In our profile series Tell Us In Ten, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. From how they got their start in the industry to their favourite shows, we want to know everything.
This week we caught up with Charlie Russell, who stars as Isabelle in Birdsong at Alexandra Palace Theatre.
1. My route into theatre was…
My mum, Fiona – she was active in amateur dramatics. I was hooked from age 5, insisting on reciting my ABCs as an audition for the local panto. It was thanks to my drama teachers in Sixth Form that I learnt what a drama school was, and with their unending support over the next few years I got a place at LAMDA.
2. My West End idol is…
Monica Dolan. I saw her play Kate in The Taming Of The Shrew in Barrow-in-Furness as a child, and in the curtain call I could have sworn she smiled at me. Later I saw her play Jane in Jane Eyre – and I still have the programmes for both plays in a box under my bed! Watching her on stage and screen is always exciting and mesmerising.
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
I did a poll, and the most common answer was: ‘Knickers, knickers, knickers’.
In Birdsong, due to it being a period piece, I have many items of costume with specific purposes. So, before the play begins I run a checklist out loud of all my clothing, to make sure I’ve put it all on and in the right order. And yes, I wear three pairs of knickers…
4. My favourite show is…
I love musicals, and Operation Mincemeat is right up my street. Last year I had the incredible good fortune to watch Sarah Snook in The Picture of Dorian Gray. I ended up seeing it twice – I became totally enamoured, the whole piece, and her performance, was astounding. Funny, moving and impressive – my favourite combo.
Olivier Award winner Sarah Snook in The Picture Of Dorian Gray. Photo by Marc Brenner.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
I’m very lucky, it’s hard to choose! Performing shows that I helped to make, with my friends – The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway is pretty mind blowing to me even now. But I also created and performed a solo show, Charlie Russell Aims To Please, at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022 and simply achieving that was one of the hardest and most rewarding career moments of my life so far.
6. The hardest part about my job is…
In Birdsong I’d say the hardest part is having to work with this annoyingly talented, lovely and hard-working cast. I’ve made no friends for life and hate watching them act the audience’s socks off with skill and charm. Hate it.
7. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
I had a place to do War Studies at King’s College London with a vague plan to become a foreign correspondent. I feel I’ve spared the journalistic community by not entering into it. If I had to stop acting/writing/creating now then I think I’d either like to run a cafe or work in perfume. I like smelling stuff.
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
I’m not even that short, I just give off short vibes to make you feel good about yourself.
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Samuel Barnett once came to LAMDA to talk to the students and told us, people think their ‘stuff’, their unhealed trauma, is what makes them an exciting actor. It isn’t. Go to therapy and look after yourself. Then you can master all your stuff and become a great actor. He was right. I think I’m better now that I have a handle on my ‘stuff’.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Start. Pilates. Now.
Catch Charlie in Birdsong at Alexandra Palace Theatre from 27 February. Book your tickets through Official London Theatre.