Directed, filmed and edited this in 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown:
https://www.as-it-is.co.uk/foodbank-2021
I was born in Cape Town, South Africa. After being raised there in my early years, I was immersed in theatre as a young child. My first subsequent ‘homes’ included the original Traverse Theatre, 15 James Court, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, a ‘former doss-house and brothel also known as ‘Kelly’s Paradise’ and ‘Hell’s Kitchen’. It was “a long, low-ceilinged first-floor room barely 15ft wide by 8ft high”[2] with 60 seats salvaged from the Palace Cinema placed in two blocks on either side of the stage’. My childhood ‘bedroom’ in the corner of the space was made from old tea chests.
I had my first, paid job as an actor in 1975 with The Lindsay Kemp Mime Troupe (my mother, Annie Balfour, was a member of the company).
I was mentored by Tony Fegan (currently artistic director at Tallaght Community Arts, Ireland) while at Holland Park Comprehensive School, and then at Battersea Arts Centre where Tony was Artistic Director. Following Tony’s guidance, I trained at Drama Centre, London (group 23) which then advertised itself as ´Prospero´s Isle´, from 1983-84 under Christopher Fettes and Yat Malmgren. I then worked as an actor until 1990 before undertaking a 20-year experiment in other fields while raising a young family. I resumed my work on my craft as an actor in 2010 after re-training in Meisner Technique with Simon Furness. I continue to develop training practises to share with others as a teacher of acting in addition to my work as a director.
Some things people have said with regard to my work:
“Working with Lawrence was one of the deepest experiences I ever had. To find our true responses we worked hard to rip off those masks that we unconsciously put in ourselves in order to live “safely” in society. Lawrence is an inexhaustible digger and he, sometimes gently, sometimes harder, depending on what is needed, will guide you and help you to find that treasure behind all the rubbish. I’m just waiting for a new opportunity to work with him again“
~ Diego Akselrad, actor
“We were very grateful that you not only jumped straight into the work, but you were also incredibly generous with your feedback and insights…We will certainly keep you at the top of our list for future”
~ David Knight, LCC
“Thank you for your thoughts and indeed contributions…you offered something very inspiring”
~ Ninna Bohn Pedersen, LCC
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Lawrence O'Connor 