Jasmine Thomas Interview
This weekend, we interviewed Jasmine Thomas who plays Holly in The Secret the Saved Christmas at Hampton Hill Theatre between 11th – 24th December 2024.
Q. Jasmine, congratulations on landing the role. Can you tell us how you landed the role and what the audition process was?
A. Thank you! My lovely agents submitted me for the role via the casting platform Spotlight. I was then called in to audition. At the audition I met Stephen; I had a short interview and then had to do two scenes from the show. One was Holly’s monologue which I was then redirected on, to see how I responded to trying it a different way. The second piece was a Holly/Polly duologue. Then I sang a song of my choosing.
Q. You trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Can you tell us more about your training and when you graduated?
A. I graduated from Guildhall in 2020. It was very much an ensemble based training which was fantastic and meant I learnt a vast amount from my peers as well as the fantastic tutors. Guildhall is also known for being committed to craft training which means we did a lot of training on our vocal and physical technique. I felt like I left there equipped with a full ‘actor’s toolbox’ which I’m very grateful for. I feel lucky to have witnessed the remarkable growth of those who were in my year group. A large chunk of my third year there was during the pandemic which presented a fair few challenges for sure. Actor training over Zoom was certainly interesting but it gave us opportunities to connect with Industry professionals from all over which was certainly a plus.
Q. You’ve been pretty busy since graduating, appearing in numerous films and most recently BBC comedy-drama Spent. Can you tell us more about some of those projects?
A. My first professional screen role was in an independent feature film called Beneath The Houses. I played a young police cadet whose father goes missing. We filmed in Serbia which was wonderful as I’d never been there before and I love to travel. Everybody on set was incredibly kind and supportive and it was great to work with actors from all over the world.
I also shot on a TV pilot called The Contractor which was exciting as it used new technology and was virtually produced. This meant that the sets were all created virtually in post production and Green Screens were used. This meant we really had to use our imaginations as actors. It is a comedy set in Wall Street and explores Greenwashing in the financial industries. I played a fun and flirty American Post Girl which was very enjoyable.
Q. Working on a BBC drama must have been exciting. Can you tell us more about that project, specifically?
A. I worked on Spent which is a comedy-drama about a model who returns from America to her hometown of London after she becomes bankrupt in the USA. It’s inspired by the demise of Michelle de Swarte’s modelling career; she stars in the show as well as writing and producing it. She’s just hilarious and a very talented woman. I was so excited when the self-tape came through for that as it’s the type of show I love to watch myself. The director gave me a lot of freedom to be playful in the different takes and switch things up which I really appreciated.
Q. You’ve already built up a good variety of screen and stage credits including performing at Chichester Festival Theatre. Do you have a preferred medium and if so why?
A. They’re very different and I love them both for different reasons. They also demand different things as an actor. I hadn’t done much screen acting at all before I was cast in Beneath the Houses so I had (and still have) a lot to learn. A TV/film set is a unique place. I love that it’s a collaboration between so many different departments and then when everyone’s work comes together magic is created. I take my hat off to the crew and the technical teams as I really don’t know how they do it. I love what is possible with cinematography.
But also….. you can’t beat the feeling of live theatre. It’s electric. I love that the audience is right there with you and it’s different every night. It’s where my journey started too so I will always want to return to the stage.
Q. It must be lovely working in theatre over the festive period. Will this be your first Christmas show and if so, what are you looking forward to the most?
A. Yes this is my first Christmas show and I just can’t wait as I love Christmas. I’m looking forward to the excitement and enthusiasm that the audience will bring and the special atmosphere in the theatre and around Hampton Hill. Especially all the Christmas lights! I also can’t wait for the Christmas Eve performances as I think those will be really special.
Q. Can you tell us how you will be preparing for your role in The Secret that Saved Christmas?
A. Our rehearsal period is very short and as there are only three actors in the show we all have quite a lot of lines to learn. So I’m working hard to make sure those are firmly in my brain and then I need to start practicing the songs. I’m also working on finding the balance between Holly’s cheeky/naughty energy and the love and kindness she has within her. Also, the play has many different worlds/landscapes in it so I want to make sure I flesh those out so I know exactly where Holly is and what she can see/feel at each different point.
Q. What can audiences look forward to in the Hampton Hill Christmas show this year?
A. Friendly characters with bundles of energy, surprises, audience interaction and a whole load of heart! Plus the opportunity to meet Father Christmas! What’s not to love?!
Rhea Shepherd interviewed Jasmine Thomas
The Secret that Saved Christmas runs between Wednesday 11th – Tuesday 24th December, 11.00am & 2.00pm shows at Hampton Hill Theatre, 90 High St, Hampton Hill, Hampton TW12 1NZ
Tickets are priced at £11 / £15 / £20
Available from: https://stephen-leslie.com/show/the-secret-that-saved-christmas/
Running Time: 50 minutes
Producer: Stephen Leslie Productions
Director: Stephen Leslie
Writer: Ken Mason, with additional script by David Kerby-Kendall
Set Designer: Hannah Calcaro
Holly: Jasmine Thomas
Polly: Georgia Maclennan
Wizard/Varous: Jack Dorning
X: @StephenLeslie_
Instagram: @stephenleslieproductions
Facebook: Stephen Leslie Productions
Website: stephenleslieproductions.com
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