After playing brooding Captain James in BBC drama Our Girl, Ben Aldridge is an actor many would like to see more of. Now’s your chance: The 31-year-old is starring in a groundbreaking new work in Kent

For Our Girl star Ben Aldridge, starring in the Marlowe Theatre’s newest production doesn’t just tick his New Year resolution boxes and career boxes – it’s also a chance to visit where he should have received his degree.

The Devon-born star, who studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), had his degree ceremony pencilled in for Canterbury Cathedral but couldn’t go as he started work as an actor as soon as he left college.

“The degree ceremony was at the cathedral but I couldn’t go because I was working,” Ben recalled.

“However, I’m in Canterbury for a week so now I have the chance to go. I’m definitely going to go and have a good look around.”

His role in Run the Beast Down – a one-man show that’s part of the Made By The Marlowe project which seeks out new work – is quite a departure from the two roles he is known for on TV in BBC1’s Our Girl and BBC2’s Fleabag.

In the boundary-pushing hybrid piece of theatre and music, he plays Charlie, a banker who has lost his job and can’t sleep. The show is a mix of mysterious and random things, including an urban fox and Kendal mint cake – you’ll have to see it to find out why – plus on-stage DJs ANoR.

“Run the Beast Down is a really unique thing. It is like nothing I have ever done,” said Ben.

“I read the script and absolutely loved it. A couple of hours later I was offered the part. When I first read it, I couldn’t quite see how much the sound was involved, but that really, really excited me.

“I have worked on screen since I left drama school eight years ago, but this feels like a real change. It has a very creative atmosphere to it. It is quite an unknown quantity until you get there and the lighting takes it to the next level.”

As Captain Charles James in the Our Girl, which stars Michelle Keegan, he is the responsible Army captain, taking charge in a firm but fair manner. In Fleabag he plays the on-off, out of her league boyfriend to main character Flea.

“Captain James is brooding and serious – Run the Beast Down is a real contrast. The characters are completely different. Captain James is very assured, with lots of responsibility. Charlie is in a very different place in his life. He is going through trying and testing times.”

“I had an ambition to be as diverse as possible,” Ben added.

“I really needed a change and a test in 2017 and it’s started exactly as I wanted it to. I wanted to step back into this really creative arena and to continue my career in a really diverse way; I wanted to do something movement-based, and to do something psychological, and this ticked my boxes.

“It is a one-man play so it is a little daunting although really exciting at the same time. It’s just me on stage. I haven’t been on stage for three years so there are a little bit of nerves.

“It’s almost like doing stand-up – it is comic and very fun.”

But don’t think it will mean we won’t be seeing Ben on our screens.

“I love Our Girl and there’s no way I wouldn’t want to do that again.”

PULSING SCORE

Run The Beast Down is playwright Titas Halder’s debut full-length production – it opens at the Marlowe Studio before transferring to London.

A theatrical journey performed with a live electronic score, it combines elements of storytelling, dark comedy and magical realism with a pulsing soundtrack.

Charlie has stopped sleeping; his neighbour’s cat has been dismembered. And worse, he’s being haunted by an urban fox. Lines blur between reality and fantasy.

The show stars Ben Aldridge, with on-stage DJ and sound designer Chris Bartholomew, who will feature the music of Canterbury DJs ANoR.

ACTOR ON A JOURNEY

Run The Beast Down is the third production in three years from Made By The Marlowe.
The script, by Titas Halder, was submitted through Roar! which encourages new work and chooses scripts which have been judged to have potential, but need extra development and support.

The Marlowe’s general manager, Paula Gillespie, said: “We want to do bold work. We want it to be bold and challenging and Run The Beast Down is a really challenging piece. I think the character goes on a journey and the actor has to, too.”

Directed by Hannah Price, founder of Theatre Uncut, the project is in conjunction with Libby Brodie Productions and funded by the the Peter Wolfe Theatre Trust and The Marlowe Theatre Development Trust.

The first two productions under the scheme were Beached and A Better Woman.

DETAILS

Run The Beast Down is at the Marlowe Studio, Canterbury, from Tuesday, January 24 to Saturday, January 28 (excluding Thursday, January 26). For tickets at £12.50, call 01227 787787 or go to marlowetheatre.com.

It opens at the Finborough Theatre, London, for a four-week limited season on Tuesday, January 31. For tickets call 0844 847 1652 or visit finboroughtheatre.co.uk