In a way, being recognised is the nice part of acting
VERSAILLES STAR ALEXANDER VLAHOS TELLS MARION McMULLEN WHY HE’S TAKING A WALK ON THE BARD SIDE FOR EUROPE’S FIRST EVER POP-UP SHAKESPEAREAN THEATRE
How are you getting in shape to play Romeo in Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet this summer?
(LAUGHS) Well, I’m not stuffing myself with croissants and sausage rolls. That would be a very different sort of Romeo.
I run a lot and I’m into sports and play football with my old drama school, but I’m not a gym person. I hate the gym.
Are you a Shakespeare fan?
I LOVE it. I absolutely adore it. My last Shakespeare was Macbeth in New York with Kenneth Branagh.
I played Malcolm. It was a three-year job really, an amazing experience – working with Ken and doing Shakespeare.
Shakespeare wrote these plays centuries ago and they are still being performed.
(Laughs) He has done his job ... and he’s not even getting any commission.
What was your introduction to the Bard?
THE first Shakespeare I saw was in the Welsh language. I speak Welsh and I saw a production of Midsummer Night’s Dream at Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre and it was in Welsh.
I didn’t really know what I was seeing, it was a bit of a mess, but I had a good drama teacher at high school and I devoured, gorged on, all these great texts.
I remember reading King Lear and just loving the words.
Shakespeare’s words are there to help you not to hinder and they can give you a massive push.
What was your first acting role?
THERE’S a Welsh TV soap called Pobol y Cwm and my Mum worked for the BBC at the time and saw a poster saying they were looking for young boys who could speak Welsh to appear in it.
My mum asked if I fancied doing it and I went along and then got a cheque for £360 for doing two episodes.
For a 14-year-old that was remarkable. I bought a Nintendo 64 with the cheque, I missed school to appear and I got a lot of attention from girls. (Laughs) I just thought ‘Hold on, I missed school, got paid and got girls’ attention – hmm – I think there’s something in this.’
How did the acting develop?
I DID drama with a wonderful woman called Lowri Cynan, who saw a passion in me and pushed me in the right direction.
I was a really naughty kid and she would give me detention, but detention involved looking at scripts and encouraging me to take my energy and put it on the stage.
Do you get recognised now for your TV roles?
YES, for Versailles especially and even for Merlin (he played Mordred). It’s the nice part of acting, in a way.
I remember being stuck on the overground one day and I had my headphones and there was an elderly couple sitting opposite me and the old guy was not paying any attention, but the woman kept hitting his leg and saying ‘Look, it’s Philippe from Versailles.’ In the end I went over and said hello.
Did you warn your family in advance about some of the more raunchy scenes in Versailles?
(LAUGHS) I did tell my Dad ‘You might want to skip my introduction in Versailles.’ It was between a man’s legs, shall we say.
I did tell my family there was male frontal nudity in the series and I play a homosexual who is married.
They know it’s a job and they are really proud of me and, in the long run, that’s all that matters.
Did you realise at the start how successful Versailles would become?
WHEN I and George (Louis XIV actor George Blagden) started we thought ‘this might never see the light of day outside France,’ but season one sold to 135 countries and the last sold to 191 – and there are only 196 countries in the world.
(Laughs) I want to know the five that have not bought it.
Are you looking forward to performing at Europe’s first ever pop-up Shakespearean theatre in York this summer?
(SMILES) I turn 30 during the production and I will actually be performing Romeo And Juliet on my birthday. I will be playing an 18-year-old boy as I’m turning 30.
It’s going to be a whole summer of firsts – I’ve never played Romeo before, I never done an open air performance and I’ve never even been to York.
They are all firsts for me. I couldn’t quite envisage it when they were talking about the theatre, but it’s 13-sided, very historical looking and the most amazing sight to behold.
It’s just going to be the most incredible experience. If I was not part of the acting company I would want to go and see the season.
Romeo And Juliet is part of the Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre season which also includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo And Juliet and Richard III. The season runs from June 25 until September. Go to shakespearesrosetheatre.com for full performance schedule and ticket prices.