Izzy: Can you describe your character Ned Schneebly?
Oli: Ned Schneebly is the archetypal ‘Hen Pecked Husband’. He loves having Patty as a girlfriend and can’t really believe his luck, although the fact she now lives with him has played havoc with the amount of time he and Dewey can sit in the apartment playing ‘Guitar Hero’. He is a loyal friend to Dewey and a good teacher... so the deception in the show tests him to the limit.
I: What are your favourite/ least favourite aspects of your character?
O: My favourite part about Ned is the fact he can be both sensitive and comical with those around him. I love the fact that he stands up to Patty in the end too. My least favourite part: The Rock Boots!!! If you’ve seen the show you’ll know what I mean.
I: What do you find the most difficult thing about playing Ned?
O: I have a one hour break from the stage during the show. It's sometimes hard to switch off and back on again during this time, although after 7 months in the show I am just about getting the hang of it. Netflix is my saviour!!!
I: How do you find acting with children?
O: The children are so professional and the level of talent they bring to the show is astounding. It is a pleasure to watch them all work.
I: From your whole acting career, what has been your favourite part to play and why?
O: I played the part of Colin in The Glee Club by Richard Cameron which transferred from the Bush Theatre into the West End. It was written wonderfully and the part was the biggest I have played professionally in terms of lines and the journey the character had to go on. It was a real test of my skills and to work with the likes of David Bamber and David Schofield every night live on stage was an honour.
I: What is your favourite musical and why?
O: Les Miserables. It was the first West End show I ever watched and to be in both the West End version and the film many years later was a dream come true.
I: If you could play any part ever created in theatre, who would it be and why?
I still fancy myself as Thenardier in Les Mis. I'm almost old enough now. Fingers crossed!!
I: What was your journey into becoming an actor?
O: I always sung as a child having been a cathedral chorister. After training with the National Youth Theatre I moved to London and did the 3 year Actor Musician course at Rose Bruford.
I: Why did you choose to become an actor?
O: It was the only thing I ever wanted to do (once I realised I wasn’t quite good enough to be a professional cricketer!)
I: What advice would you give to any budding young actors or actresses?
O: My only advice would be…”Don’t Panic!” I was desperate to get off to drama school as soon as possible, but looking back I really wish I’d seen more of the world first through travelling etc. You can come to acting at any age and in my opinion those life experiences ultimately make you a far more interesting performer. Also: If you’d be just as happy doing another job, do that instead. The Acting industry is really tough and the rejection can sometimes be hard to take.
I: Do you think that it is important for young people to experience live theatre? If so, why?
O: Live theatre is so important for young people and seeing our theatre full of them every night is a wonderful thing. So much entertainment now is instantaneous and all the work is done for you, so the power of storytelling in a live space is something we must all celebrate. Live music can really inspire too, which has to be a good thing.
Oli: Ned Schneebly is the archetypal ‘Hen Pecked Husband’. He loves having Patty as a girlfriend and can’t really believe his luck, although the fact she now lives with him has played havoc with the amount of time he and Dewey can sit in the apartment playing ‘Guitar Hero’. He is a loyal friend to Dewey and a good teacher... so the deception in the show tests him to the limit.
I: What are your favourite/ least favourite aspects of your character?
O: My favourite part about Ned is the fact he can be both sensitive and comical with those around him. I love the fact that he stands up to Patty in the end too. My least favourite part: The Rock Boots!!! If you’ve seen the show you’ll know what I mean.
I: What do you find the most difficult thing about playing Ned?
O: I have a one hour break from the stage during the show. It's sometimes hard to switch off and back on again during this time, although after 7 months in the show I am just about getting the hang of it. Netflix is my saviour!!!
I: How do you find acting with children?
O: The children are so professional and the level of talent they bring to the show is astounding. It is a pleasure to watch them all work.
I: From your whole acting career, what has been your favourite part to play and why?
O: I played the part of Colin in The Glee Club by Richard Cameron which transferred from the Bush Theatre into the West End. It was written wonderfully and the part was the biggest I have played professionally in terms of lines and the journey the character had to go on. It was a real test of my skills and to work with the likes of David Bamber and David Schofield every night live on stage was an honour.
I: What is your favourite musical and why?
O: Les Miserables. It was the first West End show I ever watched and to be in both the West End version and the film many years later was a dream come true.
I: If you could play any part ever created in theatre, who would it be and why?
I still fancy myself as Thenardier in Les Mis. I'm almost old enough now. Fingers crossed!!
I: What was your journey into becoming an actor?
O: I always sung as a child having been a cathedral chorister. After training with the National Youth Theatre I moved to London and did the 3 year Actor Musician course at Rose Bruford.
I: Why did you choose to become an actor?
O: It was the only thing I ever wanted to do (once I realised I wasn’t quite good enough to be a professional cricketer!)
I: What advice would you give to any budding young actors or actresses?
O: My only advice would be…”Don’t Panic!” I was desperate to get off to drama school as soon as possible, but looking back I really wish I’d seen more of the world first through travelling etc. You can come to acting at any age and in my opinion those life experiences ultimately make you a far more interesting performer. Also: If you’d be just as happy doing another job, do that instead. The Acting industry is really tough and the rejection can sometimes be hard to take.
I: Do you think that it is important for young people to experience live theatre? If so, why?
O: Live theatre is so important for young people and seeing our theatre full of them every night is a wonderful thing. So much entertainment now is instantaneous and all the work is done for you, so the power of storytelling in a live space is something we must all celebrate. Live music can really inspire too, which has to be a good thing.
Oliver is currently starring as Ned Schneebly in School of Rock in the New London Theatre!