The artistic youth of Liverpool have huge boots to fill, that much has been true since it Brian Epstein realised just how important the four young lads occupying the Cavern stage one weekday dinner time were to defining the city and an era. Not only in music to which many great bands and musicians have made several generations happy as they while away in contentment to the sound of the day but also in the world of acting; the world of theatre and film is awash with the familiar faces of many famous Liverpool actors; following in the footsteps as large as David Morrissey, Kim Cattrall, Drew Schofield and Jennifer Ellison is hard work but for Lewis Pryor that calling is loud and clear and he appears to be enjoying the cause to which he and many of generation are heeding the call.
A revelation on stage as part of the Epstein Theatre’s Christmas Pantomime production this last year, he has been called back to entertain the crowd once more in this Easter’s production of Snow White.
As with anyone of this young actor’s age, the urge to make sure they are comfortable talking about their work and make sure they don’t get ahead of themselves is a paramount concern, however where Lewis Pryor is concerned that is not the case, it is a worry soon forgotten as the likeable and charming man finds his own way to keep grounded and deferential to those who have already helped him upon his way; it is a demeanour that makes you want him to succeed even more.
Congratulations on being cast in the Easter panto!
Lewis: “Thank you very much!”
It must be an incredible feeling?
Lewis: “It’s really exciting, especially after Christmas this year, I had such an amazing experience and to be asked back again and just to have fun onstage with such talented people, it’s just amazing!”
Obviously there’s a difference between Easter and Christmas, but you lit up the stage at Christmas, you had Calum Best in stitches with what you were doing, that must have been a great vindication to you as an actor?
Lewis: “The reviews and stuff I got back were great, I was completely shocked. I didn’t expect it whatsoever, to get the feedback from the people after the show saying how well I’d done. People like Callum posted on social media about what a talented young man I am and things like that. It was such a shock because I’ve never had things like that before and it was such a boost to my confidence. It’s just amazing; there are no real words to describe it.”
You’ve come such a long way in such a short time, again in respect to last Christmas and now to this Easter panto, is acting all you’ve wanted to do?
Lewis: “I’ve known ever since I was about nine that acting is what I’ve wanted to do, I wanted to be an actor and I trained at Jelli Studios for six years with Jennifer Ellison and I’m so very grateful for the opportunities I have been given and that I wouldn’t be in the position I am now in but for it to happen so quickly as it has, it’s such a shock to me. I’ve not finished school or training or nothing. I’m still training, I’m still trying to pursue the career I want to pursue, I’m now hopefully climbing up the ladder to bigger and better things though. Where do I go from here though? I’d like to do movies like Ricky’s done with stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Sacha Baron Cohen, to do something like that would be an absolute dream and that’s what I’d like to do.”
It must be a huge thrill working with Ricky Tomlinson as the Face of the Mirror?
Lewis: “He came up to me before and I didn’t really want to go over to him as he’s such a big star but he came up to me and said you were in the Christmas panto – he said I was absolutely amazing and I thought wow! Someone of his prestige, a legend within the city and internationally complimenting me is crazy. Someone who inspired me comes up and compliments me is just fantastic.
The acting community within Liverpool is such a close knit community and everyone is so supportive of everyone else, it’s a really nurturing foundation, there’s no negativity whatsoever, to have so many people behind you is just great, it really pushes you to make them proud as well.”
Back to The Epstein – you must feel at home here now?
Lewis: “It feels like panto’s just finished! We’re straight back into it now, aren’t we? Christmas was my first big panto and I wanted to get straight back, I wanted this to start straightaway and the fact that it’s come around so fast – I’m so happy to be starting. Unfortunately Michael Chapman and Tom Burrows couldn’t be here today but I worked with them at Christmas and I can’t wait to work with them again and perform with them again onstage.”
Michael Chapman is one of the most wonderful panto dames around, it’s the way he works with the children when they are invited onstage, he makes that part of the show his own and the interaction of the children is so funny. Does he come across that hilarious offstage as well?
Lewis: “He’s so comfortable with the audience, he senses the atmosphere, he knows when he can go a bit far with the jokes, he’s a natural, he’s got that vibe with the children when he brings them up on stage. Michael Chapman – it’s unreal to be working with him, his scriptwriting, his direction, his performance, he does it all. I’m just in awe of him and so happy to be working with him again.”
Is he the sort of role model/mentor you look up to then as you’re still training?
Lewis: “The advice that he and the others gave me at Christmas was great. I was unsure what I wanted to do when I finished college – the nurturing foundation that they all provide, they all gave me advice, Michael and Tom and Chris Barton as well who played Dandini. We were all in the changing room together and they all want you to do well and they want to push you to do your best and the experience that they have is second to none to help you do what you want to do.”
Do you think that you might be more suited to the comic role, a jester type figure or do you want to do something more serious?
Lewis: “Well, it’s always what I’ve been cast as – the jester, the comedy character that makes everyone laugh but I’m more than happy to branch out and try other things like more serious roles. I’ve done it before but I’ve always come back to this comedy role, jester character, everyone sort of falls in love with the character you know, it’s what I love to play though because the audience is behind me – so you’ve always got that support there and it’s the role that I love play but taking on new roles definitely!”
Lewis Pryor is in Snow White at the Epstein Theatre from Thursday 24th March till Wednesday 6th April. Tickets are available from the Epstein Theatre Box office.
Ian D. Hall