Introducing THE PITMEN PAINTERS: DEKA WALMSLEY

The Pitmen Painters recently concluded an acclaimed run at London's Royal National Theatre. Inspired by a book by William Feaver, and hailed by London critics as "a glorious instant classic" (Evening Standard), "a wonderful piece of theatre" (Financial Times) "a beautiful work of art that everybody should see" (The Times of London), and "a superb piece of work; warm, funny, sad, and thought-provoking" (The Daily Telegraph), the play tells the story of the Ashington Group - miners from Northumberland who became celebrated painters. THE PITMEN PAINTERS was named Best Play at the 2008 Evening Standard Awards.Max Roberts directs the British cast, which will include Christopher Connel, Michael Hodgson, Ian Kelly, Brian Lonsdale, Lisa McGrillis, Deka Walmsley, David Whitaker and Phillippa Wilson. The play begins previews Sept. 14 and opens Sept. 30 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

BroadwayWorld.com is excited to present a new series where each day we'll introduce a new member of the cast.

Next Up: Deka Walmsley

What is your hometown? How long did you live there?

Raised in Wallsend, 5 miles east of Newcastle on Tyne, where the Roman wall ends (hence the name). It was a shipbuilding town till the shipyards closed in the late 1980's. I lived there from 4 yrs old until going to drama school in London at age 20.

Does your family still live there? Who?

My mother still lives in the house I was raised in. Both my sister and my father live in the same region of north east England.

Do you have any interesting hobbies, charity work interest, etc.?

In my late teens and early twenties I was a drummer in an aspiring alternative rock band and could never think of anything but the joy of playing the drums. When they signed a recording deal I had been accepted into drama school I did not know which road to choose but hats off to my mother for her judgment and advice!

Were you aware of the Ashington Group's story before your involvement with The Pitmen Painters?

I had acted in a BBC radio drama in the 90's about the Ashington group with Corin Redgrave and so did some research then. But nothing like the interest and knowledge I have now.

You began your journey with the show back in 2007, how has your performance evolved?

Well you would have to ask the rest of the cast! I honestly think that George is perfect material for an actor. He has a very immediate presence in the play, but I have always sought to find the truth of him and find the balance between how a man who takes himself so seriously can create such comic moments.

What are you most looking forward to about bringing the show to New York/Broadway?

Well... obviously the very fact of being on Broadway is pretty damn exciting. But beyond that, it is a just a privilege to bring a play of this quality and with which I have such a long and close association to a completely new audience. But it is also a testament to Live Theatre Company and its ethos that their work and the work of those who collaborate with them has been selected to work in New York.

What do you hope Broadway audiences take away from this production?

It's not for me to tell audiences what to take from a play. I hope they give it a fair hearing and that's all one can ask.

What quintessential New York experience are you most looking forward to?

Having never been to New York I am not sure what constitutes a traditional New York experience. I will be walking a lot, and looking, photographing, talking, writing and absorbing as much as I can. My son was in NYC when he was two and I have pictures of him skating in Central Park, so if I could have a picture taken that I can put next to his on the wall then that would be cool. And if someone who knows the area wants to take me along to an after show bar for a completely genuine and unique New York experience then I may be interested.

Do you have any painting talent of your own?

Define talent! Err... that's probably a no! I love pencil drawing - much more so since I started this job. But I would be stretching things in the extreme if I were to start claiming to have ‘talent.'

Top three songs that are most played on your iTunes/iPod right now (or name the three songs you always find yourself listening to).

Most listened to:

"(This Must Be The Place) Naïve Melody" - Talking Heads.... In my humble opinion the most beautiful song I have ever heard

"Galvanize" - The Chemical Brothers ..... I love the idea of George Listening to it! But so uplifting. I cannot wait to walk past the flat iron building while listening to this tune.

"Fake Plastic Trees" - Radiohead. Sublime

Name the three TV Shows that are the highest priority on your DVR (or name three television shows on "your must" watch list)?

Season two of "The Wire." Have watched all five and this stands out by a mile and is always a revelation. "A Very British Coup" - British television at its very best. Daring, visionary and superbly crafted. "Wallander" - Swedish thriller series that is the perfect balance between human drama and ‘Oh my god what is going to happen!' Every character in it is absolutely beautifully done. They are so comfortable with taking time to tell a story.

What are the next three movies in your Netflix/Blockbuster queue (or name the last three movies you watched at home)?

My kids and I watch Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events almost weekly!

I watched a Brendan Gleeson film called The General again last night. Bloody great.

And if there is nobody else in the house I will again sneak a look at Midnight Run. Yes I know! But I don't care. It's damn funny. "Hey Marvin... look out..."

What website is your current online addiction?

I'm afraid I am very English sometimes and trawl the BBC website most days. I check in to my football teams' website most days to check which players we can't afford to buy, and I am so keen to see baseball during my time in NYC that I check schedules for the Yankees and the Mets during my time there. Benefactors please contact me at MTC.

What's the last book you purchased for yourself to read?

I bought a Lorenzo Quinn book of sculpture photographs on the strength of one amazing piece. Most of it was not that heart stopping but that one image was worth the price of the book!

Name the place you hope to visit when you go on your next vacation?

If all goes well my girlfriend and I plan to do the drive from Washington state down to San Francisco and take the time to get to see amazing places.

Favorite show on Broadway right now, or theatrical event?

Ask me once I am there!

What is the one role (musical theatre, straight play, television, film, opera, ballet) you MUST play before you die?

I was going to say I am too old to play Macbeth but hey... if Patrick Stewart can do it... But would also love to do some Sam Shepard ...

Name one thing you want to accomplish in the next six months.

I want to survive the next 6 months... and if that is achievable then I would love someone to put a proposition to me that scares the shit out of me but that I know I have to do and that asks me to do things I have never done before.