Well it’s fair to say a lot has happened since winning the YAOM in 2005! I went on the prize summer school week which was a great experience, it also became a bit of a trial run for living away from home as a few months later I moved to Chester to enrol at the Hammond School of Performing Arts for three years.Since graduating I move back to the Island for six months or so, taking some time out due to a family bereavement, but moved back to Chester and then six months later moved to London.
I took some time finding my feet there, not really knowing anyone, but eventually got myself an agent and started to work professionally. I then got accepted to the two year MA Screen Acting course at the Drama Centre London, which was an incredible experience. I graduated last July, got a better agent and have been doing bits and bobs ever since. My graduating short film when to Cannes, and I have just been touring with a play adapted by Nick Dear called The Promise, which went to London, Manchester and Essex.
I finished the tour last month and was unemployed again but am now rehearsing for ‘A Christmas Carol’ which will be performed at the Dickens Museum, London during December 2015. (ah the life of an actor!).
– Tony Eccles
Winning YAoM gave me the chance to attend the Thrift Music & Theatre Camp where I spent a week with 15 students in Ufton Court, and participated in a range of intensive workshops, exploring Performance and Media. I could not have wished for a better week and I am very grateful to Young Actor of Mann for such an enriching opportunity.