Debbie Bridge: from British Columbia to Brighton

"This is where I needed to be all along"

Debbie Bridge in Miss Givings

This week Canadian singer and actress Debbie Bridge tells us about her upcoming one-woman show Miss Givings and how she ended up in the UK. Debbie writes:

"Over 16 years ago I came to London as a stop-over for going to Germany. I arrived here as a Canadian Opera singer fresh out of the University of British Columbia music program, and started with no connections and no real idea on what to do or how to stay. I was lucky. I managed to stay long enough to get my British Passport.  

I did go to Germany, but didn’t like the idea of living there.  I learned that this is where I needed to be all along. I went on to do a Meisner Acting course with Scott Williams at Impulse Theatre School and I haven’t looked back. I always wanted to act and do musical theatre, but got side tracked when professors said my voice needed to be in opera.  I have picked up some very useful skills, but I am back doing what I love.

I live in Brighton, which is a vibrant and creative city.  Recently I have been finding that they really like opera, so with my skills as an actor/singer I have a regular gig at a local restaurant called Little Bay – Brighton, and this has led to more event work.  Life on the south coast is not so fast paced as London, which suits me, coming from the more laid back lifestyle of Vancouver, B.C.

I love working here in the UK, as I stand out every time I speak.  It does make finding your niche a lot easier.  I have managed to work in British productions where they have allowed me to do an RP accent or they have been OK with the American voice in a mostly British cast, but my calling card is my accent and I don’t mind that.

The acting work really moved on when I joined the North American Actors Association.  It was a great place for me to do North American work, especially through the annual Playreading Festival.  As one of the few who have not gone through the education system here I have learned to create work. This has helped me find agents here, produce productions, and see what it is I love to do.  I have managed to find a great agent in Canada, but that was through the help of my British agent, so you never know where roads may lead.

In 2010 I created a new company, A’Nother Productions, which I am using as a vehicle to produce works. The latest is my new one-woman show called Miss Givings. I wanted to find a more engaging way to get American composers works out there, plus include all my skills. Anita Boult is a musical theatre wannabe, but has just moved out of New York and back to Peekskill.  The show goes through her trials and tribulations with songs from Bernstein, Copland, Barber, Gershwin and Amy Beach."

Miss Givings is on at the NightingaleTheatre as part of Brighton Festival Fringe, on May 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. You can book tickets here. The show will also be on at the Bierkeller Theatre, Bristol on June 5th.

Debbie’s website is www.debbiebridgeactor.com and her Twitter account is @debbiebridge