Bishop Auckland singer and actor Steven Berry is taking on a total change of character at the end of October for his next role.
Steven will be starring in Hysterium in Durham Musical Theatre Company’s production of the hilarious musical comedy, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. His recent roles for DMTC have been very serious characters; Tobias, the half starved waif in “Sweeney Todd” and Charles Darnay, the romantic leading man in “A Tale of Two Cities”.
His latest role of Hysterium is a total contrast. He is a grovelling slave who is manic in his behaviour and ends up having to cross-dress as a courtesan before the plot is resolved. Steven said, “It has been a huge challenge to develop the timing needed to keep a farce, such as this, on the boil all the time. It all has to appear as though things are happening randomly at break neck speed, but you have to be in total control at all times. I am learning to take advice from my song in the show – to keep calm!”
To help him get into character, he and the cast of the show decamped to the Arbeia Roman Fort reconstruction in South Shields, where they sampled what life was really like in a Commanding Officer’s House.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” plays at the GALA Theatre, Durham, from Wednesday 29th October to Saturday 1st November with evening performances at 7.15pm and a Saturday matinée at 2.15pm.
Tickets can be obtained from the GALA Theatre Box Office by telephoning 03000 266600 or online at www.galadurham.co.uk.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
