Stephen Tompkinson is one of Britain’s best-loved actors. Jane McGowan caught up with the star of Ballykissangel as he prepares to take to the Guildford stage...
In a career spanning almost a quarter of a century, actor Stephen Tompkinson has played everything from vets and coppers to journalists and priests. And after starring in hit TV shows Drop the Dead Donkey, DCI Banks and Wild at Heart, he is hitting the road for the nationwide tour of iconic 90s play Art.
The play, which also stars Nigel Havers and Denis Lawson, centres on their reaction to a piece of art (a plain white canvas) bought by Serge, revealing not just their artistic preferences but also their feelings about each other. Stephen is playing the part of peacemaker Ivan, a role he first played at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre in 1999.
“Ivan marked my West End debut so yes, it’s a bit special,” admits the 53-year-old. “I was thrilled to be able to go back to it. We have obviously had to move the three men on a bit in terms of age and experience. Having a friendship that goes back 25 years means they have more at stake. It’s a lot more moving too.”
The play, written by Yasmina Reza was a worldwide hit back in the 90s, with Stephen describing it as a “perfect comedy”.
“Mind you, you can tell it was written about Parisian men as there is no mention of sport,” he laughs. “And you would be hard pushed to have three British male friends who didn’t talk about at least one sport over the course of 90 minutes.”
Born in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham in 1965, Stephen had his career ambitions set an early age. And while his parents hoped he would attend university before embarking on life on the stage, once they saw him perform, they soon relented, funding his studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
They needn’t have worried. Stephen was employed on graduation and hasn’t stopped working since. When I caught up with him he was in the final throws of appearing as Scrooge in the Old Vic’s production of A Christmas Carol.
“I finish that on the Saturday and start Art on the Wednesday,” he reveals. “Then after that, I am on tour in Educating Rita so I think my first Saturday night off this year is sometime in September.”
Not that he’s complaining of course. “I absolutely love the theatre - although I miss the telly when I am on stage and vice versa. But it’s wonderful to have a live audience, especially when it’s a comedy. They teach you: through their reactions you learn where the funny lines, looks or pauses are. The theatre is so welcoming too, especially when the theatre is the hub of the community, it makes actors feel very wanted and that’s a real treat.”
Art is at Yvonne Arnaud from Feb 18-23. Visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
