Caro Meets Theatre Interview

Dario Coates: Sid

By Caro Moses | Published on Wednesday 14 September 2016

If you were round and about the Camden Fringe last year, you may perhaps have found your way to seeing a show called ‘Sid’, a play by Leon Fleming centring on someone with a Sid Vicious obsession. Then, and on subsequent UK tour dates, it’s had much critical acclaim.

The show is now back in the capital, for a run Above The Arts. I put some questions to its star, ‘Corrie’ alumnus Dario Coates, who has won high praise for this solo performance.

CM: Can you tell us a bit about the play – what happens in it?
DC: The Play is about Craig, a young man who is trying to find a sense of identity and purpose through punk music.

CM: What attracted you to this role? Do you enjoy performing alone?
DC: It was the script that interested me initially, and then the challenge of doing a one man show. What’s great about this piece is its engagement of the audience, meaning that although I’m the only actor, the audience becomes my scene partner.

CM: Can you tell us a bit about the playwright, Leon Fleming? Has he been directly involved with this production?
DC: He has, yes. The play began life as a fifteen minute monologue that was expanded into the show we have now. Throughout that, Leon has been constantly altering and improving the text.

CM: The show first ran at the Camden Fringe in 2015, and has since toured the UK. Has your approach to your performance changed at all since those early dates?
DC: Every time we’ve revisited the play we’ve discovered something new. As an actor you’re always trying to improve and a lot can change in a year. I suppose I’m more relaxed within the work. I know the play well enough now that I can play around and explore.

CM: Are you a fan of punk, or indeed Sid?
DC: Not nearly to the extent of Craig, but yes I do like it. Doing research on Sid you can’t help but admire the attitude and principal behind the movement.

CM: The plays seems to have hero worship as a central theme – do you have any heroes you look up to yourself?
DC: Mostly great actors. Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Rory Kinnear to name a couple.

CM: Did you always want to be a performer? How did you end up in this business?
DC: I’ve always enjoyed acting, ever since I was young. Through my youth theatre group I ended up in ‘Coronation Street’ and from there went to drama school.

CM: What’s better, acting for TV, or performing for a live audience?
DC: Theatre. When it’s good, there is nothing better.

CM: What’s next for you, after this?
DC: Hopefully something exciting!

Dario performs ‘Sid’ at Above The Arts from 19 Sep-8 Oct. See this page here for more info and to book.

LINKS: artstheatrewestend.co.uk | twitter.com/sidtheplay

Image: Roy Tan