Benjamin Lafayette plays Prince Charming in Cinderella at York Theatre Royal. Since leaving Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts he has appeared in the short film Rajeev the Second Summer of Lover and played Othello on stage in Dublin.
What was the first pantomime you saw?
Snow White when I was about seven at the Hippodrome in Birmingham. I can’t remember much about it apart from the fact that I loved it and asked to go home in the interval because I thought it was the end of the show.
Describe Prince Charming in three words
Loyal, kind, adventurous. Maybe quite cheeky when let off the leash, swapping places with his assistant Dandini.
Is Cinderella your first professional stage role?
Not quite. I heard I’d got the role of Othello in a production of Shakespeare’s play in Dublin 2 days before I was offered Prince Charming. I played Othello before coming to Cinderella rehearsals.
After leaving drama school you appeared in a short film The Second Summer of Love – how was that experience?
I didn’t have much film or TV experience apart from a little bit of training so making the film was a little bit like being thrown in at the deep end, but it was a great learning experience.
How was playing such a major role, Othello, so early in your acting career?
If you had told me in my third year of drama school that I would be playing a lead like that early on I would have laughed at you.
How taxing was playing Othello?
Although the play was edited it was two and a half hours long and we were mainly doing two shows a day. So it was really like running a marathon, but I learnt so much. The only day off I had was to fly here for the Cinderella launch.
Going from playing the jealous Moor to a charming Prince is quite a switch
I’ve really done an absolute flip but I’m having a wonderful time.
What inspired you to act?
When I was quite young – nine or ten – if the family went somewhere where there was a stage or performance area I would get up on stage and try to make a few people laugh. As I got older I saw more avenues for performing and then learnt I could do it as a job and train to do it.
What other character in pantomime would you like to play?
I would love to do a version of the Fairy Godmother, perhaps the Fairy Godfather. There’s something so magical about that role.
Your CV bills you as an actor-singer. Which is more important to you – acting or singing?
I love singing but have no musical theatre training. I am a sucker for a harmony. I like to throw myself at things that make me uncomfortable and push me.
You’re quite sporty too
I play a lot of sport when I can. It’s a way of keeping fit. I’m really passionate about keeping a clear mind.
What’s next for you?
I’ve been asked back to Dublin to play Romeo in Romeo & Juliet next year.
DON’T MISS BENJAMIN IN CINDERELLA, 03 DEC – 02 JAN.
