Ben Kavanagh
Overview
- Ethnicity
- White / European Descent
- Age Range
- 26 - 36
- Height
- 5' 10" (1m 78cm)
- Weight
- 11st. 9lb. (74kg)
- Hair Colour
- Brown
- Eye Colour
- Hazel
- Build
- Slim
Agent
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COWLEY, KNOX AND GUYAgent
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02035071897Contact
Other
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My Contact Number:
07850 413 445
Links
Credits
Year | Job Title Project Type |
Project Name Director / Company |
Location |
---|---|---|---|
2015 |
Flynn
Event |
Closer To Heaven Gene David Kirk / Paul Taylor Mills Ltd |
Union Theatre |
2014 |
Iago
Theatre |
Othello Elliot Langsdon / Clatterhouse theatre |
The Drayton Arms Theatre |
2014 |
Company
Theatre |
The Last Laundress Of Queensway Andy Brock / Troupe |
The Drayton Theatre |
2013 |
Guard/Vince/Goat
Theatre |
The wonderfulr World Of Dissocia William Seaward / Clatterhouse theatre |
The Red Hedgehog |
2012 |
Clarence Cutler
Theatre |
Boy Meets Boy Gene David Kirk / Jermyn Street Theatre |
Jermyn Street Theatre |
2012 |
Ritchie
Theatre |
Love & Understanding Max Upton / Wield the Matter |
Edinburgh Fringe |
2012 |
Macbeth
Theatre |
Macbeth New London Company |
Lion & Unicorn Theatre |
2012 |
Helge
Theatre |
Festen Niall Wilson / Shadwell Society |
ADC Theatre |
2011 |
Tristan
Theatre |
To Have and To Hold Joey Batey / Ribbon Theatre |
Edinburgh Fringe |
2011 |
Margot
Theatre |
Margot De Sade: 120 Days of Stardom Nick Waters / Fletcher Players |
Corpus Playroom |
2011 |
Lloyd Dallas
Theatre |
Noises Off Max Barton / CUADC |
ADC Theatre |
2011 |
Keller
Theatre |
All My Sons Niall Wilson / Something Unspoken |
ADC Theatre |
2011 |
Malvolio
Commercials & Industrials |
Twelfth Night Niall Wilson / New London Company |
Lion & Unicorn Theatre |
2011 |
Iago
Theatre |
Othello Niall Wilson / New London Company |
Lion & Unicorn Theatre |
2010 |
Rev. Parris
Theatre |
The Crucible Josh Seymour / CUADC |
ADC Theatre |
2010 |
The Piper
Theatre |
The Pied Piper William Seaward / Cambridge Footlights |
ADC Theatre |
2010 |
Brick
Theatre |
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Morgan Ring / Double Falsehood |
ADC Theatre |
2010 |
Humphrey Binham
Film |
Starstruck Sarah Bartley / Film Fest |
Cambridge ADC Theatre |
2009 |
Ms Gultch/Wicked Witch of the West
Theatre |
The Wizard of Oz Nick Waters / CUMTS |
ADC Theatre |
2009 |
Chris
Theatre |
Barry! Pull Your Finger Out Josh Higgott / Cambridge Footlights |
Edinburgh Fringe |
2009 |
Billy
Theatre |
42nd Street Marieke Audsley / Red & Gold theatre |
Cambridge Corn Exchange |
2009 |
Vladimir
Theatre |
Waiting For Godot Patrick Garety / Tongue-In-Chic |
Corpus Playroom |
2009 |
Prince of Wales
Theatre |
Madness of George III Patrick Garety / Tongue-In-Chic |
ADC Theatre |
2009 |
Dame Jeanie the Genie
Theatre |
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Matthew Bulmer / Cambridge Footlights |
ADC Theatre |
2008 |
Bobby
Theatre |
Crazy For You Chris Petite / Camus Productions |
Camberley Theatre |
2007 |
Scarecrow
Theatre |
The Wizard of Oz Jane Roberts / Collingwood Productions |
Kingston Theatre |
2007 |
Michael
Theatre |
Witches of Eastwick Andy Barker / Camus Productions |
Camberley Theatre |
Education
Year | Qualification | Where |
---|---|---|
2022 | Qualified Teacher Status | University of Sussex |
2011 | Drama & English with Education | Cambridge University |
About me
Ben trained at the University of Cambridge, graduating in 2011 with an MA Hons in English, Drama & Education. Since then Ben has worked as an Actor, Director, Writer, Podcaster and Educator, both in the UK and Internationally.As an actor Ben was nominated for an OFFIE for his performance in BOY MEETS BOY (Jermyn Street Theatre). Other stage work includes: TWITSTORM (Park Theatre); CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Union Theatre); THE CONVERT, PARTY (Above The Stag); TWELFTH NIGHT, OTHELLO, RICHARD II (Drayton Theatre); MACBETH (Lion & Unicorn).
Ben has worked extensively as a Director, not just with his theatre company Clatterhouse Theatre (clatterhousetheatre.co.uk) but also with other theatres and producing houses. Ben's expertise range from full scale musical theatre to the work of William Shakespeare to the absurdism and Neo-jacobeanism in the work of Beckett, Kane, Pinter and Bond.
As a writer, Ben had his first play published in June of 2022. THE CONVERT was number 1 on Amazon UK Hotlist, was nominated for an OFFIE and is being developed for the West End stage. He is currently working on three other new works for the stage VICTIMS, INCITEMENT TO RIOT and THREE WISE MONKEYS. He is also developing a TV PILOT, Dead Good as well as continuing to write and produce his comedy podcast TALKING THEATRE, where he plays the ageing actor Sir Holworth Felixstowe Smooth. A full list of Ben's writing can be found below.
Ben also works as an educator at Wilson's School in Wallington as their Director of Drama. Having worked there for ten years, Ben writes all schemes of work and directs and produces all of the productions.
REVIEWS:
For 'Othello', 2014:
★★★★ The Stage - "Ben Kavanagh gives an exceptional, note-perfect performance in the role, combining cold calculation with an insinuating charisma that charms and horrifies in equal measure."
London Theatre - "One of the greatest treats within the play is Ben Kavanagh’s Iago...Kavanagh is cruel and flamboyant; timid and stern; he moves with an air of stillness, allowing the audience to, almost, see the wicked cogs turning his head."
Everything Theatre - "Ben Kavanagh gave us an absolutely superb Iago, of ambiguous sexuality. This Iago was petulant, bitchy, and almost comically self-aware. Kavanagh’s delivery made the verse modern and comprehensible, and he complemented it with an array of impeccably timed moues, shrugs, arched eyebrows and sideways glances. Quite mesmerising!"
Gizzle Review - "Though initially worried that this baby-faced actor [Ben Kavanagh as Iago] could succeed as the snake-tongued villain, this was in fact a very clever piece of casting - his Iago lives up to the moniker "honest Iago", a man you would never suspect. It's in his fourth wall breaking asides and monologues that he reveals his true eccentric self, offering comedy, charm and a deliciously clipped vocal delivery. His is a Machiavellian, perhaps even psychopathic, villain you can't help but love."
For 'Boy Meets Boy', 2013:
★★★★★ West End Frame - "It was Ben Kavanagh who stole the show as Clarence Cutler. He plays the perfect villain. A good comedy actor only has to look at an audience to have them in stitches. This is something Ben excelled at."
★★★★★ The Public Reviews - "There's much laughter to be had…Ben Kavanagh's rejected Clarence, never has bitterness seemed so appealingly funny as biting one-liners and asides sparkle like diamonds"
★★★★★ Front Row Dress - "Watch out for Ben Kavanagh's hysterical scene stealing turn as would-be Machiavelli Clarence Cutler, what that boy does with a quip and a gap-toothed sneer should be bottled and sold over the counter at Boots as an anti-depressant."
★★★★★ UK Theatre Web - "The only down side is that there is so little seating that only a few will see it"
★★★★ The Independent - "All hilariously timed, throwaway disdain as the snooty, would-be Machiavellian millionaire, Ben Kavanagh is a baddie you adore to hate. An unexpected Christmas treat."
★★★★ WhatsonStage - "In a terrific ensemble cast, Kavanah shows terrific comic instincts"
★★★★ Time Out - "A hilarious Ben Kavanagh chews up the scenery and most of the stage as Guy's ex, the deliciously droll Clarence Cutler."
★★★★ Exeunt - "As Guy's jilted fiance Clarence, Ben Kavanagh is a malicious delight, stealing every scene he's in with petulant precision."
★★★★ Remote Goat - "Clarence is played by Ben Kavanagh - a young actor with terrific comedy timing and a nice line in swaggering and put downs."
★★★★ London Theatre - "The star of the show for me was Ben Kavanagh, bringing fabulous comic timing and delectable Machiavellian wit to the role of Cutler. Kavanagh is, without doubt, one to watch."
★★★★ British Theatre Guide - "Clarence may be the villain but Ben Kavanagh makes him one you love watching."
★★★★ The Upcoming - "Ben Kavanagh and Stephen Ashfield stand out as ones to watch out for in the future."
★★★★ PlaystoSee - "Ben Kavanagh steals the show in his performance of Clarence Cutler, Guy's jilted Bostonian millionaire, proudly proclaimed narcissist (his rendition of 'Me' is hilarious) and the couple's plotting saboteur."
The Stage - "Beyond the romance there is the louche comic delivery of Ben Kavanagh, as jilted groom Clarence Cutler, providing many of the laugh-out-loud moments throughout the evening."
A Younger Theatre - "There are terrific performances from the leading men… Ben Kavanagh stands out as the obnoxious Clarence Cutler, whining and conniving, with brilliant comedic timing."
The Londoneer - "It's equally full of passion and laughs… Kavanagh relishes in the opportunity to trade knowing winks and smiles with the audience as he makes the most of the show's most acerbic and witty lines."
Confessions Of A TheatreGirl - "Ben Kavanagh is without a doubt the second star of the show. He portrays the completely self-centred Clarence Cutler with just the right amount of humour and a twinkle in the eye. His hilariously funny rendition of "Me" has the audience in stitches but he never ridicules his character and makes sure Clarence isn't downgraded to a common laughing-stock. He's one of those "bad guys" you can't help but love."
For 'Macbeth', 2012:
A Younger Theatre - "Kavanagh’s Macbeth is so subtle every doubt whispered and every glance draws the audience inwards –it is impossible to resist. The directorial skill is so high, and Kavanagh’s acting (alongside an equally talented cast) so effective, that the audience are complicit in every single action that occurs onstage...Kavanagh engages the audience with such success that we feel involved yet helpless, swept up alongside Macbeth in his quest for power."
For Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, 26/10/10:
Varsity - "Kavanagh was also vital at creating the play's tension, playing a wonderfully understated yet visibly at-a-loss Brick, moving believably from meek and laconic as he listens to his wife in the first act, to revelatory and tragic by the end of the production."
For The Madness of George III, 20/10/09:
Varsity - "Ben Kavanagh also deserves a mention. Playing the Prince of Wales as some sort of mega dandy, Kavanagh donned a pretty fruity waistcoat and had his collar turned-up to eleven. In fact, his feathered, blonde fringe and bronzed cheeks put me somewhat in mind of a young Judith Chalmers. Make no mistake though, Kavanagh's prince was a snake. Subtle, kind of mysterious, he was fantastic."
For ADC/Footlights Pantomime 2009: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, 24/11/09:
The Cambridge Student - "Ben Kavanagh's sexually frustrated genie, 'Jeanie,' with pierced belly button and wanton desire to have the sand well and truly rubbed out of her lamp, was also noteworthy, particularly for his singing performance- surely the most accomplished of the evening."
For Waiting For Godot, 17/02/09:
Varsity - "…this production was 100% definitely the best thing I've ever seen in Cambridge, and I can guarantee that it will 100% definitely be the best thing you see in Cambridge this term… Special mention must go to Ben Kavanagh as Vladimir. Kavanagh delivered the single best performance this jaded wanker has seen for a long time - a ball of nervous energy, hands clenching, eyes flickering, all the while making new sense out of some pretty dense material."
The Cambridge Student - "Ben Kavanagh's Vladimir is exemplary. His Irish brogue, his irritability and dialogue could have walked straight from the purgatorial craggy island of Father Ted, and he carries the comedy."
For The Dumb Waiter, 02/06/09:
Varsity - "…sustained natural delivery and accurate accents were impressive… There was a great moment when Kavanagh knocked on the walls, checking if they were soundproof, and was answered by the bells of St Edward's from outside."
License & Passport
Passport: | Yes |
Driver's License: | Yes |
Skills
Languages Spoken | English |
---|---|
Accents/Dialects | American - General, Australian, Boston, Canadian, Cornish, Dutch, English - Cockney, English - England North West (Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire), English - Essex, English - General, English - London, English - Northern England, English - Received Pronunciation, English - Southwest England, English - West Midlands (Shropshire, Birmingham, Brummie), English - Yorkshire & Humber, French (Standard International), German, Irish, Midwest American, New York, Northern Irish, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Scottish, Southern American, Spanish (International Spanish) Acento Neutro, Upper-class American, US South (Deep South, Dixie, Delta), US West Coast (California, Portland), Welsh, Yiddish |
Dance Styles | Ballroom, Jazz, Latin American, Swing Dance, Tango, Tap |
Vocal Types | Baritone, Tenor |
Singing Styles | Adult Contemporary, Cabaret, Choral, Country, Legit/Classical, Musical Theatre, Opera |
Additional Skills | Acting, Dance, Drag Performance, Impressions, Public Speaking, Singing |
Athletics | Badminton, Frisbee, Golf, Running, Squash, Stage Combat, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field |
Organisations / Memberships | Equity (UK) |