Learning English

Hello, my name is Darren Benedict. I'm an actor and I'm playing the part of Arthur.
I've got a new book out: Winter Warmers. I'll leave you a copy.
I have been an actor since I was a kid. I think that's probably true for most actors, but – yeah – no, I knew... I knew from a very young age. I was always performing and telling jokes and being a bit of a clown. And then I got into the school plays and then I got into drama school... and here I am.
Actually one of my favourite characters that I've played is Scrooge, which I did through BBC Learning English. It was my first audio book that I did with BBC Learning English and it was really exciting to do, because I wouldn't be cast as that yet because I'm not that old. So, it was a real pleasure to play such an iconic role as a younger person and I really relished it, and I loved listening to the finished product. I was really proud of that one.
The most challenging role that I've done to date was playing Nigel Farage in 'UKIP – The Musical', which performed in Edinburgh. I think it was 2015, before Brexit, and it was quite a controversial musical and there were a lot of people watching it. It got a lot of press coverage. Friends of Nigel came to see the show and made their appearance known before the show. So, there was a bit of pressure with that, but we did very well: it was a completely sold-out run and we won a Stage award. So, it was challenging, but it was very rewarding.
I think whenever I read a script for the first time, I always try and imagine the character. And sometimes it's just a... a vision that I create in my own mind, or sometimes, if I need help, I'll liken them to another character that I've seen in TV, film or stage, or a personality – you know, someone in the public eye – and I sort of try and, you know, channel their characteristics and, sort of, see the script through their eyes.
Well written ones. You'd be amazed how many are not well written. That's why it's always a delight to perform in a historical piece – classical piece. You know, Ibsen or Wilde or someone like that – Coward – where the writing was so beautifully crafted. That's a real pleasure – or Shakespeare – that's... that's a real pleasure, but I love modern-day plays and films and TV work too, but not always... it's not always written that well. So, when you do come across a modern piece of work, set in the modern... you know, current day and it's well written, your... your soul sings.
Well, I think my partner would say that I'm never off...! That... that I'm performing 24/7 and there's probably some truth in that. But I think acting is about listening and that's a good life lesson too. To talk less and listen more.
You can't really shortcut it. It's literally about re-reading and reading again, and reading again the script. What's interesting is that every time you read it, you'll spot something new, and that's why writing is so powerful and that is why every word has been carefully considered and thought through. You just can't skip through things because you... you find new meaning every time you read it. But to give you a tip, what I tend to do is I record the script on my phone and then I listen to it and whilst I'm listening to it, I'm reading it. And then the lines go in.
I think... Sir Ian McKellen is my favourite actor, just because of his longevity – the career that he's had and the parts that he's played. And he's such a solid actor. His voice is so resonant, it just... he has such a presence. I also am a... I'm a very big fan of actors that are very transformative. I wouldn't say he was that transformative an actor, but I always believe every performance that he does and that's what acting is all about. It's about you believing that performance and he's like no other for that. And no, I can't do his... do an impression of him. I wouldn't do it justice.