Alex James-Hatton: 'There needs to be more support for actors, creatives and people who work behind the scenes'

My first job was in 2018 as part of the original  West End cast of Heathers the Musical. I had just signed with my agent upon graduating, and when a self-tape audition came through, I thought there was no chance. The feeling of making your professional debut along with a West End transfer all in your first job out of drama school was definitely overwhelming, but so exciting.

Looking back now, I would probably have been braver when it came to my understudy tracks. It was new to me to have to be prepared to go on at the drop of a hat, so I would get extremely nervous when these moments came up. I think I would tell younger me to trust myself more and try to have more fun, although it’s much easier said than done. Still, it definitely taught me the tools I needed to cope with this kind of pressure in future jobs.

I think now more than ever, mental health and self-care should be at the forefront of people’s minds in this industry. I believe there is an expectation to just accept it and carry on, but all humans need space to be allowed to feel a certain way and digest big swings in their career, whether that be for good or bad.

I was part of the most recent UK tour of Bonnie and Clyde that sadly closed with immediate effect roughly six hours before we were due to open our new venue. Unless you have done something wrong, I truly do not know another profession where you can lose your job that swiftly with no consequence.

In my opinion, there needs to be more support for actors, creatives and people who work behind the scenes, which is why I was so keen to be a part of the Lyrics with Love event at Crazy Coqs this year to raise money for Mind, and even more grateful to be allowed to take part in the follow-up, Farewell to the Blues, in January 2025.

As for advice to newcomers, it may sound a bit clichéd and a bit of a cop-out answer, but I believe the best advice right now is to be kind. In a profession where we put ourselves on the line so frequently, one kind interaction can have a huge impact on someone’s day.

CV Alex James-Hatton

Training: Arts Educational Schools
Theatre includes: Spend Spend Spend (Royal Exchange Theatre); Bonnie and Clyde (UK Tour); Newsies (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre); Pippin (Charing Cross Theatre); Heathers the Musical (Theatre Royal Haymarket, The Other Palace)
Other credits: Kin: A New Musical (original cast concept album), Heathers the Musical (original London cast album)
Agent: JAG London (Jonathan Arun Group)