JLife’s Elaine Bermitz catches up with Manchester-born actor Ashley Margolis about his most recent project, A Christmas Number One.
Manchester’s Ashley Margolis has scored a winner at just the right time of year with his role in A Christmas Number One, the charming young adult film suitable for all ages, which was first streamed on 10th December 2021. Though it’s a story with a Christmas theme it would stand a Sunday afternoon viewing and can be watched as a family without embarrassing nudity or saccharine story lines. Along with that there are some well-known stars from TV and film as such as Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), Helena Zengel (News of the World) and the charming Joe Lycett. Sad enough to command the occasional tear, it’s a largely upbeat romcom which is well worth a watch
So how did a young man from Manchester make his way into such illustrious company?
Being the son of Lindy and Robert Margolis was a very good start, as his parents, and his father’s family were all stalwarts in the Jewish Theatre Company, and Robert directed many productions in and around Manchester.
Ashley’s first ever stage performance was in Oliver! for the Jewish Theatre Company at the age of six. At eight he was picked for the Disney production of Beauty and the Beast, a six month tour which involved leaving home for the first time and introduced him to the workings of a large theatre company. Inspired by that experience he joined the Oldham Theatre Workshop, continuing his acting with them for four years until schoolwork at Manchester Grammar became too important for him to ignore: “In fact,” Ashley says, “the school was getting quite annoyed at how much time I was spending on acting. So, I thought I had better set my sights on studying for an English degree and then to go into law.” He found it very difficult to balance the pull of acting against study.
A part in Hollyoaks decided him, however: “I stayed in Hollyoaks for four years and realised that acting was where my future was going to lie. In fact, it was such a good part and so comfortable there that I made myself leave because I knew there were more challenges that I could take up. I then became a jobbing actor, with Radio Four, BBC Three, and voiceover parts for film and advertisements. The aim was to build up experience, and my portfolio, and have as much fun as possible doing it. I feel very lucky that I have always had enough work to fill my time and the opportunity to work at close quarters with world famous actors, like Ian McKellen and Glenda Jackson, especially in the Radio Four plays.”
A part in Hollyoaks decided him, however: “I stayed in Hollyoaks for four years and realised that acting was where my future was going to lie. In fact, it was such a good part and so comfortable there that I made myself leave because I knew there were more challenges that I could take up. I then became a jobbing actor, with Radio Four, BBC Three, and voiceover parts for film and advertisements. The aim was to build up experience, and my portfolio, and have as much fun as possible doing it. I feel very lucky that I have always had enough work to fill my time and the opportunity to work at close quarters with world famous actors, like Ian McKellen and Glenda Jackson, especially in the Radio Four plays.”
“I am happy that there is so much that I can take on. I have already had a 20-year career on stage, and I love doing the radio as it brings me back to Salford so that I can stay with my parents and see my sister, who is a teacher now at King David Junior School. Manchester is my home, so while I may be settled near London, I am always happy to come back.”
I get the impression that this young man doesn’t regret giving up an academic career to follow his heart and use his considerable talent.