Kevin Kennedy: Coronation Street Secrets & What it Takes to be a Professional Actor | The Kevin Clifton Show

Kevin is talking with one of the stars of the show ‘Rock of Ages’- Kevin Kennedy, they are ready to rock and roll the back to back shows and take the opportunity to catch up about all things from the explosion of the punk movement to being in the West End and on TV.

Kevin is most recognisable from TV as ‘Curly’ in Coronation Street but now pursues a successful career in musical theatre.

He shares his journey and experiences as a successful performer and some amazing insights into the craft of the actor.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I grew up in Manchester and never wanted to be anything other than be a performer and entertain.
• Across the Arts, the punk movement changed everything it was about people doing what they wanted to do.
• It was a massive movement, it wasn’t about the quality it was the involvement, the fact you could stand up and do it.
• I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I went to drama school.
• I chose The Manchester Poly School of Theatre, it was down to earth, gritty and vocational they wanted to produce intelligent, thinking actors.
• You were always being pushed out of your comfort zone playing roles you would not be expected to play.
• I started out as a jobbing actor and got my break in a play which made it into the West End.
• With comedy, you must be tuned into the audience so you can get the timing right. When it works there is no better feeling in the world.
• You must never chase the laugh because the audience will know that’s what you are doing
• Every audience is different they catch you by surprise
• Being funny is about being honest with an audience. Truth is the key.
• Straight acting is more intense but you are telling a story. It can be exhausting telling a story to an audience.
• With musicals, the scenes are shorter with bigger set dance pieces. The art is in conveying the story through the shorter scenes.

BEST MOMENTS

‘I’ve been all over the world and the power of Coronation Street is truly global’

‘It was a brilliant grounding; I have enormous respect for the crew because I’ve done what they do’

‘By the age of 21 I’d been in 2 West Ends, on TV and in a rock band’

‘The more truthful it is the funnier it is’

ABOUT THE HOST

Kevin Clifton is a professional dancer who has been performing & competing at the highest level for over a decade. Kevin has worked on shows like 'Burn the floor' & 'Rock of Ages' to 'Strictly Come Dancing' one of the biggest TV shows in the UK which Kevin won in 2018.

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