The Comedy About A Bank Robbery Interview For Performer Stuff Pro Series: Part 2 of 3. Risk, Criticism and Theatre Relevance

Written by: Mark Pawsey

January 18, 2021

To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome back Chris Leask, Ross Virgo, and Ashley Tucker from the hit London West End Show The Comedy About a Bank Robbery. In the 2nd of their 3-part interview, they openly talk to our pro series host Mark Pawsey, about taking risks in theater, the importance of criticism and how to benefit from it, and how theater keeps relevant in the world. Join these young thespians, as they share personal experiences and ‘nuggets’ learned from inside their profession. If you missed part 1, click here.

What is The Comedy About A Bank Robbery?

Show Summary: Summer 1958. Minneapolis City Bank has been entrusted with a priceless diamond. An escaped convict is dead set on pocketing the gem with the help of his screwball sidekick, trickster girlfriend… and the maintenance man. With mistaken identities, love triangles and hidden agendas, even the most reputable can’t be trusted. In a town where everyone’s a crook, who will end up bagging the jewel?

Meet the Interviewees

Ashley Tucker trained at Birmingham School of Acting and most recently played Ruth Monaghan in Mischief Theatre’s UK Tour & West End productions of The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. @TuckersTweeter

Chris Leask trained at LAMDA (London Academy of Dramatic Art) Prominent member of Mischief Theatre playing in The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, The Play that Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and BBC TVs The Goes Wrong Show. @chrisleask

Ross Virgo trained at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London and most recently performed in Mischief Theatre’s UK Tour & West End productions of The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. @rosspvirgo

Show Photos

WATCH: The Comedy About A Bank Robbery Interview For Performer Stuff Pro Series: Part 2 of 3. Risk, Criticism and Theatre Relevance

Want More Performer Stuff Pro Series? We’ve got you covered:

Mark is British and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London winning the Liverpool Playhouse Award and an honors diploma in Stage Management. He spent 15 years in London’s West End working on shows such as “Steel Magnolias”, “Taboo – The Boy George Musical” and original productions of “The Woman in Black” “Buddy” and “The Phantom of the Opera”. In 1998 Mark joined the acclaimed “Cirque du Soleil” troupe, touring the world with “Alegria”, “Quidam” and “Amaluna”. He moved to Las Vegas in 2004 to take up residence with them on “Zumanity” and then to Tokyo in 2010 with “ZED” where he became Artistic Director. He gave a TEDx Talk in Edmonton, Canada in 2013 on “The Future of Inspiration” and left Cirque after 16 years, in 2014. However, he stumbled upon an opportunity with Norwegian Cruise Lines which led to a fortuitous partnership with Joyce Arbucias and The Imagination House in Orlando, where he has been a Producer of Live Entertainment for the past 3½ years.