Tough life for an actor

He may not have reached his goal yet, but the 26-year-old Southampton actor is at least on his way, with a burgeoning stage career to his name.

Michael, who grew up in Bitterne, can be seen from Friday playing Roderigo in a new production of the Shakespeare tragedy Othello.

"Roderigo is this very sad and lost young man who's got an incredible amount of money behind him and ends up getting used," explains Michael, adding that the feeling of great wealth is not one he's likely to experience in the near future.

"I've never had any wealth. I was still being a student a year-and-a-half ago. Often these theatre jobs don't pay very well. It's nice when you're doing it and I've worked with some lovely people.

"It's when you're out of work that's hard. You do a three-month theatre job and then the money runs out. I just go and get myself a bar job.

"Being an actor is a sacrifice and people get very, very sick of it, which is why there is such a high drop-out rate."

Although stardom beckoned at an early age, Michael was initially thwarted in his desire to act.

"I didn't get into the drama group at Bitterne Secondary School and I got really upset. But one of my teachers, Nile Mason, really cheered me up and gave me lots of encouragement. I still see him now.

"I also got a lot of help from my A-level teacher, Paula Ruddock, at Itchen College."

When he wasn't trying to be an actor Michael was expressing the musical side of his nature, singing and playing guitar and drums in local bands.

"I was the singer-guitarist in a band called Mitenka. We played the Joiners and places like that. I still like to compose songs on my guitar."

At the moment, though, all Michael's energy is focused on his acting.

"I really feel I want to pay my dues in theatre. All the actors I most admire have practised their craft in the theatre. I want to be a good actor."

Othello is at the Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke, from Friday until February 22. Box office: 01256 465566.