The Original Saga

Welcome to the Cast

Astrid Erikson

Jess Buchan

Summary

Hey, I'm Jess! I'm a Psychology student turned actor. I'm currently studying Acting and Performing at Aberdeen College of Performing Arts after deciding it's never too old to start anew and chase your dream. This is my fifth year with Centre Stage and in that time I have acted, written and directed, produced and been a part of the committee. I also work at Aberdeen Performing Arts so my entire life is centred around the performing sector! I'm a huge history nerd, so I'm incredibly grateful to be given the chance to perform in a play about Vikings and to work with Iona again.

What is it that made you like acting?

Oh, how long have you got?! In a nutshell - acting is a creative outlet for me. It gives me a chance to forget all my worries and blow off steam.

If you had to pick 3 words to describe your character, what would they be?

Headstrong, resilient and receptive.

What's your favourite quote from the play?

“Valhalla is calling your name. Let her go or I'm sending you to meet Odin!”

Previous acting experience

Eight years local theatre, Student Show, Ten Feet Tall - Ensemble play, Acting for Film course & The Lab, current ACPA student and this will be my ninth play with Centre Stage!

Dream role

Veronica in Heathers or Irene Adler in Sherlock Holmes

Freydis Erikson

Kirstin Helsby

Summary

Hiya!

I'm Kirstin, I'm in my second year at Aberdeen studying Film & Visual Culture and History as well as this I work part time with Aberdeen Performing Arts which I love, I am also on committee for the Scottish Country Dance society here. This is my third play with Centre Stage and I cannot wait to bring this character to life with all of these amazing people!

What is it that made you like acting?

I really like being able to try on different personalities and become new people on stage. Similarly I enjoy being able to express new sides of myself through different characters. More so than either of those two though is that I've met some fantastic people through acting and look forward to solidifying those friendships as well as meeting more people as time goes on.

If you had to pick 3 words to describe your character, what would they be?

- caring

- considerate

- rational

What's your favourite quote from the play?

“Calm down, have a drink.”

Previous acting experience

Ensemble - Night at the Musicals

Mrs Lynch - Grease the School Edition

Mary Warren - The Crucible: Reimagined

Ensemble 2 - The Final Participant

Dream role

Dream role: Jo March in the play of Little Women

Alva Erikson

Amelia Smith

Summary

Hi! I’m Amelia

I’m a 1st Year studying Criminology And Sociology. This is my 2nd Centre Stage play. I enjoy watching films and forcing everyone I know to listen to my rambles about them. I’m Currently on the Committee for Filmmaking. I can’t wait to work with all these lovely people!

What is it that made you like acting?

I love film and theatre and have always had an interest in acting and film making!

If you had to pick 3 words to describe your character, what would they be?

Loyal

Compassionate

fiery

What's your favourite quote from the play?

“Alva: She likes Haakon even though she denies it” Freydis: “ALVA!!”

Previous acting experience

The Final Participant

Dream role

Amy March in Little Women

Skaga Erikson

Ross Hendry

Summary

I am Ross. I am 27 and live out in Royal Deeside and studied acting at Aberdeen College of Performing Arts. I first learned about Valhalla is Calling back in September where I attended a table read of an early draft of the play. I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to be in a live performance of it. I get to be a Viking for the weekend… Get in!

What is it that made you like acting?

When I was five I played Joseph in my school nativity and I was encouraged by a teacher to ‘shout’ my one line

“All will be well, Mary” so I screamed it as loud as I could during the performance. Fast forward to P7, I was one of the ugly sisters in our Cinderella pantomime and that was when I really started to love acting.

If you had to pick 3 words to describe your character, what would they be?

Leader, Ambitious, Diplomatic

What's your favourite quote from the play?

“Osweald?”

Previous acting experience

The Conductor in the Polar Express at Churnet Valley Railway (twice)

Davy (Lead) in the Safe Drive Stay Alive film

Peter Pan with M&M Theatrical Productions

Scraps the Seagull in Jack and the Beanstalk

Aberdeen College of Performing Arts (2017 - 2019)

Proud member of the Deeside Youth Musical Theatre group from 2011 - 2017

Dream role

The Hulk