Playwright/ director/ performer
Steve Haythorne
49
Steve Haythorne, 49, is a playwright, actor, performance poet, workshop leader and director. Graduating in English at the age of 41, he had spent the previous 20 years as a forklift truck driver in a glass factory.
"Don’t expect to make pots of money"
Hometown
Originally Rotherham, now Sheffield
What do you do?
I’m a playwright, an actor, a director, a performance poet, a workshop leader and Sheffield Theatres’ associate artist
What was your very first role in theatre?
Writing sketches and performance poetry
What else have you done?
I wrote and directed plays including From Barry To Carlisle and My Glamorous Life With Shirley Bassey (Crowded Theatre), I’ve directed many plays with young people in the Crucible studio theatre, I’ve recently written Prince Philip–Do You Still Throw Spears At Each Other? (Pomegranate, Chesterfield), I’ve written features for football magazines, had books of poetry published, acted on television and in films amongst many other things
Have you got qualifications?
An English studies degree. I graduated when I was 41.
What did you do before you worked in theatre?
Fork lift truck driver in a glass factory for 20 years
How did you make the move to working in theatre?
More accidental than planned. I always enjoyed writing.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A footballer
What do you do all day?
Writing plays, directing, acting, devising, teaching–there is no typical day
What’s the best thing about your job?
The diversity of roles. Learning every day.
And the worst?
Any admin or evaluation I have to do
What’s your dream job in theatre?
I would love to see one of my plays in the West End–not the pub of the same name in Sheffield. Other than that, just to keep working.
Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Put yourself out there. Work hard. Never stop learning. Don’t expect to make pots of money.
