A bit about me
WHat drew you to acting?
I’ve been in and around the business since the mid 1980s. I suppose I first became interested in acting when at Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC). I think it was Mr Smithies, a truly brilliant English teacher, who collared me in the courtyard and before I knew what I had agreed to I was playing Tubby Wadlow in Hobson’s Choice! While at BHASVIC a further opportunity presented itself to play the old retainer, Adam, in As You Like and whilst neither role was exactly a leading character it was enough to have given me the theatre bug. So much so that when the university application process came around I was was convinced that only the heavily oversubscribed Drama degree courses would do for me.
That proved quite an ask and meaningful offers of that nature were not forthcoming, but I eventually found myself in Twickenham at at place called the West London Institute of Higher Education (WLIHE), which offered me a Drama and French degree course awarded by the University of London (now Brunel). Even then the intention of an acting career path was far from established, but playing the lead in Lovers by Brian Friel at the end of my first year finally sealed the deal. I decided that I would take a year out at the end of my degree course and earn some money to put myself through drama school as a post graduate.
I worked as a postman while auditioning but (a bit like the degree courses) I found the courses to be heavily oversubscribed and the offers relatively limited. I did secure two, one from the Academy of Live & Recorded Arts (ALRA) and the other from Studio 68 of Theatre Arts, London. Eschewing the more established and heavy duty ALRA, I went for the latter option which was what I think you would call something of a boutique drama school operating out of the Kensington and Chelsea Central Library and the Concert Artists Association in the West End. Run by the American actor Robert Henderson, it did manage to attract some big hitters as teachers including Cicely Berry and some exciting guest artists. An end of year production of a play called A Mouldering In The Grave by David Manwaring (it was about Karl Marx’s body!) set me on my path in the industry in 1985.
The rest, as they say is history, or as I like to think, still work in progress…
William Simpson
HORSEY BUSINESS
Probably no coincidence that UK betting offices first opened the year I was born, as I am well known for liking the odd flutter. In fact I am part (yes, it is a small part!) owner of One For Dunstan (stable name Danny), a five year old gelding trained by Robert Walford. He was last seen trailing far in the distance at Fontwell Park but seemed to have enjoyed his outing and breakfasted well the next day!
OTHER VENTURES
Actors should always have another string to their bow, they say, so how about journalism? Hmm, that’s sounds like reliable fallback. Well anyway, I have an MA in Journalism and was once the Brighton contributor for the League Newspaper.
I am also currently Publicity Officer for the South and South East London Branch of Equity. https://www.equity.org.uk
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