5 minutes with: Anna Martine – 'This is all I could ask for as an actor'

When I was 12, I toured Iceland with a production of The Jungle Book. I got to play Bagheera and it was probably the most exciting role I’d ever had. I remember washing a lot of cars to get my butt over to Iceland. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences and it stayed with me until now. I got into the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama after a couple of years of auditioning, it just was the most incredible experience. It’s a tough journey but if you survive you really relish every opportunity.

Rotterdam is a play I've connected to on many, many levels. I love this character; he’s a bit scathing, very witty and a bit sarcastic but he’s a decent guy and this journey is epic. It’s all I could ask for as an actor to be given a part that’s so layered. To be the first person to step into the shoes of this character: oh my goodness, what an honour.

The greatest effect that it’s having is on the audience. First time round at Theatre503 we sold out really fast and had crazy feedback. This time round it’s different, but it really feels like we own it. It’s Jon [Brittain]’s play obviously, but at the moment, I feel like this is mine. This is my character. The fact that it’s new work has allowed me to have those feelings creep up on me. It will be a sad day when it’s over.

It’s incredible that we’re smack bang in the middle of the West End. We’re getting so many people in; theatregoers, non-theatregoers, people from the LGBTQA community. It’s a step up from Theatre503 in some ways – we have a much wider range of people coming to see it than we did. It’s really nice that it’s popular within the industry as well as connecting with people who don’t necessarily go to the theatre that much or don’t engage with these particular issues on an everyday basis.

This exploration of masculinity really makes me want to play some awesome Shakespearean characters. Something along the lines of Hamlet. One day I'll be hoping to play a character like Medea, something really epic. I hope that will happen.

Rotterdam runs at Trafalgar Studios until 27 August.