1st Act: Rita Bernard Shaw
Meet tomorrow's stars today.
RITA BERNARD SHAW
Where are you from?
I’m from London, I live in London and will probably always live in London.
Who or what first drove you to become an actor?
Well, my mumma says I came out of the womb with jazz hands. I was always obsessed with musicals.
What do people tend to misunderstand about the acting profession?
Some young actors are considered ‘overnight stars’, but the majority have 10-plus years of acting under their belts before they get their ‘big break’.
Which of your projects or roles are you most proud of?
Shiro’s Story, a three-part YouTube series which was a surprise success; and Catherine Called Birdy – the calibre of the people behind and in front of the camera really was amazing and the film has such an important message for young people.
The most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given?
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
Do you have a creative/cinematic hero?
When I was younger I saw Kathryn Hunter in Kafka’s Monkey and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more amazing performance.
Where will we see you next?
In The Power on Amazon Prime, The Machine directed by Peter Atencio and, from February to the end of March, I will be appearing in Trouble in Butetown at the Donmar Warehouse, written by Diana Nneka Atuona and directed by Tinuke Craig.
Photography Perry Curties
Styling Steph Kelly
Hair - Keiichirro Hirano
Makeup - Michael Gray