An introduction to the cast of NYT's Selfie

"The first duty in life is to be as artificial as possible. What the second duty is no one has as yet discovered."

The National Youth Theatre presents an electrifying world premiere of Selfie, inspired by Oscar Wilde’s iconic tale of deception, youth, and vanity. In an age of self-obsession and advancing technology, everyone is capable of becoming an artist of his or her own life.

This new staging by the National Youth Theatre brings literature’s most conceited anti-hero back to contemporary theatrical life in decadent style. Dorian, plagued by self-doubt and vanity has to choose between artifice and reality in this scandalous tale which will be like nothing you’ve seen before.

Let's meet the cast:

Name: Adam Deane

Age: 23

Where are you from?
Kent

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

A chance to gain professional training whilst working as part of a company. Learning while working.

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

I am most looking forward to working with the other members of the REP, learning from each other and supporting each other’s development.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Timothy Dalton, because he has worked hard in a diverse range of roles on stage and screen, even managing to shake-off being typecast following the James Bond films.

Name: Ayten Manyera

Age: 18 – the youngest member of the REP company

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in South East London. My family are from Turkish Cypriot background, my father being born in Cyprus and moving to London when he was 18.

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

I am looking forward to working with fellow NYT members who I can experience this journey with. I am excited to be taught different skills for the different aspects of performing, whether that is in theatre, television or film.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

I admired everyone in the NYT REP Company 2013, but Sophie Ellerby's performance stood out to me the most. Her adaptation of Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet inspired me to audition for the Rep, as it showcased her versatility as an actor, as well as showing the audience she can challenge any role.

Name: Dominic Wood

Age: 22

Where are you from?

From Tameside, Manchester – near the Pennines; have been living in and around London for the past three years, on and off.

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

Everything. Seriously. In all earnestness. I was on the brink of despair in an artisan German bakery before this, advising customers on Quark content and the specific shape of the Pretzel.

The REP means I finally feel like I'm on the ladder in the industry, and I can't tell you how exciting that feels. And to be unbelievably supported every step of the way – by professionals who have "done it all" – showering you in experience – is a true gift. I always wanted to train within a company of dedicated emerging artists engrossed in an intensive environment, and with the REP, that wish has become a vivid reality – better than I ever envisioned.

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

Performing at the Ambassador's theatre and making friends for life.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

David Suchet. His phenomenal talent and unbelievable career give me daily inspiration.

Name: Ellie Bryans

Age: 22

Where are you from?

I'm from London, but grew up in Switzerland for 10 years.

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

Becoming an NYT member completely shook up my life. I joined at a time when my confidence was lower than ever and I didn't know which direction I was heading in. Since then I've made like-minded friends that I used to dream of meeting, have performed in some incredible spaces and now feel strong and certain about undertaking a fulfilling and lifelong artistic journey. Getting into the NYT REP company feels like I've just been proposed to by the love of my life. Yes!

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

Developing three plays with a REP company is a rare and exciting opportunity for any actor. I'm really happy that our showcases will be at the amazing Ambassadors Theatre in the West End. My Nan told me to 'bloody hurry up' and now she, my friends, and family will see what all this madness is about.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

I think it would have to be Patricia Doyle. She was the National Youth Theatre's first female member, and to this day is still involved, being a mentor for one of my fellow REP members. I'm all for pioneering women and life long commitment to NYT.

Name: Fabian McCallum

Age: 19

Where are you from?

I was born in London but I moved to Sydney, Australia at the age of 10.

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

Performing at the Ambassadors theatre is an exciting thought. Working with industry professionals and 14 talented aspiring actors is equally thrilling.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Chiwetel Ejiofor is an inspiration, I think he is one of the most sincere and passionate actors around today.

Name: Grace Chilton

Age: 23

Where are you from?

I'm from London, have been living in Glasgow for the past three years whilst training and now am back in London after graduating in summer.

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

It's a privilege – that word is somewhat overused. But it really is. To have this opportunity to train for 8 months, to work with and be taught by professionals we might never otherwise have had the chance to meet, and to learn from them and from the other members of the company is really exciting.

What do you hope to learn and achieve over the next 8 months?

Be Better.
At Acting.
Find confidence
Enough.(not too much.)
Learn how to be both creative and business minded.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Sir Derek Jacobi.

Name: Iqra Rizwan

Age: 24

Where are you from?

I was born in Pakistan, I grew-up in New York and in my teens we settled in London. London is home now.

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

The NYT Rep Company experience so far has been so full of so many wonderful, eye-opening and inspiring highlights/experiences, Hamish Pirie's Theatre Workshop was an amazing awesomely inspiring and mind-opening experience. Creating work and improvised pieces with Hamish and being able to play around with scenes, characters, tensions and working deeper with the layers of each scene was such a wonderful opportunity and gift and we all very much enjoyed and fell in love with his approach to creating work and playfulness. It was also a joy to have the opportunity of visiting and studying with the RSC, Shakespeare's words were alive and jumping in the room and the RSC staff were so wonderful, we were all so inspired and learnt so much, there have been so many highlights and I genuinely look forward to every morning of this experience and our continued journey of play, discovery and learning.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

My mentor Ella Smith is an amazing woman, every time we meet and talk my mind opens and her energy, presence and passion for theatre is very inspiring. The wonderful thing about NYT is the community, care and nurture amongst the people and the genuine joy of togetherness and storytelling and you genuinely feel this spirit hit you every time you are amongst the NYT community.

Name: Jeremy Neumark Jones

Age: 24

Where are you from?

Palmers Green, London, for my entire life.

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

Nothing less than the opportunity to build upon an ambition I have had from a very early age. It was such an overwhelming experience when I was told that I almost did not know how to react, and I am still digesting it some weeks on.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Chiwetel Ejiofor. There is no compromise in what he does, and I have never been more compelled than when watching him perform Othello at the Donmar Warehouse.

Name: Kate Kennedy

Age: 24

Where are you from?

Born in Connecticut and have lived in Texas and Brussels. Spent most of my time in a little place called Marlow.

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

It means the unexpected opening of many many doors I thought were locked. Or didn't exist.

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

I'm looking forward to juggling three plays in REP. I often find myself in comedy roles – its going to be a fantastic opportunity to have three entirely different roles.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

At the moment- Ellie Kendrick. Her career path in the last few years is highly admirable. Some really interesting TV and Theatre parts – shes making some awesome choices.

Name: Ragevan Vasan

Age: 22

Where are you from?

South-east London (born and bred). More specifically Carshalton. Lived in Bristol for 3 years whilst at university.

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

I think it's the most incredible platform for young actors starting out right now. The opportunity to represent a national company like this is a huge privilege. Working with other companies of such artistic integrity is a fantastic insight and the final west end season is a chance like no other.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Chiwetel Ejiofor, an actor with incredible integrity and from South London! I'm sure this may seem an obvious choice but I've watched him since Dirty Pretty Things and he plays real people with fascinating stories. On stage he commands the space with such ease!

Andrea Riseborough, I think she's one of the finest young actresses from UK and NYT. She's so intelligent and constantly surprises me by making bold choices. A huge talent who I respect an enormous amount.

Name: Sam Hevicon

Age: 25

Where are you from?

Eltham, Greenwich.

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

I haven't performed for two years and I've been working jobs that I don't enjoy but I've had to endure with the hope that something more exciting might present itself. Having not had any such platform to express myself creatively for what feels like a very long time, the REP feels extra special and cherishable.

What do you hope to learn and achieve over the next 8 months?

I feel like I've already achieved getting this far, I'm already winning! So anything else I take away is a double bonus. I want to continue progressing and discovering. As long as I'm developing as a performer and honing my craft I'll be achieving.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Ben Kingsley. I've watched him in Sexy Beast over and over. He's fearless.

Name: Sophie Dyke

Age: 20

Where are you from?

I’m from Warwick, you’ll need a microscope to find it it’s oh so tiny. It’s the one with the castle, and the Tudor buildings that look like they were made out of liquorice!

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

There’s quite a volume of things and feelings I can think of. Getting into REP makes that hope I have of making a sturdy living out of being an actor that bit less daft, I feel I can shed my skin of self-doubt and replace that with some degree of self-belief for myself. It means I can get along in this industry, knowing I have this training and experience wedged firmly to my brain, and probably my heart too. I always come across so much generosity which seems to be inbuilt into everything NYT does and being a part of REP means I can have that network of support behind me. Putting it mildly, I’m quite proud to take (snatch, gratefully) a golden ticket of a place with NYT REP. I’m especially proud because it is NYT, a company that I already feel I owe a lot to, so I am to value this next year probably more than anything.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Helen Mirren is my favourite of the alumni because she is daring, especially her role on stage as the Queen. She bravely hurtles the truth at you, and I suddenly became curious about the Queen, she made such a distant figure relatable, scrutinizing until humanising. She is just amazing.

Name: Stuart Wilde

Age: 22

Where are you from?

Cambridge

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

Taking all that we learn in the first few months and putting it in to practise during our rehearsal process.

What do you hope to learn and achieve over the next 8 months?

To gain confidence and develop discipline. To gain the skills and techniques to approach any audition/acting role and become ready to enter hopefully what will be a life long profession.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Sir Ben Kingsley. His range of work is immense and he has had an incredible career.

Name: Temi Wilkey

Age: 21

Where are you from?

I'm from North London. I used to live in Enfield, then Southgate and now I live in High Barnet. I've sort of dotted around the leafy suburbs of Greater London.

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

I think, most of all, working within a Company excites me so much. I felt like, on the acting scene at University, people were always in competition for the best parts or to put on this or that show.

I feel like it is going to be so refreshing to learn with a group of people for such a long time and work with them to create shows together.

That healthy and nourishing Company feel is such a big part of every experience that I've had with NYT to date and why I'm so excited to be a part of it.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Probably Chiwetel Ejiofor. I feel as though, at the moment, he chooses to work on productions that are really important and have something to say. He's also working so well within both Film and Theatre.

Name: Zoe Walshe

Age: 25

Where are you from?

Lewisham, London

What does being a member of the NYT Rep mean to you?

The opportunity to take risks and develop through on-the-job experience.

What part of the NYT Rep Company experience are you looking forward to most?

The chance to create a strong ensemble – a company that knows each other's work and can support each other to progress.

The variety of industry professionals that we get to meet, work with and audition for.

What do you hope to learn and achieve over the next 8 months?

I hope to learn more about how the industry works and get hands on experience of the variety of approaches that directors/companies may use within theatre/tv etc.

Which former member of NYT do you most admire and why?

Anna Niland because of her experience and passion as an actor and a director. I admire her creativity and vision, and the way she has developed a process that allows the space for personal and artistic growth. Her passion is infectious, and she inspires those around her.