AS A first theatrical step for a young actor, you’d find it hard to improve on the first touring production of Sebastian Faulks’s Birdsong.
Not only is it one of the most popular books of recent times, but it’s also about an undeniably pertinent subject – war – which offers the opportunity to get stuck into the big themes of love, hate, life and death through the story of Englishman Stephen Wraysford, who embarks on an affair with a married Frenchwoman.
Young performer Charlie G Hawkins is pinching himself – understandably – but is especially nervous about his Basingstoke visit to The Haymarket next week, as we’re the first stop on a 22 venue tour. He’ll play a young soldier named Tipper and double up to perform the role of Gregoire.
He admits: “It’s a pretty scary prospect but I wanted to get involved for two reasons – firstly, because of the project, and secondly because I had never done theatre before. There was lots for me to get my teeth into with this. I feel very lucky and I don’t quite know how it happened!”
He may be a theatrical virgin, but 21-year-old Islington native Charlie knows his way around the televisual world thanks to his role as Darren Miller in the BBC’s EastEnders – a role he began as a novice way back in 2004, finally leaving in 2011. He uses his middle initial, as there’s another actor, who also appeared in EastEnders, with the same name.
“I cannot speak highly enough about EastEnders,” he enthuses. “It was a huge opportunity and I learned so much.” And he confesses that being such a well-known face for so long hasn’t had a detrimental effect on his privacy and private life, adding: “Although it is huge and it has a massive following, you’re not David Beckham so it’s okay. Since I left the show, I am hardly recognised at all and if I do get feedback from members of the public, it is really positive.”
In one respect, Birdsong has felt familiar for Charlie – that sense of being surrounded by a supportive cast of actors who include, for this tour, Hollyoaks’ Sarah Jayne Dunn and ’Allo ’Allo’s Arthur Bostrom.
Charlie says: “They have been amazing. They all have something to show me and teach me. They’ve all taken me under their wings and it’s a real ensemble piece. Obviously, I don’t have to worry about the love plot, and my role isn’t one that’s on every page. Even if I was, it’s just an actor’s job to deal with that but that’s what makes it a fantastic first job.
“I’m as prepared as I can be. So far, in the safety net of a rehearsal room it’s been okay but next week, I am sure the nerves will mean it’s a different story!”
So what has he picked up about this brave new world? “The changing of the scenes is all new for me, props moving on and off quickly. It’s really fun and I am loving every aspect because I feel like I’m learning a whole new job. Now I just want to have some fun and have some new experiences which I am doing with this. We are on tour with the show and I am performing in places I have never been to, like Glasgow, which I am really looking forward to.”
Aside from pre-tour bonding experiences with the rest of the cast, he’s also enjoying having some free time in which to recharge his batteries after a hard day’s rehearsal.
“In my down time, I like to chill and maybe look at a few scripts. You need to relax, I think,” he says. “It’s nice to just go home and watch some TV after you’ve been that emotional.”
Tickets for Birdsong, which runs from Tuesday, January 22 until January 26, and is recommended for those aged 12 and over, are available from the box office on 01256 844244 or the website anvilarts.org.uk.
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