A former Bedford School pupil will be returning to his alma mater this week, performing in the five-star-review-garnering Mythos:Ragnarök, a retelling of Norse mythology through the physicality of professional wrestling.
Richard Summers-Calvert plays the god of mischief, Loki, as he and Odin struggle to overcome primeval giants, rival Gods and Goddesses, and each another’s ambitions in this dark comic adaption of Norse legends.
The show received five-star reviews at last summer’s Edinburgh Festival, with sell-out performances and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Featuring what have been described as “the most intense and thrilling fight scenes in the history of theatre”, the show earned more positive public reviews than any other show at the Edinburgh Festival and was nominated for the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence.
You can catch the show at the Quarry Theatre this Thursday (2 March).
Richard credits his school drama teacher with helping him achieve his ambition to become an actor, after awarding him the drama prize in his final year.
“Acting was always my ambition,” said Richard. “It was the only thing I cared about and my drama teacher, Mrs Swiddenbank, was the first person to really make me believe I could achieve anything.”
After appearing in Bedford School productions, including The History Boys, Richard studied drama at the University of Lincoln, taking part in “every student film going” before joining a touring theatre company after he graduated.
He’s since appeared in dozens of indie feature films, just recorded some scenes in EastEnders and is in the process of making his second feature film.
In addition, he appeared in a series of Come Dine With Me, but we digress…
The physicality of the Mythos: Ragnarök has meant that Richard has needed to take his physical fitness to another level and has trained in professional wrestling for four years.
“I’ve been training at the gym since I was 16,” said Richard. “But this role has meant I’ve got from ‘gymming’ for fun to ‘gymming’ for necessity.
“The fight scenes are incredibly athletic and dangerous and there is a high risk of injury. There’s no cardio like it!”
Describing the show, Richard said: “There’s something for everyone. It’s suitable for Norse mythology nerds and someone with no knowledge of the subject. The show is totally unique. You won’t have seen anything like it. It’ll be wild; it’ll be incredible.”
Tickets are £20 (£18 concession) and available from the Quarry Theatre box office.
