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The cast of The Inheritance offers advice to their younger selves

Don’t grow up too quickly and ignore your sports teacher, find out what other nuggets the cast of Stephen Daldry’s heart-wrenching production have for their past selves

Guest Contributor

London

01 October 2018

Hugo Bolton, Syrus Lowe and Andrew Burnap
© Johan Persson

Matthew Lopez's riveting two-part play The Inheritance, which originally opened at the Young Vic and is about to open in the West End, follows a generation after the AIDS crisis and asks, What is it like to be a gay man living in New York now? Here, we ask several of the large ensemble cast what advice they would give to their younger selves.

Hugo Bolton

Don't let anyone try to sway you from doing what you want to do. Trust yourself and the decisions you make. Don't grow up too quickly. And don't listen to that annoying sports teacher who told you it didn't matter if you didn't have a gum shield and broke your teeth because 'you'd never succeed in acting anyway'.

Robert Boulter

Everyday work to be a little better than the day before. Say yes more. Get a dog as soon as possible. Invest in Netflix. Save for a Ferrari – I'd really like a Ferrari!

Andrew Burnap

I would tell myself not to worry so much. Take everything as it comes and have faith that all will be well, in time. When you find joy and meaning, write about it, live inside of it, and share it with all you encounter. And when you inevitably find yourself in pain, know that it too shall pass, but most importantly, do not let your suffering go to waste.

Hubert Burton

I used to tease my dad when he'd tell me that 'life is a marathon not a sprint' as it always felt like a bit of a cliché. But actually, I think he's completely right. When you're young it's really important to take your time. Don't be disappointed when things don't happen as fast as you'd like them to or feel pressured into making any rash decisions. Take time to enjoy being young. Figure things out at your own pace. It'll make things a lot easier later on.

Paul Hilton

My advice to my younger self would be the advice that my mother gave to me just before she died. "Life is short. Live it well". Nothing more. Nothing less.

Syrus Lowe

Life does not end at 30 and you do not have to have achieved all your wants and desires by this age. Believe in yourself and do not allow your inner critic to get too loud. It is a barrier between you and your art. And enjoy the current trend of '90s R'n'B because music really doesn't get any better than this!

Michael Walters

To search for a true balance of work and play. All work and no play may seem like you're on the right track to achieving your goals, but it essentially proves to be unhealthy in the long run. So get out and engage in social activities and let loose once in a while.