EWAN CROFT
An actor’s mum’s perspective…
MAKING THE MOST OF A DAY RETURN TO LONDON
Auditions don’t come along that often, and when they do, it is never at a convenient time. But every audition we’ve been to, regardless of the outcome, has really been a blessing – fun, challenging, rewarding and useful – and that’s before they tell you whether you have the part.
The latest audition invite was no different. Monday morning, full week of work ahead of me, and into my inbox drops a little bit of excitement from Frances Simon. An audition in London, for a film, must learn a script, and in an American accent…by Wednesday. Not sure that sounds so easy, I thought, but a challenge for Ewan and a great opportunity to get in front of a London casting agent.
So I set about the arrangements. Luckily I have a great boss who is fully supportive and a day off was quickly booked, work reshuffled, school equally agreeable to Ewan having a day off for such an opportunity. Then, as I do with all these things, I ensure we make the most of the day, so I plan lunch with my daughter who is studying in London and check out museums close by that we can visit.
Then comes the hard bit, Monday and Tuesday evening are both taken up with first choosing and learning the script, and then in applying an American accent. We called on American friends up and down the country (and even tried someone in Chigaco), skyping two to rehearse vowel sounds, and listening to YouTube accent tutorials. But best of all Ewan just spent a solid hour on Tuesday night going over it again and again with Frances, who was putting on a great accent. In the end, what seemed impossible to Ewan at the start wasn’t too bad at all, and that’s an important lesson for any actor. All of the practice, all of the desperate calls to people for help and their willingness to do so, and all of the laughter made it worthwhile.
The big day comes, and it goes without a hitch. Lunch with daughter, the audition, then the museum and the Egyptian collection, and ice-cold milkshakes made the proper way in an American diner, and then home just in time to drop into our beds exhausted.
Everything in the audition was as expected, a filmed run through of his part several times and a chat about himself with a very friendly casting agent. We haven’t heard what the outcome was, but it doesn’t really matter because the day was already a success. We had a really interesting, fun and informative day in London. Ewan put his skills to the test, proved to himself that he could deliver, and he was happy with how he did. And that’s all that really matters in my book. That he enjoys the experience of going for roles, understands the commitment required, and will accept that the audition process is enough even if getting the part would be incredible. For me, it’s enough, and it put a smile on my face for the rest of the week