Guest Blog: Actor Dexter Flanders On A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Tour

This is my stage debut after graduating from RADA, and to be cast in A Streetcar Named Desire, with a great part, is every actor's dream. I found out I was playing Mitch two weeks before we started, and was basically just overjoyed I had a job - not to mention an amazing one.

We started on a bit of a bum note, as the first day of rehearsals was meant to be a meet and greet in Southampton - however a typical train cancellation meant that we ended up staying in London.

The rehearsal process was very thorough, and I'll try and share some of it - without giving all of [director] Chelsea [Walker]'s secrets away! We didn't get on our feet for a good few days. A read-through was followed by games, in-depth discussions and sessions of intentions and unit changes.

Having just graduated in July, this was my first time working with more experienced performers, so I was prepared to listen, adapt and adjust to the variety of ways that other actors work.

Chelsea directs in a very explorative way, which means we try numerous versions of a scene, keeping the useful and shedding the not so useful. It's refreshing that a young director had such bold and brave ideas from the off, and the cast quickly became comfortable with the direction we were taking.

You often hear creatives use the word "collaboration" loosely, and I can say that in my short time acting collaborative wouldn't always be the word I'd use. However, on this job it certainly is a collaboration, as all offers are listened to and considered - which is a style of working I very much take to.

The company, as well as being extremely talented, are great human beings. I feel very grateful to be able to explore things freely without the dreaded fear of "Oh, am I doing this wrong?".

We had the last week of rehearsals in Southampton, which was very useful in terms of settling into a new space. We met the lovely team from Nuffield's brand new theatre, who made us all welcome, and continued working through the play.

Find full dates and venues for English Touring Theatre, Theatr Clwyd and Nuffield Southampton Theatres' A Streetcar Named Desire

Photo credit: The Other Richard

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