Alan Mehdizadeh

Alan Mehdizadeh (Persian: الان مهدیزاده‎; born 4 September 1982) is a British-Iranian actor, appearing on stage and screen. He played the role of Don in the West End musical, Kinky Boots.

Early life

Alan Mehdizadeh was born in Hastings, East Sussex. His father is Iranian, and his mother is English. He is the eldest of 4 siblings.

Whilst it is not immediately clear as to the specific nature of the issues he is referring to, Alan suggests he suffered a difficult childhood in a recent interview, (and even went as far as to attribute them for his career success so far), "having had a difficult upbringing, it’s made me more determined and ambitious than I probably would have been had I had a “conventional” childhood. I try to succeed in spite of my experience."[1]

His early career started at the Questors Theatre in Ealing, where he appeared in a youth production of 'Godspell',[2] when he was 14. He then went on to perform at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in a production of 'Watership Down', where he played Cowslip.[3] He also regularly appeared in popular BBC children's programme 'Grange Hill'.[4]

Education

Mehdizadeh graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 2007 (where he read Drama). Whilst studying, he also founded the long-running Curtain Call Musical Theatre Society which recently celebrated its 10th birthday with a gala performance at which Mehdizadeh gave a speech, and sung.

Other educational institutions attended include Richmond Upon Thames College, and Drayton Manor High School.

Career

As of 15 August 2016, Mehdizadeh joined the West End production of 'Kinky Boots' in the role of Don.[5] The hit musical recently won Best New Musical at the 2016 Olivier Awards, and continues to play at the Adelphi Theatre in London. Mehdizadeh left the production in June 2018.

Another of Mehdizadeh's notable credits to date is the role of Big Davey in the West End musical 'Billy Elliot the Musical',[6] (which he played for two years between May 2013 and May 2015). Mehdizadeh also appeared in the same role for both the worldwide live cinema release, and the subsequent DVD release of the show.[7] Mehdizadeh further, played the role of Big Davey at the 10th anniversary gala performance in May 2015.

In 2016, Alan was appearing in the UK premiere production of 'Swap!', written and directed by TV star Ian Ogilvy.[8] The play toured the UK. Alan played Harry "The Hammer" Henson alongside several TV personalities (including Kim Tiddy & Louisa Lytton).

In 2012, he originated the roles of Dad and The MC in a stage adaptation of Oliver Jeffers' book 'The Incredible Book Eating Boy' at the Belfast arts venue, The MAC.[9]

Mehdizadeh is also the founder, and artistic director of UK production company What Was That? Productions, with whom he has produced and appeared in many productions.[10]

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References
  1. "Alan Mehdizadeh takes our Sugar Rush Quiz". The Sweet London Life. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  2. "The Questors Theatre Archive: Godspell 1997". archive.questors.org.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  3. "About Al". officialalan.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  4. "Alan Mehdizadeh". IMDb. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  5. Premier. "Kinky Boots London | Olivier award-winning KINKY BO…". Kinky Boots. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  6. "Anna-Jane Casey joins cast of Billy Elliot, from 13 May". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  7. "'Billy Elliot the Musical Live' Hits U.S. Cinemas Tonight | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  8. "The perils of a house swap". Basingstoke Observer. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  9. "The Incredible Book Eating Boy review at The MAC Belfast | Review | Theatre | The Stage". The Stage. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  10. "What Was That? Productions". officialalan.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
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