In our regular profile series, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. This December, get ready to feel the festive spirit as we unwrap a Christmas-themed Tell Us In Ten, bringing you all the magic, sparkle, and holiday cheer from the world of London theatre!
This week we caught up with a West End star – we’ll leave him to introduce himself…
Please tell us your name!
Oliver Tompsett. There’s a “P”, 2 “Ts” and absolutely no “H”!
Who do you currently play, Oliver?
I play the jobbing actor and singer in my real life. It’s the worst show to be the lead character in – you get all the responsibility with zero applause.
But for now you can catch me in Christmas By Candlelight at the Adelphi Theatre, alongside the incredible Joel Harper Jackson, Rachel John and Rachel Wooding. Its going to be a beautiful, festive night.
1. My route into theatre was…
It was my hobby as a kid, then I trained at Arts Ed, got an agent, and started on the ladder in the West End.
2. My West End idol is…
Adam Garcia! Adam’s performance in Saturday Night Fever was a huge moment for me as a kid, and made me realise that I wanted to do theatre. How he commanded the stage through his acting and dance left me with that feeling determined to achieve a career on the West End.
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
Tall wannabe actor guy with the high voice that thinks he can dance.
4. My favourite show is…
The Outsiders on Broadway is the best show I’ve seen.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
I’m always striving for progression and growth, so whatever is next will be my proudest.
Oliver Tompsett in Pretty Woman in 2023. Photo by Danny Kaan.
6. The hardest part about my job is…
Telling you guys that in the grand scheme of things it’s not that hard! Big roles can be taxing on the body and voice but it’s not really “hard”. It’s probably the hardest when you’re not doing it.
7. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
A handy man!
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
I do a mean “Flight of the Bumblebee” impersonation in my vocal warm up.
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
“We’re not packing parachutes”. I guess it’s when we feel nervous about something going wrong in our line of work, simply saying “No one is going to die if you forget a line”.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Never take the easy route – longevity is only achieved by taking as fewer short cuts as possible… Hang in there. Slow growth is far more rewarding than 15 minutes of fame.
See Oliver alongside his fantastic cast mates in Christmas By Candlelight at the Adelphi Theatre on 17 December, for one night only! Book your tickets through the LW Theatres website.