From Queen’s College to London’s West End: OQ Tom Turner shines on stage

From Queen’s College to London’s West End: OQ Tom Turner shines on stage

Congratulations to OQ Tom Turner, who’s been appearing on the West End stage at London’s Ambassadors Theatre.

 

Tom, who attended Queen’s College between 1988 and 1998, is now embarking on a UK Tour playing David Sherborne in ‘Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial‘.

 

Tom speaks highly of his time at Queen’s, sharing “I had never thought about becoming an actor until the then Head of Drama, John Marston, cast me in George Bernard Shaw’s play Heartbreak House, which we rehearsed in the old Drama hut overlooking The Lower and put on in the newly built Queens Hall. In it I played Hector Hushabye, a sword wielding, moustachioed cad and I think I’ve been making a career out of playing those sorts of roles ever since. Queen’s also supported me throughout my audition for the National Youth Theatre, with which I spent three weeks training in London and then was invited to be in a few of their productions . Then in my final year at Queen’s I was cast in privates on parade as Captain Terry Dennis; the leader of a military song and dance unit in Southeast Asia. A part I very much enjoyed. If it weren’t for the care and support I was shown throughout my time at Queen’s, I’m not sure I would be acting today. Of course, my parents had a huge role to play too; drama school fees are not cheap.

My career has taken me across stage and screen. Some highlights include working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and working with Steven Spielberg. My partner and I also set up a comedy troupe called the Grandees and we write comedy plays which we perform on the London circuit and take to the Edinburgh festival.

 

Queen’s very much helped me sow the seeds and I look back very fondly on my time there. Non scholae sed vitae discimus.”
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