A Conversation With A West End Personality - Sam Mackay
I am fortunate to have so many acquaintences and friends both in training and within the theatre industry, Sam Mackay performing in several shows on London's West End. When I approached Sam with my questions he was more than happy to answer.
Television or Theatre?
Must I choose?
To watch I love both…
To perform, nothing beats the buzz of live theatre.
However for opening more career doors and the ability to actually earn some decent money in life- Thank you TV!!
'In The Heights' or 'Flashdance'?
'In The Heights'…hands down. No disrespect to Flashdance but Heights is just…Heights.
Theatre or Cinema?
Ooof again I love both art forms. Perhaps Live Theatre for being more tangible and immersive though.
List your theatre credits and roles played.
Oh gad, emitting the more obscure and bizarre ones: 'Our House' 1st UK TOUR – Reecey
'Mamma Mia' – Eddie …yup that happened
'Flashdance' – Jimmy
'5,6,7,8' (Royal Court) - Lamar
'Wonder.Land'- Dee
'In The Heights' - Usnavi
What was the first musical you performed in? And how old were you?
The earliest full musical I remember doing was 'West Side Story' with my childhood theatre school (shout out Sue Nieto Theatre School in North West London) I played Riff and I must have been about 13.
What is your favourite musical/play?
Such a tough one. Hamilton genuinely blew me away on Broadway and is certainly one my favourites ever. Can’t beat 'West Side Story' for a classic though.
Do you have any pre show rituals?
Depends entirely on the role…outside of the usual warm ups though I generally find a number of triggers that help me transition into that specific characters movement or vibe. For Reecey, it was breathing in the smell of his leather gloves and walking about like a boxer.
For Usnavi it was being communal and positive pre show as well as running through a couple of old school raps to get into that mindset. The moment that Kangol went on my head it felt right though…. The company then knew it was showtime when they heard me shouting every night “OK YA’LL LETS GO!!” …for which I was relentlessly takin the mickey out of, all with love and good humour though.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Bovril… does that count?
What do you do when you are off from a show?
I try to enjoy the rest for all of an hour and then get incredibly frustrated that I’m not on the show If it’s because of illness or injury. If I’m off on holiday though…..byeeee I’m off on an adventure somewhere!
What is your proudest moment so far?
I suppose performing 'In The Heights' at the Oliviers has got to be up there. Also performing Usnavi in front of the man who created the show and starred as him was pretty special.
However I’ll never forget the first time I saw my face on a poster for 'In The Heights' in London, you grow up wondering if you’ll ever get to do that and I remember being pretty overwhelmed as it hit me all the work that had brought me to that moment stood opposite my own face on the underground.
Dream part of the opposite sex?
Elizabeth Schuyler or Velma Kelly. I’m not very good at giving one answer am I?!
Where did you train?
As a child - Sue Nieto Theatre School
As a young adult - Arts Educational School
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My mother. I mean that with all sincerity. If I can be half of the person she is I’ll be doing okay.
Do you have any advice regarding auditions or recalls?
For auditions - Stay true to what you believe is right for the character and don’t worry about what other people in the room are doing. Be friendly and open and willing to take direction but don’t be down on yourself if you don’t get something, believe in the vision you created for the role…if it wasn’t right for them this time around so be it….on to the next.
If you could have your own musical/play who would you want to headline it?
ME! I can always do with the work! Ha! If I’m not available then I’ll settle for Mark Rylance.
Describe yourself in three words.
Passionate, Cogitative, Silly.
If you could pick your ultimate role to play what would it be?
If they’d ever be comfortable with a white Hamilton of Eastern European immigrant descent of course I’d love to play it… but can fully understand and sympathise with the arguments against it!
What was the last production you saw?
'Book of Mormon' for the second time!
Do you have any further projects to look out for?
Unfortunately any projects I’ve been working on have required me signing an NDA so it’s mouth shtm!… however. I’ve been doing a lot of photography recently which you can check out at www.sammackayphoto.com It’s been a real creative outlet of mine for years now and there’s lots going on with that for me…for all acting news though catch me over on twitter and I’ll keep you updated!
Social media links.
@sambmackay
@sammackayphoto facebook.com/sammackayphotography
Huge thank you to Sam Mackay for taking time out of his schedule to chat with me. I look forward to seeing Sam's forthcoming projects.