Tyrone actor who turned back on career in medicine now starring in Rocky Horror Show

Ben Kerr plays the roles of Phantom and Brad (1st Cover) in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show, which runs at Belfast’s Grand Opera House until this weekend and continues until November at venues across the UK.

The TIMES caught up with him today, Wednesday, as he enjoyed some spoiling from his mum and dad at home, and heard how the Belfast audience reacted to the must-see show.

“Last night was opening night and it was really good”, says Ben. “The crowd were really vocal, which was something that we were kind of banking on as the Belfast venues are always different from the rest of the UK.”

A former pupil of both Integrated College Dungannon and St Patrick’s Academy, Ben studied at the Guildford School of Acting and theatre credits include Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Beautiful Game, based on the story of George Best, and a host of others.

Ben is enjoying the hectic pace of the Rocky Horror tour and insists: “You get used to living out of a suitcase! I’ve seen some beautiful places such as Edinburgh, which is stunning. I live in London so very rarely get to see anywhere outside the immediate area.”

Asked whether he predicted such a successful acting career, Ben reveals he studied the three sciences and French before finally embarking on his theatrical journey in earnest.

“I was meant to go and do medicine but a teacher from the Integrated College recommended that I audition for a drama school in London. I am really happy with the way life is going at the moment and I’m very lucky to be busy.”