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EKOW QUARTEY My Dulwich College
I have been very blessed in my career so far. My first job out of drama school was in Spring Awakening with Headlong Theatre. And since then I have had the privilege to perform at the National Theatre in Amadeus, Peter Pan and As You Like It and at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Richard II . I went on a tour across America with Inua Ellams’ Barber Shop Chronicles . I have had fun on screens big and small in Call the Midwife , This Way Up, Enterprice and The Current War . I cannot lie, I count myself very lucky so far. What’s been your favourite acting role so far? I have been so lucky in my career so far but a highlight is playing Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe Theatre. The director Sean Holmes, the company and the production were all so joyous, truthful and supportive from day one. The show itself just fostered so much confidence in everyone because it was so chaotic, full of emotion, honest and messy...how life should be. Do you have any advice to budding actors? Play, learn, get it wrong and be you, because nobody can be better at being you. If you love it, give it your all. Act and play wherever possible, at school, after school, before school, Saturday school. Read, ask for advice, and listen to Mr Jolly. You are shortly to play Macbeth at Shakespeare’s Globe. Can you tell us about the role? Macbeth is a good man at heart but weak to his own ambition. His actions are like a domino effect and once he gets a taste of what is promised to him, he does everything in his power to keep hold of it.
Tell us about your Dulwich College days. My life at Dulwich College was filled with as much as I could possibly do. I don’t know what my teachers would say but I loved just how much the school could offer. If I wasn’t in the theatre, I was playing rugby or football on the fields. If it wasn’t that, then it was pat ball. If it wasn’t that, then I was finishing some homework for the next class. Dulwich was my introduction to rugby. I was big and fast but not very fit (I blame asthma, others might say it was my diet of sweets!). In Year 7, I used to score but had to be subbed off because I couldn’t make it back to the half way line in time for kick off. I represented the school for the 2nd XV and 3rd XV and was part of the rugby tour to South Africa in 2006. Acting wise, I wanted to be in everything. I was in Upper School House drama when I was actually in Lower School. I acted, follow spotted, stage managed, painted the theatre, cleaned stores and filled storage containers with costumes. I owe a lot of where I am now to Peter Jolly (OA 72-80, Director of Drama). If it wasn’t for him, I never would have got the opportunity to audition and appear in Harry Potter (he dragged the casting director around the school looking for me). I might not have even finished my time at the College if it wasn’t for his care and advice. Academia wise, I was smart but I always wanted to play around. ‘Ekow has so much potential but is so easily distracted...’ was how my school reports read. Some teachers had the patience (or strictness) to control me and for that I am very thankful. How did you start your career as an actor? My career started in Dulwich College when I was in Year 8. I had the privilege to appear in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban back in 2002. I was on set for the majority of the school year but thanks to three good friends I was sent notes from every class and never missed a homework.
Ekow Quartey (01-08) as Lysander and Faith Omole as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream , directed by Sean Holmes and designed by Jean Chan. Photographer: Tristram Kenton.
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