Greenwich performer goes from tapping boy to an acting man (From News Shopper)

Greenwich performer goes from tapping boy to an acting man

5:49pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Freetime latest news By Nikki Jarvis

Spending his youth tap dancing in supermarket aisles and making up routines to Michael Jackson hits all contributed to one actor forging his dream career on stage.

Jacob Addley from Greenwich moonwalked and acted his way through childhood, landing a spot at the prestigious Brit School.

Now the 21-year-old is a professional actor, about to star in powerful play Mother Courage and her Children at Greenwich Theatre.

He told Vibe: “It’s an anti-war play which gives out political messages – it’s saying ‘if from war you want to live, you’ve got to be prepared to give’.

“If we as a culture are going to buy into war, we have to lose people and we have to be prepared to suffer.

“Mother Courage is going through the war with her children in a burger bar, trying to sell her goods.

“I don’t want to give too much away.”

Jacob plays Mother Courage’s youngest son Swiss Cheese in the play, which also features a live rock band on stage.

The Blackeyed Theatre company production is a modern reworking of the classic 20th century play by Bertolt Brecht.

This will be Jacob’s first time treading the boards in his hometown’s theatre.

He added: “I’ve been acting and dancing since I was 10, but became professional when I was 18.

“Thinking back to when I was younger, I was really up for being a rugby player but the ballet shoes took over and that was it.

“Michael Jackson was a big influence on me – I absolutely loved his dancing.

“He was amazing.

“I taught myself from there, watching his videos and making up dances at school.”

Never having tap danced before, a young Jacob blagged a part in a pantomime which specified child stars should have reached at least Grade 3 in tapping.

“I wore my tap shoes in the supermarket and danced in the aisles.” He continued.

“I was also an extra in Harry Potter – I was Number 489 Elf on the left.

“It was amazing and really interesting to see how it transferred onto screen.

“I still love Harry Potter, I’m a big kid – but I try to avoid that one.”

Touring the country with his new show, Jacob and the entire theatre company set up stages before transforming into their characters.

He added: “We’ve got this big cart we have to build on stage, that’s my job.

“We’re quite a team and you learn so much.

“It keeps you grounded.”

The young actor’s ambition is to perform at The National Theatre one day.

“I would love to do a show there.” He said.

“Maybe something like The Importance of Being Earnest.

“My goal is just to be successful, and in some ways I feel I’m already there.

“I’m able to afford living off what I absolutely love doing.”

Catch Mother Courage and her Children from tonight (Wednesday, October 10), to Saturday, October 13.

For tickets visit greenwichtheatre.org