- Our Citizens
Q&A with Nicholas Ralph
Nicholas Ralph took part in a graduate actor scheme at the Citizens Theatre from 2017-18. He now has a starring role in popular TV series All Creatures Great and Small. We chatted about his time at the Citz, and what he values most from the experience.
What attracted you to the graduate actor scheme at the Citz?
It was an incredible opportunity to continue my training after drama school. And, what a way to learn! Working alongside experienced actors and in front of proper audiences. Also it’s a professional contract, so you’re getting paid to do it.
In the past, repertory theatre was almost a rite of passage for new actors. These opportunities are less and less but the graduate scheme at the Citizens Theatre offered a similar training ground. It seemed the perfect next step after drama school.
What opportunities did the graduate scheme give you?
I learned so much. You pack a lot in. I was there for ten months and performed in four different shows, playing different characters and working with different directors. All invaluable experiences. The first play I was in even toured to some different venues across the UK and rehearsed in London. Arriving in the capital to start my professional career was very exciting.
(Although, I did get a bit typecast as I played a dog in my first two shows – in Faithful Ruslan and Cinderella. I’ve since read that Gary Oldman, who did Tie with the Citz as a young actor, also played a dog during his time there, so I’m in very good company!)
Do you have any highlight moments from your time at the Citz?
There are so many highlights.
One thing that really stands out was my final play Captain Amazing. It was a one man show, and was directed by Tess Monro, who was also doing a graduate scheme at the theatre. When Dominic first came to us with the idea, I hadn’t done anything like it before so was nervous, and the first week of rehearsals was tricky as we went about finding the theatrical language of the play (so tricky that I thought upon opening this show my very short career would be over…) but once we had that locked in, we flew! The play was 60 minutes long and I had to portray 15-20 different characters. I had to be funny, vulnerable, silly, deranged and go to some very dark, emotional places, so it definitely pushed me. I learnt so much and really grew as an actor. I learned how to be more vulnerable as a performer and more courageous. It also just made me more confident in my abilities as an actor and this industry is one of rejection so that in itself is so useful in those moments.
Another highlight was getting to do a Shakespeare masterclass with Dominic Hill. I had some downtime between shows, and Dominic suggested a workshop. We did two or three days working on monologues and different exercises. It was incredible. I still have my notes and look at them before any Shakespeare auditions.
How has the experience impacted your career?
It’s influenced my career in many different ways. The Citz is famous, it’s a massive venue within Scottish theatre and the wider UK. People get excited when you mention it. They know the actors that have passed through, it’s name after name. So having the Citizens Theatre on your C.V. piques peoples interest. The variety of plays I did in that first year after drama school, and the depth of experience I gained with the roles I played also really bolstered my C.V.
After the graduate scheme, I felt ready for the professional world and confident approaching auditions. I’ve been very fortunate to have been working consistently since.
Can you tell us a bit about what you’re doing now?
My first two roles were in National Theatre of Scotland’s Interference and Wonderfool’s 549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War. I auditioned for the TV show All Creatures Great and Small while I was up in Scotland working on these plays and got the part of James Herriot. I’ve been doing that for the past five years. I’ve also done a couple of films: a horror film called Prey for the Devil and an indy film called C.S Lewis: The Most Reluctant Convert.
What do you value most from your time at the Citizens Theatre?
I think it was the people that I met, the professionals I worked with and the roles I played. The length of the graduate scheme means that you really get to know everyone. It’s not like other professional theatre jobs, where there is one big meet and greet at the start, and then you don’t really see anyone again. At the Citz there was a camaraderie across all departments. And working with experienced actors you’re watching and learning all the time and likewise with the directors it’s all invaluable experiences to see how different people work.
And working with Dominic Hill was such a pleasure. He is so concise and specific with his notes. And he has a great sense of humour, so it was so much fun working on Cinderella and wringing the most out of each scene. It was also great getting to see him working with other actors, some with years of experience. I saw how important and encouraged collaboration in the rehearsal room was and to just suggest things and not be shy for something to fall on it’s arse, you just go again.
What are you most looking forward to when the building reopens?
Coming up and seeing some shows – maybe even acting in some!
I love the Citizens Theatre and had a brilliant ten months there, it would be a dream to be back in the building.
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