Shaw Talent – Tom Shaw
Nige Burton has the pleasure of catching up with sparkling British newcomer Tom Shaw during the hugely successful tour of Tim Firthʼs Sign of the Times
I had been fortunate enough to interview Stephen Tompkinson during the highly successful tour of Tim Firthʼs Sign of the Times. Stephen has been one of my favourite British actors for some years, and he delivers another real treat with his faultless performance as Frank in this rather underrated little gem of a play. But my absolute shock came at the magnificent job young newcomer Tom Shaw does with his portrayal of Frankʼs YTS assistant Alan – in fact, I was so impressed with his ability that I put an immediate request in with Company Manager Brad Fitt to interview Tom too.
A little bewildered, Tom agreed, and we met up for coffee one Friday afternoon in the bar of Blackpoolʼs famous Grand Theatre. This unassuming young talent was so refreshingly amiable, and we immediate got to chatting about how heʼd started in the business, and his career to date.
“I became an actor because of a twenty quid bet with my brother,” he told me, completely straight-faced. “I was enrolled on a public service course at Huddersfield Tech, and one day I saw all the dancers going into the performing arts class.
“I remarked to my brother that I wouldnʼt mind being in there with them,” he went on with a cheeky grin, “and he bet me twenty quid that Iʼd never get in.”
Tom bluffed his way through by quoting from Macbeth – “It was the only thing I could think to do, and all I could remember from school!” – and found himself not only in the class with the dancers, but twenty pounds the richer from his brother.
“My dad was quite surprised,” Tom recalled, “but he just sort of shrugged and said ʻI hope you know what youʼre doing!ʼ”
Albeit a surprise to even himself, Tom clearly did know what he was doing, and with the encouragement of his tutors, went from strength to strength on the course.
“It was really strange,” he said, “I didnʼt really take any of it seriously, and I certainly didnʼt consider for one minute that I might actually be any good at it, but one day they took me to one side and said I should consider applying for a place at drama school.
“I suppose it was at that point that I realised I had to stop playing at it and make a decision about my future. There was no denying I was really enjoying myself – I couldnʼt quite believe I was on a course where everything was practical. There werenʼt any essays to write or stuff like that.”
It was at this key decision point that Tomʼs dad started to accept that there might be more to all this acting malarky than heʼd previously thought.
“I went off for my audition at LAMDA,” said Tom, “and when I came back and told my dad some of the famous actors who had trained there – like Richard Harris – he was well impressed.
“He turned round and told me Iʼd better start taking this thing seriously and put my back into it. So off I went to LAMDA, and I had a ball!”
The tutors at drama school soon nurtured Tomʼs talent, and his confidence and ability came on in leaps and bounds. He was also able to develop his musical skills.
“Iʼm completely self-taught musically,” said Tom, again not really aware of the achievement in the statement. “My brother is in a band, so I was always having a stab at playing stuff – I get to the play the guitar in Sign of the Times, so I suppose itʼs another string to my bow which might stand me in good stead when it comes to casting.”
Since graduating at LAMDA, Tom has dipped his toe in the huge waterway that is television drama by taking a role in The Inbetweeners for E4, and also as DC Nick in Skins.
But one of his most enjoyable roles was as Marcus Grady in the film Celluloid Dream, directed by Ozgur Uyanik for Scala / 2nd Floor Productions. “Iʼd like to do more film and television work,” Tom admitted, “but Iʼm still young and I seem to be getting my fair share of work, which is good.
“Iʼve really enjoyed working on this touring production of Sign of the Times – itʼs been a fantastic experience, quite a challenge really, but Iʼve learned so much from working with Stephen. Weʼre both real grafters, so our shared work ethic has made the relationship quite harmonious.”
I asked Tom what his parents thought now. “Theyʼre both so down-to-earth about everything,” he grinned. “And theyʼve both been to see me in it – which was a bit nerve-wracking – so I guess they are quite proud really. I think itʼs this no-nonsense attitude which has kept my feet on the ground in many ways, which is a good thing I suppose. Itʼs a Yorkshire upbringing!”
Tomʼs self-effacing personality is so refreshing, but thereʼs no denying that what he pulls off in Sign of the Times is nothing short of stunning. From his first scenes as a gawky sixteen year old – and I really had to peer hard onto the stage to try to establish just how old he was – to the second act masterpiece as the slick, smarmy corporate executive, his performance is flawless.
And if this is any indication, weʼre going to see an awful lot more of this gifted young man on our screens and in our theatres. Home grown talent like this comes along once in a very blue moon and will not be wasted; watch this space!
Special thanks to Grand Theatre, Blackpool
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