Jordan Walker

FIRST OFF, CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS THE BASICS, WHERE YOU GREW UP, DID YOU HAVE A TYPICAL CHILDHOOD?

I’m Jordan, an actor living in London who grew up in Northern Ireland, in Ballyclare. I would say my childhood wasn’t the most typical childhood as I was often at a ballet class or a singing lesson haha. I was never at football practice or anything like that haha!

I MET YOU IN THE LOCAL MUSICAL THEATRE SCENE A FEW YEARS BACK, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THEATRE?

My mum took me to see Billy Elliot in London when I was 8 or 9 and that changed everything! After that, I did as many local theatre productions as I could and met some amazing people along the way. I may be a little biased, but I believe the local talent we have here is insane! It’s incredible to watch my friends who I went to these AmDram clubs with so many years ago, follow their dreams and get to watch them smash it!

YOU WENT OFF TO STUDY IN LONDON, WHAT UNI DID YOU ATTEND, DID YOU ENJOY IT AND HAVE YOU GRADUATED YET?

I studied Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting for 3 years. It was my absolute dream drama school and when I think back to it, it seems like a complete fever dream that I actually got in and went! It was an incredible (and hard!) 3 years, even though the last year was during Covid.. So many special memories.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS FOR PREPARING FOR A ROLE? HOW DO YOU APPROACH LEARNING LINES, CHOREOGRAPHY, AND MUSIC?

Of course! It’s important for me to go into the first day of rehearsals already knowing all of the lines so I can focus on the one hundred other things happening in rehearsals. For line-learning, I like to voice memo myself reading all the other characters lines in the scene and leave gaps for my lines and listen back loads. Choreography - making sure to get good videos in rehearsals and going over it the night we learn it. Learning the music in a Panto is always really fun and quite chill, because A) most of the times you already know the songs because pantos have bops haha and B) it’s just something you can listen to over and over whilst going to work etc.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MUSICAL THEATRE ROLE YOU’VE PLAYED SO FAR, AND WHY DOES IT STAND OUT TO YOU?

Ooo tricky! I’d actually have to say it’s a play I did back in 2023 in London called ‘Under The Black Rock’, which was set in Belfast. I got to play alongside the most incredible line up of Irish actors which enabled me to learn so much. I also got to play the brother of Evanna Lynch’s character (Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter) which was surreal.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR VOCAL HEALTH AND STAMINA DURING LONG PERFORMANCE RUNS?

A good night’s SLEEP!!! Loads and loads of water during the day, steaming my voice with a nebuliser before performances and at night before bed is also great! I love Vocal Zone as well!

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD ON STAGE, WHETHER IT WAS DURING A PERFORMANCE OR A MOMENT WITH THE AUDIENCE?

Learning/getting to fly over the London Palladium stage was the coolest thing ever.. as if I got to do that and call it my job!! Oh.. and getting to meet the legend… Elton John, after he watched our show.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES OF AUDITIONING AND DEALING WITH REJECTION IN SUCH A COMPETITIVE FIELD?

Great question! There’s so many factors that go into getting a role in a show, besides talent. It’s cliche but I truly believe whatever is right for me at the time, will not pass me. This industry is tough, so even getting into the room for an audition is a big win. Rejection can be tough, however, I have found it most difficult when I get to the finals of audition processes or if I get super close to a life changing role etc… They usually take a week or two to recover from haha!

IS THERE ONE ROLE YOU WOULD KILL TO PLAY ? I THINK YOU’D BE A GREAT JAMIE. Haha, I absolutely love that show! For me, I’m really interested in new/original work and being a part of something from the very beginning - that’s definitely when I have the most fun and it can be a great creative process. However… randomly a big dream of mine is to be in a horror film haha - I am horror obsessed!!

ON TO PETER PAN , FOR LOCAL PEOPLE WORKING IN THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE IS ALWAYS ON THEIR WISHLIST, IS THIS YOUR FIRST PROFESSIONAL JOB IN THE VENUE ? Ah!! It’s 100% a bucket list moment being ticked off the list. I’ve been fortunate to perform at the Grand Opera House professionally when I was a child (Hansel & Gretel Scottish Ballet, Evita UK tour, Joseph UK tour). However, getting to do it professionally for the first time after drama school and as an adult is THE most exciting thing ever.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU WERE CAST AS THE TITLE ROLE FOR THIS YEAR’S BELFAST PANTOMIME?

Haha! Funnily enough when my agent facetimed me I was wearing my Peter Pan West End Cast hoodie and he said “You might want to get another one of those!” I was super shocked as well. When I did Peter Pan at The London Palladium I was a cover for a few tracks (Tink and John), so now getting to play the title role in my hometown feels really full circle. Super grateful to the Crossroads and GOH team.

HAVE YOU STARTED REHEARSALS YET? We start in November.. Literally counting down the days and super excited to meet the cast and creative team. (Also can’t wait to be a regular again at the Boojum across the street.. I’ve missed that while living in London!!!)

WE SEE A VERSION THAT WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH OR IS THERE A PANTO TWIST TO YOUR PORTRAYAL ?

The audience will be familiar with the characters, but our version picks up the story a few years after the original timeline… Also, we have a female actor (Jolene O’hara) playing Captain Hook - which I’m obsessed with! That’s all I’ll give away!

PETER PAN IS KNOWN FOR HAVING THE ABILITY TO FLY. ARE YOU DOING ANY SPECIAL TRAINING ?

You can’t have Peter Pan without flying! I’ve had the opportunity to “fly” a few times before and it is just SO fun!! It’s also a very magical part of the story and, of course, the children love it. It adds to the spectacle which the Grand Opera House is famed for!

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE COME ALONG TO SEE PETER PAN OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON ?

The list is really endless, but for me the Grand Opera House provides the ultimate escapism for two hours.

It’s pure magic and has something for every audience member to enjoy in it. As cast members, we know how special the Opera House pantos are for families across Northern Ireland, so you best believe we will put on a show that you will not forget! I might be biased as well but I believe Peter Pan is one of the best pantos to see as it’s a story that enables a lot of visually exciting effects on stage. Also, if that wasn’t convincing enough.. 2 words.. May McFettridge!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING THESPIANS LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE WORLD OF THEATRE?

I think a big thing would be to ask yourself if this is really what you want to do, is there anything else? And if not, go go go for it! Lessons can be expensive, but YouTube is a great platform for practicing. However what helped me the most was doing summer Amdram shows - it’s the best way to hone in on your talent and work with like minded local people. Shoutout to Belvoir Players! I did a few shows with them and loved every minute of it. When it gets to that time, do your research on drama schools and find the one that is right for you/you think you’ll get the most out of as three years goes by so so quickly! Always remember what makes YOU different and never lose that.

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH ME JORDAN

INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL MAY

YOU CAN CATCH JORDAN AND THE CAST OF PETER PAN WHEN HE FLY’S INTO THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE, BELFAST ON 30TH NOVEMBER. TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST, VISIT GOH.CO.UK TO GET THEM BEFORE THEY ARE GONE.