Adam to play the ‘Master of Suspense’
AN AWARD-WINNING author and actor is to take on the role of one of the world’s most famous directors.
Adam Perrott, 39, will be playing the role of Alfred Hitchcock in the play Hitchcock Blonde at The Brindley Theatre in Runcorn, on April 13 and April 14.
The adults only play is based on Terry Johnson’s gripping dark comedy about legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock, who is searching for a blonde for the famous shower scene in his 1960 psychological horror thriller film Psycho.
Adam, who was born and raised in Rochdale, said: “The play is beautifully written and it is a treat to bring Alfred to the stage and I can’t believe I get to do it.
“This role attracted me because I love voice mimicry and my passion is the theatre and the stage.
“My demeanour and personality is nothing like Alfred and he is not like the silly and wacky characters that are joyous and fun I tend to play, but I was mad about getting this role and really excited.
“I can’t wait to meet my co-workers and my friends are also really excited that I get to work alongside well established professionals in the industry.”
The actor has been watching Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes on YouTube to study and practice his mannerisms, facial expressions and voice.
He is also reading the film director’s biography written by Peter Ackroyd which has offered him an insight into his childhood, life and career and how he may have acted away from the cameras.
Anthony Hopkins’s performance as Alfred Hitchcock in Hitchcock provided the actor with some inspiration, but he prefers to approach the character in his own way and wants to portray Alfred as true to his character as possible.
The father of three saw the acting role being advertised by Northern Comedy Theatre.
Upon submitting his application he was invited for a zoom audition on July 14 and subsequently was invited for an in person audition on July 26.
He said: “During the audition I wanted to be off book although you don’t have to.
“I was drinking these words in and I wanted to present the best version I could.
“I have been carrying the script everywhere I go for the last year now and practicing whenever I get spare time.”
On August 2, Adam received an email confirming he will be starring in the play alongside actress and dancer Vikki Earle as Blonde, model, singer and actress Farron Ronan as Jennifer and soap star Phil Gwilliam as Alex.
The former Crompton House School student said: “Alfred is a highly ambitious, intelligent and eloquent man but he can be controlling and rude as you’ll see in the play.
“But there are many twists and turns and just when you think you know Alfred he will surprise you.”
During lockdown he decided to pursue what he loved and read many books, wrote scripts, got involved in plays and partnered with an agent, and he has now been in the acting industry full time for two years.
He has starred in Greater Manchester Fringe and took on the role of World War One Private Harry Hayes in I, Remain with Starry Night Theatre Productions and played Tommy Bust in Project Baba with Poppa’most Theatre Company. Adam can also be spotted in Netflix’s The Irregulars, Emmerdale and Cobra.
People also recognise Adam from his popular children’s books, including Eerie Deirdre Darkly, which won the inaugural Beryl Bainbridge Award for a First Time Author at The People’s Book Prize, and The Odds, which won The Lancashire Fantastic Book Award.
The former Green Street Three band artist said: “My interest in acting began around three when I watched Loony Toons.
“I loved the colourful chaotic world the show presented and it formed my earliest sensibilities of what life could be.
“I remember walking to primary school with my dad saying I would love to sit at home and write stories all day.
“In secondary school I auditioned for my first school production, Oliver Twist, and I got the Artful Dodger role and it changed everything.
“I love my job because you can dream things up all day and I love making up characters whether acting or literary, it’s the same sort of thing, making a person that didn’t exist until you said it could.”
The actor and writer is well known in the community for bringing joy to children as doorstep Santa and for the story and song times he took part in across Rochdale borough libraries.
During the pandemic Rochdale Borough Council live streamed his sessions where he would play his guitar and sing nursery rhymes as well as read stories.
To book tickets to see Hitchcock Blonde at The Brindley Theatre visit Northern Comedy Theatre’s website.