Murder mystery brings Thamesmead actor to a stage near his hometown (From News Shopper)

Murder mystery at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley features local talent

8:57am Tuesday 6th March 2012 in Leisure By Nikki Jarvis

A murder mystery will see an excited actor tread the boards near his hometown for the first time in his 10-year career.

Sydney Smith is appearing in Agatha Christie’s Murder on The Nile alongside Kate O’Mara at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley this week.

The 32-year-old actor, born and bred in Thamesmead, plays Harun the Egyptian ship steward in the spy thriller.

He said: “I’ve been acting professionally for 10 years now and I’ve been all over the country, doing lots of TV work but nothing in Bromley before.

“Every time I come back I read about actors in the News Shopper and I’ve never done anything in the right area before.

“It’s fantastic to be here, I love it - I’m in my own manor.”

Sydney, who now lives in Lewisham, has kidnapped a police officer in The Bill, played a footballer in Doctors and appeared in EastEnders as well as adverts for Tesco.

But he says working with a smaller group in the theatre is very different.

“It’s like football training working in theatre because you’re in a smaller group – I never met the whole team working on TV.”

Sydney has also worked as a teaching assistant at Hawksmoor School, Thamesmead.

“About 10 teachers from the school are coming to see me.” He added.

“I’m so proud of Thamesmead – I love it.”

Murder on The Nile runs at The Churchill Theatre every night this week until Saturday at 7.45pm with matinees at 2.30pm Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets are priced between £20.50 and £31.50.

For bookings visit atgtickets.com