A Week in the Life of Sweet Bird of Youth's Brian J Smith

Brian J Smith is known for his roles on screen in the Netflix series Sense8 and the sci-fi series Stargate Universe.He played The Gentleman Caller in John Tiffany's Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie, reprising the role for the West End, and was subsequently nominated for this year's Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor.

He is preparing to open in Sweet Bird of Youth, Tennessee Williams' play which will see US actress Marcia Gay Harden make her UK theatre debut. In the run-up to the production's opening, we asked Smith to take us behind the scenes at Chichester Festival Theatre to see some of the preparations that take place.

The Hair Dye

BJS: "Getting the blonde on."

The Chichester Views

BJS: "Not a bad place to work on lines."

The Costume Fitting

BJS: "Cast gathering for the first time in costume."

The Derek Jacobi Selfie

BJS: "Derek was not impressed with my performance in the second preview."

The Tech Rehearsals

BJS: "That tech rehearsal glow! With company members Rob [Ostlere], Dan [Tuite] and Sam [Phillips]."

The Preview Picnic

BJS: "Picnic time before one of the early previews."

Sweet Bird of Youth runs at Chichester Festival Theatre from 9 to 24 June, and is in previews now.