Kevin Leslie is a London based actor. He is critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Reggie Kray in Rise & Fall of The Krays. He has also established himself in theatre touring with English Touring Theatre. And was an original cast member in Blue Stockings at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. His film credits are; Vengeance, Rizen 2, The Escort, and 13 Graves. Most recently you can see him in the TV pilot The Doorman.
indieactivity: How did you become an actor?
Kevin Leslie (KL): I trained at the Arts University Bournemouth for 3 years gaining a BA Hons in Acting. Prior to that I studied on a BTEC National Diploma in Musical Theatre at Thomas Telford School. But it wasn’t until my second year at the AUB. Whilst studying Shakespeare and Greek Tragedy, that I gained the confidence and realization I could do this for a career. Up until that point, I was pursuing it out of enjoyment and passion. I never really considering it as a career option.
What acting technique do you use?
Kevin Leslie (KL): I would say the closest technique to my acting style is The Meisner technique. Where the actor is behaving instinctively to the surrounding environment; the words are deemed insignificant compared to the underlying emotion. In Meisner technique, there is a greater focus on the other actor as opposed to one’s internal thoughts or feelings.
Watch the trailer for The Code starring Kevin Leslie
What wrong impression do actors have about acting?
Kevin Leslie (KL): I’m sure it’s been said before but its certainly not stable, not guaranteed and not easy. When they say its not for the faint hearted there’s a reason for that. It’s a life full of rejection, self doubt and watching everyone else around you move forward. Whilst you’re still just scraping by to make rent, so you can make it to that next audition.
In a way we’re kind of like addicts, we do whatever it takes to get our next fix! When you’re on set or stage and you’re doing what you love and being creative. That’s what makes it all worth it, that’s what you hold onto.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Kevin Leslie (KL): To be honest I’ve taken a couple but I’ve mostly learnt on the job. I’ve learnt many great things from working with extraordinary actors & directors. Especially, my time when I was on tour with Eternal Love directed by John Dove, watching how they work.
Also, from going to watch things from great theatre to amazing films and attending festivals. If you immerse yourself in a world you’d be surprised at what you will pick up. However I do recommend getting a vocal or accent coach if you have a specific requirement for a role.
What acting books do you read?
Kevin Leslie (KL): There’s too many to mention. I’d basically, say there is a lot of literature out there. I don’t read nearly enough, but, it is so worth it. Whether it be the fundamentals of acting, camera technique. Save the Cat to autobiographies of which I read a few when I was preparing to play Reggie Kray.
How do you keep fit as an actor?
KL: Physically is easier; I try and keep my body in a pretty normal state. So, when I get roles I can specifically train for the part. Whether it means putting on muscle, which I had to do for Vengeance and 13 Graves or to lose weight. I like to go on country runs as I find this therapeutic and clears my mind.
Mentally is a more challenging one for myself. As I suffered a little over the years with depression; its a continued battle. It’s why this profession can be so brutal because of the highs and lows. You just have to stay positive and believe in yourself. Focus on the things you are in control of rather than things you’re not.
How do you prepare for a role?
KL: I read a script first just to get a feel for the story. I’ll then read it a second time to get an idea of who my character is. And how he fits into it all. I then go away and do my research. If it is set in a certain period. For example, The Code, which I recently filmed was set in World War 2. So, as if going back to school, I went and learnt all about both wars again.
Watch the trailer for 13 Graves starring Kevin Leslie
Or, if the character has a specific job like a doctor, I’d research into doctors and maybe even watch shows like 24 hours in A&E. For me that’s the beautiful thing about acting; you have an inquisitive mind and want to learn and know things; you seek the answer to a question. Every job I’ve ever done has meant I’ve developed as a person because I’m constantly learning and growing my knowledge of the world.
How do you create a character from a script into a person?
KL: I simply make choices. I try and relate the character from something I might have experienced or seen. Then, I work on the voice of the character whether that be an accent or a higher pitch in my register etc. I do also find it really useful when I get to put on the clothes and shoes for the character as this helps inform my physicality.
When it comes to script work I focus on my characters want and needs from a scene and also how they feel towards all the other characters. I’ve started a new thing recently which is giving your character a secret, I touched upon this a little whilst training but it wasn’t until recently working on a feature called ‘The Escort’ that I saw how effective it could be and the way it helps shape a performance, as my character had a real big secret he was keeping. So now I like to try and give my character a secret that no one else knows.
How do you stay fresh on a production set?
KL: For me I treat it like a switch. If I’ve made clear and defined choices about the character’s personality then I just switch those traits on. Like you said, many actors have many different techniques and use many different techniques to shape their performance. So for me it would all depend on the nature of the script, the project.
Sometimes I’ve sat in corners by myself listening to music to keep myself in an emotive state, sometimes I act like the clown making people laugh between takes. I think it all depends on the character you’re undertaking. I mean I’ve even sometimes avoided sitting with or getting to know other actors if my character doesn’t get on with them. You do what ever is needed to give the most realistic performance.
Explain one creative choice you took on a production set?
KL: The most creative choices I make on set are probably lunch time lol! This one is hard as you’re constantly sharing and taking ideas that I can’t single out one moment that defined a certain performance. Actually, I did recently work with an amazing actor Michael McKell on 13 Graves and he did say something to me during a rehearsal that did completely change the dynamic of our scene and performance. He said ‘they loved each other though’, which was in reference to our characters having almost a farther son relationship.
Describe a memorable character you have played?
KL: There have been a couple of parts that have left a lasting impression on my personality and I did find it difficult to switch these off. One was Dracula who I was fortunate enough to play in our graduating show at the Lighthouse in Poole, but most recently was Reggie Kray.
Reggie brought out a side of me that I found hard to shake off; aggressive and willing to stand up to anyone that I felt disrespected me. The best example I can give of this is there was a night after filming where I went out with some friends and lets just say that’s a club I’m not allowed back into anymore. I was playing a king pin gangster for 8 weeks, 14hrs a day – it was bound to have some affect.
Watch the trailer for The Rise of The Krays starring Kevin Leslie
What do you want most from a director?
KL: Trust! As for me if they can create a safe and comfortable working environment for the actor then the actor will repay that by taking risks and pushing the boundaries because they have trust and feel safe. My motto when working with directors between takes is if you’re happy then I’m happy, because I put my trust in them that, if they’ve seen it on the monitor, they’d say whether the scenes working or not.
I’m not the finished article and not sure I ever will be so I’ll always want to do another take or try something different because I’ll feel I can do it better, that’s why I have to pass over the trust and trust in the director that he will shape a performance if it’s not working.
What actor do you long to work with?
KL: Oh wow, how long do you have! Meryl Streep, Leonardo Di Caprio, Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Cillian Murphy, Lily James, Viola Davis, Rachel McAdams, Lennie James and defo Kevin Hart all amazingly talented and at the top of their game but there’s a couple up and coming Jack Rowan and Jessica Henwick.
Why did actor?
KL: The main ones are obvious; they are at the top of their game and the best of the best and who doesn’t want to work with the best. I mean Meryl is a genius, Cillian is my idol and leads out my favourite show Peaky Blinders and Kevin Hart purely because I’m a huge fan and he has me in stitches. More seriously though I’d say Jack and Jessica because I’ve become a recent fan of their work so I’d love the opportunity to share a set with them in the early stages of our careers.
What advice would you give actors?
KL: My advice would be take control of your career. Don’t sit at home waiting for the phone to ring, get out there and give people your number so they know where to ring. I think a lot of times as actors we forget it’s a business and you are your product, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, I mean do it in a smart and clever way but people won’t hire you if they don’t know you exist.
I’d also highly recommend creating your own work and adding to your acting tool kit. So as well as being an actor maybe write a little or produce some theatre, the more you can bring to the table the easier the choice will be. I’ve recently joined up with talented director, and now a dear friend, Patrick Ryder and we’ve just produced our first short film together The Code.
What can people look forward to seeing you in next?
KL: So I’ve got a few things coming out soon.
First Vengeance is an action revenge movie; ex-soldier turned mercenary, John Gold, learns of the murder of his best friend (played by me), directed by Ross Boyask with an awesome cast with Keith Allen and Katharina Kubrick as your parents (thumbs up).
Secondly, The Escort is a two-hander drama, heavily influenced by Kevin Smith’s ‘Chasing Amy’ and is currently doing the festival rounds. We’re really hoping it makes it to Raindance this year. This is directed by the very talented Bizhan Tong co starring the wonderful Olivia Moyles. I cant wait for this film to get the recognition it deserves as it was such a tough shoot but I’m hoping Liv and I have brought to life what was an amazingly written script by Bizhan.
Thirdly, 13 Graves is a folk horror, where I play Frank one of the seasoned contract killers, disposing of their latest victim in a ‘mob graveyard’, who are stalked through the ancient forest by a malevolent supernatural force. I met some wonderful people on this film, it very much felt like a family.
John Langridge was awesome to work with – as a former actor he really respected the process and made sure there was enough time for the actors to get comfortable in the space and play the scene, because sometimes it can be very much 3 or 4 hours setting up and then the actors have 5 mins before its go go go. Also met two wonderful actors and human beings Morgan James and Jacob Anderton, who I look forward to working with again the future.
Last, but not no means least, I recently teamed up with the genius that is Patrick Ryder at Little Glass Pictures and we’ve just produced our first short together The Code, shot by (again such a talent) DOP Richard Oakes. I think this will be the best thing we’ve done to date and now we’re pushing to get our first feature ‘Paladin’ made.
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