Simon Thorp - Salisbury

 Simon Thorp will be playing the Earl of Salisbury. 

"Salisbury is one of the few lords to remain faithful to King Richard until the end in Richard II. He is there when the king lands in Wales after the Irish expedition and is one of the members of the Earls Rebellion against Henry IV. In the play's final scene, we are informed that Salisbury, along with several of the other conspirators, has been killed at Cirencester." - shakespeareandhistory.com

"Nor near nor farther off, my gracious lord,
Than this weak arm: discomfort guides my tongue
And bids me speak of nothing but despair."

Here's a quick way to get to know Simon from the Swindon Advertiser, May 16, 2013:

Five Minutes With...Simon Thorp

 

How do you take you tea/coffee?
Tea, white and no sugar. Coffee, flat white, two sugars.
Which fictional character do you wish was real?
Jesus
What’s the worst decision you've ever made?
Not going to drama school.
What do you enjoy most about being on the stage?
Telling a good story to an appreciative audience.
How long did it take you to learn your lines for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice? Are there any that you still struggle with sometimes?
It took me about three weeks in total, and luckily I haven’t head any issues with lines yet!
Who do you think is the best singer out of all of those Little Voice impersonates?
A tough call between Billy Holiday and Shirley Bassey.
If you could play any role, which would it be and why?
Captain Hook, to show all the celebrities how to do it!
What are the best and worst things about being on tour?
The best aspect of touring is getting to discover new places you wouldn’t necessarily visit otherwise. The worst part is missing family.

If you discovered a new species of dinosaur what would you call it?
Isthisaseriousquestion-asaurus!
If you came with a warning label, what would it say?
Warning: Gruff exterior hides sensitive inner layer. Inappropriate behaviour may result in tears. 

Simon Thorp as Don Hernando in The Heresy of Love.  Photo by Robert Day.

Simon has been in two previous RSC productions at The Swan Written on the Heart with fellow Richard II cast member Oliver Ford Davies and was directed by Greg Doran and The Heresey of Love directed by Nancy Meckler.



He was most recently Ray Say in the touring cast of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Below the CV from that programme: