Interview: Gavi Singh Chera Of The National Youth Theatre REP Season

Tell us about the REP Season and the roles you're taking on. Do you have a favourite?

We are alternating between three plays in REP, Consensual by Evan Placey, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare and an adaptation of Wuthering Heights by Stephanie Street. I play schoolboy-bully Rhys in Consensual, charming Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.

I have a lot of fun in all of the shows so it's hard to pick a favourite but I studied Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights for my English A Level and it is the only "classic" of that era I enjoyed reading - I remember really connecting to the intensity of the love, jealousy and passion Cathy and Heathcliff had for each other - it is as if all their feelings for each other were so much more concentrated because of the tiny Yorkshire bubble they lived in, which reminded me a lot of my childhood and my first love.

Stephanie Street has also beautifully connected the Hindu belief of karma and reincarnation, with the cyclical foundations of the universe - in the sense that energy is neither created nor destroyed, but transferred. (I urge anyone reading this to google Hindu Cosmology - it will utterly blow your mind!). The chemicals in our earth, that make up our universe, are seen in a similar vein to our characters and their choices - for instance, the abuse Hindley inflicts on Heathcliff as a child leads Heathcliff to want to seek revenge later in his life - that is Heathcliff's slow-burning "chemical reaction" to Hindley.

Our rehearsals, with director Emily Lim, have been so freeing and fun - we experimented a lot with the materials such as the soil in our play, and created little moments of theatre for each of our characters and then shared them with the group - it was so amazing seeing people make little discoveries about their characters through this explorative rehearsal period.

It is a true privilege to play such an iconic, Byronic hero, shrouded in mystery and enigma. I really enjoyed "filling in the gaps" of Heathcliff's past with my fellow actors, and making discoveries about his journey, particularly his relationship with his mum - as the novel is very much about absent mother figures. My Heathcliff watches his past unfold before him with the spirit of Cathy, played by the wonder that is Francene Turner, and by the end of the play, I believe both Cathy and Heathcliff reach a state of enlightenment - and being able to go on that journey with Francene is a true pleasure.

How did you begin acting, and how did you get involved with the NYT?

When I was 15, I did a 'Shakespeare Schools Festival' with my school at Leatherhead theatre; I played Don John in Much Ado About Nothing. As part of the festival, the National Youth Theatre did an amazing workshop with us and at the end of it, the NYT workshop leader pulled me to one side, thrust an application for the NYT summer acting course and told me to apply - and thank God I did!

When I was 17, I was fortunate enough to get into the NYT Playing Up course - which has given me the most incredible opportunities, has shaped my perspective and has honestly changed my life. I cannot tell you how much I owe to the NYT and how blessed I am to be a part of such a magnificent institution.

Which actors do you most admire - whose career would you most like to have?

My favourite actors are probably Charlie Chaplin, Pete Postlethwaite and Ben Whishaw. However, people I've seen perform and completely admire are Tanika Yearwood, Ronke Adekoluejo, Thusitha Jayasundera, Hiran Abeysekera and Shane Zaza. They all have an incredible quality and I've learnt a lot watching them all. Shane, who was also an NYT member, has really taken me under his wing and was beautiful as Abdul in Behind the Beautiful Forevers at the National Theatre, which I made my professional debut in after Playing Up. Thusitha, who was also in the play, taught me that all creativity comes from a place of stillness - this discovery has been the most liberating I have ever come to realise as an actor and person.

What are your plans for after the REP Season?

Hopefully I'll be working as an actor! If not, I've been working with my dad as an engineer in laboratories from the age of 15, so I'll be working with him. Either way, I hope to carry on being creative and learning. I used to paint and so I'd like to do more of that once it's less hectic. I'd like to pick up the guitar again too. I've been writing in between REP so I'm looking forward to having more time to develop that work...

The National Youth Theatre REP season runs at the Ambassadors until December 4.

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