Hi Stewart. Who are you and what do you do in comedy?
Hi, I'm Stewart Wright and would perhaps best be described as a comic character actor. I've also worked as a writer/performer; creating a couple of series for BBC Radio 4, and an award winning short film. I've got some TV series ideas in development... haven't we all.
Tell us about how you first became involved in the comedy world.
Soon after leaving drama school I was line reading for other actors auditioning to be in the original London cast of The Lion King. I'd soon learnt all the parts and got my heart set on being discovered and given a part myself. The only snag was I couldn't sing, so I frantically had lessons and was excited when they offered me an audition. However, too young and not a strong enough singer... my coveted role of Pumba went elsewhere.
Heartbroken and dejected, the trainee casting director throughout the process, a certain Rachel Frek, consoled me. Later that year she went on to work in the BBC comedy department and encouraged her boss to bring me in, as they were looking for unknown people to play big parts in a new mocumentary series called People Like Us. Having learnt the whole part for the audition, and waiting an excruciating 2 or 3 weeks while they scanned for other options, I was eventually offered the main role of Nick Levick in 'The Estate Agent' episode. The series went on to win awards and was popular within the film and TV industry. For a brief moment in time I was Richard Curtis' favourite new actor and other roles on TV and film followed.
Tell us about your comedy favourites.
I can remember watching Laurel and Hardy as a kid and being bent over double watching some early Jack Dee stand-up on telly. In the cinema I enjoyed stuff like Beverley Hills Cop and Planes Trains and Automobiles.
By the time I was a teenager I was regularly going to see live shows at The Comedy Store in Leicester Square and admiring the likes of Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans and The Comedy Store Players.
Now I like a bit of tears with my laughter, so I'm drawn to films and TV like Lost In Translation or The Trip. The next stand-up I've got tickets to see is Stewart Lee.
The comedy industry is competitive. Why should people pick you to work with?
Well, err, that's a good question. I don't suppose being dedicated, versatile, passionate and experienced is enough these days. I enjoy drawing on my own vulnerability and melancholy to bring depth to the characters I play. Accents are a strong point too as I played 28 characters in the radio series Strangers On Trains.
What's the best advice you've ever been given, read or heard?
If at first you don't succeed try and try again.
Where would you like to be in 10 years' time?
My career has always had busy and quiet patches... so, yeah, I'd look to book in a busy patch for ten years time while my kids are teenagers.
If you ever get free time, how do you spend it?
I enjoy watching sport, particularly Rugby and laughing with my wife and kids.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
I think it would be to be able to find out immediately if I've got the job I've just had a meeting for.
Published: Friday 6th March 2020