Hurtwood alumnus Tom Mison’s productions on both stage and screen are drawing rave reviews in equal measure. If you are a lover of major wartime movies, go to the cinema to watch Tom play Anthony Eden in ‘De Gaulle: Résistance’ the first of a two-film biopic, which is playing in cinemas all over Europe. The film follows Charles de Gaulle's escape to London in 1940, after France falls and signs the armistice. From London, de Gaulle attempts to persuade Britain and the wider Allied powers that France's fight is not over. It looks beyond the French defeat by Nazi Germany and according to ‘Variety’ portrays both the heroism and strategic acumen of the former French president. When we caught up with Tom a few months ago, he explained “I’m most excited about playing alongside Simon Russell Beale as Churchill, and some of France’s best actors, all of whom I’ve loved and respected for years. The film follows De Gaulle establishing the French Resistance from London, and, against the odds, becoming arguably the most consequential player in Allied Europe. I hope it does well outside of France, because De Gaulle’s story is fascinating and inspiring. Plus, I cultivated an excellent moustache. ”Tom’s wish has been granted as cinemas are packed and the Guardian proclaimed ‘De Gaulle’ to be a “very enjoyable and gallopingly eventful biopic”.
If the National Theatre is more your style watch Tom star alongside award winning Sandra Oh in a razor-sharp reimagining of Molière’s classic ‘The Misanthrope’. This new version of Molière’s dark comedy by Martin Crimp’s is directed by the acclaimed Indhu Rubasingham. In this production Alice, a brilliant novelist, despises the hollow contemporary mantras of kindness and respect. However, the bolder she becomes in speaking out, the more colleagues avoid her, and the more her personal relationships begin to fracture. As she challenges fashionable ideas, she faces intense criticism and she soon learns the price she must pay for daring to speak her mind. In the production Tom plays Stefan, Alice’s young lover who has his own troubles such as a difficult divorce while trying to juggle the ups and downs of his agent, publicist and social media manager.
Tom is always keen to reminisce about his time at Hurtwood, stating “It’s the long nights rehearsing in the Hurtwood theatre that I remember most fondly. So much creativity and enthusiasm and a door opening to the rest of my life.” Hurtwood’s current students are particularly fortunate, as when Tom is not busy professionally, he makes time to return to Hurtwood to put the next generation of would-be actors through their paces: “I often go back when work allows, to help drama school applicants with their speeches. My hit rate is excellent and it’s deeply rewarding.”
‘De Gaulle: Résistance’ in cinemas now. (De Gaulle: Liberté ‘to be released in October.)
National Theatre Live’s screening of ‘The Misanthrope’ in cinemas on September 22nd.
