39 Steps In Mike Smith's Shoes at Twelfth Night Theatre

Mike Smith has come a long way from falling flat on his face in his first scene on his first day in the hit Australian TV show 'All Saints.'

“It was my very first day, and my very first scene on 'All Saints' with all the senior male staff of the [show] such as John Howard and Mark Priestly. I was the new ambo on the show... and I go to push the gurney... and it goes over my toe and I just go flat on my face,” Mike says.

“They were all laughing their heads off at me and they thought it was better than any initiation. That was probably one of the most embarrassing moments I've ever had. I had to scrape myself off the tarmac and get through the scene again. It kind of broke down the nerves. It was probably a good thing that it happened.”

Mike Smith and Anna Burgess

This year, Mike is renewing himself as Richard Hannay in Patrick Barlow’s play adaptation of the hit novel and movie 'The 39 Steps' after its success of the 2013 Australian tour. “We were all interested in exploring the story even more and ticking a few boxes we didn't quite tick last time round and trying different things.

“We've all agreed it's a lot slicker of a show and we're actually enjoying it a lot more. It's written really well, but we're trusting in the story more than last year. This time round it's a lot more whacky and fun. If things go wrong we tend to run with it. It's far more comfortable this time round.”

Mike Smith, Michael Linder, Sam Haft and Anna Burgess

The play consists of 4 actors playing over 100 characters in this spy-thriller, with Mike describing it as a very “unique” play, unlike anything audiences have seen. “Probably the biggest thing is it's real theatre at its rawest as far as what you see on stage today.

“There are a few people with a couple of costumes and a few props and a very minimal set, with brilliant lighting. It requires a bit of imagination from the audience, but also it's our job to create that world. I guess it's been more challenging in that way.”

Mike graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in 2005, describing it as a fantastic and life changing experience where he was able to perfect his skills as an actor. “I loved it. I thought it was great, particularly for developing my craft and really simplifying the art of acting. It really comes down to the body, the voice, and interpretation of the work.

“NIDA gives you all the tools to choose the actor you want to be. I think that's the beauty of studying drama. It's an emotional roller-coaster... [with] a lot of contact hours. It really is a home away from home. I struggled at times, but I think it was very worthwhile and I am a much better actor for it.”

{youtube}4En4WSe7xT0{/youtube}
Mike has had experience in both theatre and on-screen acting, recently working on Channel 7's drama series 'Winners and Losers'.“It was very different to stage [acting]. It was a lot of fun. They're all great learning experiences, working to camera is a skill in itself.

“I'm glad I've had the opportunity to work with some of the best directors in Australia, on 'Winners and Losers' and also on 'All Saints.' I've taken a lot from those experiences to hopefully get myself more work in television and film. But if I spend the rest of my life working in theatre, I'd be a happy man.”

Even though Mark has worked extensively in Australia, it is still a dream, as it is for any actor, to break into the American film industry. “For me, I'm very typically Australian in a lot of the stuff I do.

“I've always kind of been working [in Australia], and always been fortunate to have work so I haven't had the need to go over to the States.

“I think our industry and our story telling here in Australia is something to be very proud of. Some wonderful films, theatre practitioners and writers have surfaced [in Australia], but there's still a lot emphasis on the international market.

“There's just a lot more material over [in America]. The Australian film industry is still a relatively small industry. It's not the be-all-and-end-all. There's often references made to 'making it.' If you've gone to LA and done a film or done a guest appearance on a TV show, then you've 'made it.' But for me, that's some people's interpretations.”

Mike says the idea of acting can be romanticised at times, but the reality is it's a lot of hard work, with a very small percentage of people who have the “big super star” success. “There are the ups and downs. There are the massive highs and massive lows and for actors, I believe success is how you best deal with those lows because they're always going to be there.”

'The 39 Steps' will be performing at the Twelfth Night Theatre from the 21st to the 26th October.