Words & Images: Jeremy Williams The Kaje has always set out to discover upcoming and exciting talents, so we always get excited when a suggestion arrives in our inbox. Birmingham actor Craig Houston is just one of the suggestions that has got us excited in the past few weeks. Whilst many young actors leave their home cities for bigger media centres London and Manchester, Craig has stayed true to his home town. “Birmingham’s art scene has come a long way and is still developing further, in order to meet the same standards of other cities such as London or Manchester. Whether this constant improvement pays off, well, time will tell! The Birmingham Repertory Theatre for instance does some fantastic things for young people, something I wish I had available to me when I was a child. The Young REP, The REP’s youth theatre company, works with young people across the West Midlands. If I had known about this when I was younger - I would have given myself a massive head start!”
left disheartened by the centralisation of casting. “Birmingham has a lot to offer arts-wise, however, the majority of venues don’t produce their own work and then display it here, they gather actors and professionals from other areas and bring them to Birmingham, the REP is one of the few that produces some of its work.” But not all local artists have given up hope and in recent months Birmingham artists have been vocal about their hopes. From the establishment of Created In Birmingham, an art shop representing local artists, in the Bull Ring to the re-opening of the MAC. The surge has also seen the formation of the South Birmingham Theatre Company, for whom Craig is proud to be performing. “We are out to prove that Birmingham does have some fantastic talent to be seen and heard!”
Currently working hard learning lines, Craig is clearly thrilled as he tells me all about their upcoming debut venture. “Shakespeare Shorts is basically a couple of carefully selected scenes “You pick yourself back up from various Shakespeare pieces. I’m playing and you continue!” Iago from “Othello”. The added bonus of the night is that the show also has three musical numbers. Even if he missed his head start, the 21 year old I will be opening the show with a solo number. has wasted little time in making headway in a To be honest it’s the scariest thing I’ve ever had difficult field. “My career has been very short so to do!” far but the main highlight came in January 2010. I auditioned for a mixed band in a project was “We have such limited time on called The Nation’s Band. I love to sing and dethis planet, why waste it?” veloped my voice at Theatre School, it wasn’t until then I realised I had a strong vocal. We got the part we were ecstatic. I thought to myself “Oh my Craig realises that his time in Birmingham may God, this is it, something is going to happen!’” run short, with his ambitions potentially bigger than his home base. “I want to work my way into Sadly the dream was not to be realised. As with West End musicals. I had a taste of the London many upcoming arts projects a lack of funds saw arts scene and sadly Birmingham is currently unthe group disbanded after a dream few months. able to compete. I love my home city and wish But Craig was not left disheartened. “I was devas- there were more opportunities here, but I would tated but these things happen, you pick yourself say that I will be London bound within the next back up and you continue! In fact, my audition year along with all the other hopefuls. However, video has yet to be removed from YouTube! I’m it is not fame or fortune Craig seeks, he is just slightly embarrassed! On the total plus, I made happy to perform. “In all honesty I’d like to be some amazing friends and met some amazing working and even if it’s making a small amount people and I’m still in touch with the other mem- of money, it would mean more to me to do what bers.” I love and be paid little, than get paid a massive amount in some corporate office role that I didn’t After a dream few months in London, Craig really have a passion for. We have such limited packed up his bags and returned home to Bir- time on this planet, why waste it? Follow your mingham to continue his quest. An avid believer dreams, I’m a firm believer in that.” that local arts should be encouraged, Craig is “Shakespeare Shorts” on 18th July one of many provincial actors who have been Crescent Theatre, Birmingham www.thekaje.com
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