antipholous of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare for a college production and playing Beowulf for Shire Productions at the Tolkien weekend a couple of years ago. Both roles stand out but for different reasons; the CoE as every actor at some point wants to play a lead in a Shakespearian role (even if it wasn’t Hamlet for the RSC). Beowulf is because never before (and I hope never in the future) have I had to rip the supposedly removable arm of a ‘monster’ while acting in the round. Rather predictably it had been attached in such a way as to make removal practically impossible. The arm came off…. In the end!!

What made you decide to be in the Pied Piper II?   I was in the original and wrote some of the lines for that, then started wording a sequel through popular demand and I’ve been pestered ever since to finish it. Having spent 6 years on and off writing the script (mostly off if the truth be told) I wanted to be sure that the first time if was staged it was done in a way I'd like. Sadly James Cameron wasn’t available so I had no choice but to do it myself.

Since I wrote it and decided to direct it, I thought what better to pile on the pressure that to take a lead role as one of my favorite characters, Mary.

Give a short but complete description of your character:   Mary is not in overall command of the Rats but he is the most reliable and commanding of Chief Rats henchmen. He sits in-between Chief Rat and the mob of other rats as a filter to pass on instructions and carry out special takes as may be required. He is cunning and conniving. He is mean and nasty, but carries a wit which is strong.  

Who or what inspired you to work in your field?   I work in an office actually although I hope one day to escape. I have a dream that an executive from Disney or Pixar will be watching the show and decide to buy it to turn into the next ‘Shrek’ or ‘Toy Story’ franchise. Then I can retire while young and life a life of luxury. I admit this is unlikely to happen.

Who were your heroes when you were young?   Not sure, too old to remember. Probably Han Solo. Oh, and I liked Alain Prost, the F1 driver and Ron Haslam from the Norton Superbike days.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?   Commuting to work on a motorbike for the last 13 years and yet still being alive.

When did you know that you wanted to be an actor? Not sure I do. If I can be a Hollywood star then I guess I pretty much would always have wanted to act since about the age of 13. Since I know I don’t have the talent or looks then it’s never really featured in my career plans.

Funniest joke you can think of on the spot?   Q. what’s red and sits in a corner? A. a naughty strawberry.