197: Duncan Woodruff

Nostalgia Interviews with Chris Deacy

My guest this week is actor and stage combat instructor Duncan Woodruff who did a History degree at the University of Kent about fifteen years ago. We learn that Duncan had a plan from when he was at school to go into acting, and that his work in fight directing was more serendipitous.
Duncan used to take part in the Dickens Festival Play every year in Broadstairs, and we talk about the relation between the director and the actor and the way actors can interact on a stage in a way they can’t in a film with an audience. Duncan also discusses how the editor can change the way in which the actor comes across.
We talk about his film Occupied (Bruce Partleton, 2024) and how it developed from the original short, and discuss the various different components which make it work, and how the audience can play detective.
We learn why Duncan is not such a fan of method acting, and we talk about the role of fiction, and we find out about Duncan’s favourite scene from Occupied.
We find out why Duncan is a fan of fantasy, in the light of what he was brought up on, and about the specifically Kent connection that inspired his acting bug.
Duncan reveals that auditions can be more nervous than doing the job itself, and that sometimes when one is performing on stage mistakes that happen can lead to a better outcome. He relays a story about what happened when an accident took place during Singin’ in the Rain at Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre and how it worked to the actor’s advantage.
Duncan discusses how the best stories are about us overcoming obstacles, and we hear his thoughts on what happens when actors stop shows to tell audience members off for using their phones, and we find out when it is acceptable to break the fourth wall.
Then, towards the end of the interview, we learn what sort of roles Duncan would like to play, and Duncan reflects on what has changed in the industry in recent times, and he refers to the golden age of performing. We also find out at the end why Duncan looks back in order to look forward.