Scott Folan is currently staring in Mother of Him and recently took time out if his schedule to speak to us.
1) How did you get into acting, was there a particular performance you saw that resonated with you?
My mum used to take me to rehearsals for her AmDram shows when I was a kid and apparently I absolutely fell in love with the idea of being on stage. She sent me to Bodens Performing Arts College when I was 9, and they sent me to my first audition when I was 12, so I must thank them (and my mother) for getting me in to acting professionally!
In terms of a particular performance that resonated with me, I watched a performance of βDeath of a Salesmanβ when I was younger and I utterly adored every moment.
2) What has been your favourite role you have played and why?
This one! Matthew is the kind of role a young actor dreams of, a role that requires very special attention and specific research. Having to research a time that I didnβt live through, a country I didnβt live in and an act I could never even dream up doing myself, I had to put real time and energy into inventing and becoming the character of Matthew.3) Where did you train?
I actually havenβt yet trained at a drama school as Iβm only 19, but a lot of what I do as an actor I can attribute to the teachers at Bodens Performing Arts College and my past professional experiences as a child actor.
Of particular note is the amount I learnt during my time on the Comedy Central Series βBrotherhoodβ, which our Tracy actually made a guest star appearance in!
4) Can you tell us about your current, showΒ Mother Of HimΒ what can people expect from the show?
Mother Of Him is a beautiful and haunting story, inspired by true events. I havenβt even let my mum help me with lines because I want her to experience every moment for the first time when she comes to see it, so I wonβt give even an inch of a spoiler. I will say though, be prepared that you may fall in love with itβ¦β¦Because I know I have.
5) What drew you to the role of Matthew?
The complexity of him. Again no spoilers, but he has such a journey in this piece and I knew I just wanted to be a part of it. Evan Placey is an absolute genius and I have him to thank that this character was formed in the first place.6) Where has been your favourite place to perform on stage and why?
Ooh, Iβd have to say Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT). They are such a welcoming space. I was lucky enough to have worked under the direction of Daniel Evans and blessed with all the love that Chichester has to offer. Iβd love to come back soonβ¦β¦please!
7) What is the most rewarding thing about your work?
Working with Simon Hepworth. (He told me to say thatβ¦)
8) Whatβs been a funny moment for you on stage? Β Any mishaps you want to share!?
Oo yes. The last show I did, βThis Is My Familyβ at CFT, I was playing a Goth named Matt, who chose to wear these massive goth boots. In a scene near the end, we watch these lanterns fly up towards the sky. I donβt like to ruin the magic but we used wires and helium balloons, and it was my job to attach the magnets on these wires to the floor.
On the night that Gary Barlow came to see our show, the magnet on one of the wires decided to attach itself to the metal on one of my boots. When the wires were lifted, so were my boots. With my leg. That was quite embarrassing.9) Who are your influences and inspirations?
I grew up with David Tennant as the doctor and his ability to play the light and dark of such a complex character was a massive inspiration for me as a young actor. Getting to work with him on my first professional job βNativity 2β was an absolute dream.
10) Whatβs your go to song for auditions or just singing in the shower?
Is it wrong to plug my own music here?β¦.. Oh, well Iβve started now I may as well finish. You can listen to my debut EP on Spotify and iTunes: βPlansβ by Scott Folan. I do genuinely sing my own songs in the shower and in auditions β Iβm that self obsessed.
11) Is there a role (regardless of gender) you would love to play in a show?
Iβve been eyeing up Bare the musical for years and Iβd love to play either Jason or Peter. Just to be a part of that show would be a DREAM.
12) Β Where can people follow your work on Twitter/Facebook/YouTube etc?
My main social media is Instagram but my social media tag is the same on Twitter as well. I have a YouTube Channel where I post music videos and the likes βScott Folanβ. If you still use Facebook, I have a Facebook music page that gets updated sometimes.
