Gregg Lowe

Gregg Lowe starred as 'Bernie' in Wolfboy at the Trafalgar Studios 2.

Place of birth?
I was born in everybodies favourite holiday resort - Great Yarmouth - on the East Coast of England. I'm half Canadian, my Father coming from Oakville, Ontario.

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
I studied at a normal school in my home town up until my GCSEs. I owe a lot of my Acting training to The National Youth Music Theatre with whom I trained for several years as i grew up During the summer months. I then went on to do 3 year degree course at Arts Ed, London

Briefly tell us how you became involved with Wolfboy.
In 2009 I was performing in 'New Boy' at the Trafalgar studios. The play was adapted and Directed by Russell Labey, and starred Nicholas Hoult, Melanie Geidroyc and myself. We had such a laugh on that job! After Newboy had finished i received the script of Wolfboy from Russell who had the idea of turning The Brad Fraser play in to a musical. I loved the script and thought Bernie would be a really interesting and challenging character to tackle.

Briefly tell us about the character of Bernie you play in Wolfboy
On the face of it Bernie has it all. He's intelligent, athletic, popular at school and gets a lot of attention from the girls, infact from everyone. His home life is a different story though. with his mum walking out on the family and his father dying at an early age Bernie is left to be brought up by his older Brother Christian (played by Daniel Boys) which is less than ideal. Bernie is a very troubled young man; lost, lonely and confused. The emotional journey he goes on throughout the piece has a huge effect on him and I believe there's something in it everyone can relate to in some way or another.

Your first stage performance?
Im pretty sure my very first appearance on stage was when I was 6years old. Its the first I can recall anyhow. It was in a production of Cinderella for my local amateur dramatics. I was too young to play buttons, cinderellas best friend, so they created the role of 'Learner Buttons" for me to play in which I had to follow the 'big Buttons' everywhere he went with a set of L Plates attached to me! Praticallly Chekov!

Career highlight to date?
As I write these answers I'm sat in the Jerwood space canteen where we are rehearsing for Wolfboy and today is also the setting for the latest 'legally blonde' auditions. I'm the only boy surrounded by around 60 Beautiful Blonde girls in pink hot pants and bras.. it doesn't get much better than this! What roles would you most like to play? I'd love to play A superhero, particularly Spider man - doesn't everyone!!? That and Paul Newman when they make the story of his life..

What's the best advice you've ever received?
''With Perserverance the snail reached the Arc'' It was actually from my sister. also a good mate of mine taught me the technique of making the perfect Peanut butter and banana pitta which I could not live without. so thank you Paul.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
My mum had me do some crazy stuff as a kid on stage and one stands out in particular - it involves a very young me, a cave man suit and a cannibal song with a lot of hip action. thats all I'm admitting too!!

What is the most annoying part about your job?
Obviously as an Actor it's never certain where the next job is coming from, and that's probably the hardest part, but its something you sign up for so it's not right to get 'annoyed' about it. It just makes you get the most out of every job (coz it might be your last!)

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
One of the reasons I wanted to Act was because I wanted to be so many other things when i was young. I thought If I became an actor I could 'pretend' to do all sorts of jobs and be all sorts of people Now though it would probably be something Physical - I loved Rugby when i was growing up and would love to have been a professional except i stopped growing at about 15 at 5'6'' and when a 6' 4'' ginger monster of a 16 year old landed on my head in a school match I realised that this was probably something i couldn't mix with Acting.

Favourite after-show haunts
Im not a massive drinker so i tend to just follow the crowd. but i prefer a bar or pub to clubs

Who are your favourite actors/actresses
theres so many its impossible to list them but; Steve Mcqueen and Paul Newman are my standards I love watching Simon Russell Beale work on stage and Mark Rylance they make it look so easy and natural. there are so many more but i'd be here for days..

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
Steve McQueen - I'd ask him if I could take his Indian for spin.

What was the last book you read, and name some of your favourite authors?
I recently read the Michael J. Fox autobiography which is a very touching, honest and inspiring story. Shantaram is one of my all time favourites by Gregory Roberts. And anything by Paulo Cohello is good to get you back in touch. I don't really have any 'favourite' authors though I like to try and mix it up and I enjoy all sorts. I read a lot and I tend to have a few on the go at a time (books that is).

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favourite movies?
I love films and watch a lot!! recently i've been watching quite a strange bag for research for Wolfboy. The last one was Hard Candy with Ellen Page, who is immense, I challenge any man to watch that film without wincing and protecting their manhood! Im a big fan of Almodovars Movies and my favourites is 'Talk To Her' and I also love animation. I do have a guilty pleasure for big Hollywood Blockbusters with lots of guns and action from time to time too..

Favourite TV programmes?
I dont really watch Tv but I am a box set boy and recently spent many hours devouring the Sopranos. That show was incredible! I have the West Wing poised for my dvd player next. Im a secret cookery program addict too, Rick Stein is the best.

Favourite holiday destinations?
Great Yamouth OBV. My brother and Nephew live in Thailand which is also quite a good place for a holiday.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
A Jar of crunchy organic Peanut Butter, some toilet roll, and that girl from xmen who can turn into anyone or anything.

What are your future plans?
I've learnt to not think too much about the future and the plans I do have I like to keep for me. I think it's important to focus on the now, but I have personal goals.