A Brew and a Chat with: Andy Cryer

Come and meet Scarborough-born actor Andy Cryer, currently busy making everyone howl with laughter as Duke Solinus, Angelo, Mr Pinch, the Cameraman and part of The Northern Chorus (just a few parts!) in The Comedy of Errors. You might also recognise Andy from his work with Northern Broadsides, as well as appearing in Alan Ayckbourn's Seasons Greetings, Henceforward, The Karaoke Theatre Company, Consuming Passions and The Divide over the years.

Here's where his love of theatre and performing began...

I think it's true to say that if it wasn't for the SJT and three very important people in my life, this lad from Scarborough would never have become a professional actor. 

I was in my third year at Graham School, when VIP number 1, Mr Dave Bradley, my drama teacher, stopped me in the school corridor and asked if I knew anything about the SJT auditioning for the role of Ronnie in their production of Terrance Rattigan's The Winslow Boy. Apart from ‘SJT’, Dave could have been speaking another language. I'd never heard of Mr Rattigan or his play, but I was very interested in auditioning for a professional theatre production. Dave told me that the SJT’s plan was to audition local lads in the area, rather than going to the stage schools in London. The lucky boy cast to play Ronnie would receive elocution lessons in between rehearsals to sound like a properly educated Sea Cadet from the Southern counties. First there would be auditions and recalls. All very nerve-racking, but I said yes immediately. 

Enter VIP number 2…Mr Robin Herford. Robin was directing The Winslow Boy. I can remember clearly travelling down to the old theatre in Westwood, walking onto the stage and meeting him. I’m not entirely sure what my audition piece was, but I think it may have been one of Bottom’s speeches from The Dream that we were working on at school with Dave. Whatever speech it was, it got me a recall!

Enter VIP number 3…Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Alan was busy working at the National Theatre in 1983, but was still the Artistic Director of the SJT and as such Robin wanted him to be part of the final casting process. I'd been asked to prepare Ronnie's big speech from the play, when he’s cross-examined by the great barrister of the time, Sir Robert Morton. I can still remember the opening lines 37 years later: “Well then, just before prep, Commander Flower asked to see me in his study...”

The two directors complimented me on my reading, gave me notes, a little redirection and said that they would be in touch. They did get back in touch and I got the job!

What followed were three of the happiest months of my life. I met a whole other list of lovely, talented, caring people that I still hold dear. There was Malcom Hebden, who had been given the task of teaching me how to speak ‘proper’. Malcom, a Manchester lad, teaching a Scarborough boy the ‘Queen's English’ – you can imagine the laughter in the green room! 

Michael Cashman and Lisa Sadovy, regulars at the SJT, were my lovely brother and sister in the play. Randal Herley played my father; Rupert Vansittart; Lavinia Bertram; the list goes on… 

What I remember though, is how welcome I was made to feel at the theatre by everyone. 

After the production ended my dream of becoming a professional actor began. The support and advice my three VIPs gave set me on my journey. I attended Harrogate College of Arts for two years and then three years training at The Guildhall School of Music & Drama. 

In my professional career I have been lucky enough to work again for Robin and Alan. I have performed many more times at the SJT. Paul and Caroline are now running the place, and doing a great job. What still holds true for me, though, is that every time I walk into the SJT, I am made to feel as welcome as I was all those years ago, as a young lad with no acting experience, just a script in his hand and a dream to follow.

You can see Andy in The Comedy of Errors until Sat 15 April