Day Off Diary: WOMAN IN BLACK’s Ben Porter

For many actors, after a long 8-show week, their one day off is time to rest and recharge. This week, we caught up with Ben Porter from Woman In Black to spend an afternoon with him. Get to know a bit more about Ben in his #DayOffDiary: 

Hometown? Leicester.

Where might we find you on your day off? Wandering the streets in a happy daze, or checking out an art exhibition or one of the museums. I’m basically a tourist. 

What got you into acting? I played the prophet Ezekiel in a nativity play, age 5. Smashed it. 

What was your first ever role? See above. 

If you weren’t an actor, what would you be doing? I'd like to think a brilliant writer of some sort but quite possibly a call centre operative. 

If you could describe your experience with Woman In Black so far in just one word, what would it be? Thrilling.

Are you a big fan of the horror genre? I like a classic ghost story but I’m more into weird fiction and the English eerie. I love Robert Aickman’s stories. He’s not that widely known but was a master of the unsettling and the strange. Film-wise I prefer David Lynch or the original Wicker Man to slasher movies. 

What’s the biggest difference between a New York audience and a London audience? Probably the vocalization. Over here they don’t just scream, they shout out what they’re thinking, like, no, don't go in there! It’s great fun.

Who are you jamming to on Spotify right now? Talk Talk, ‘It’s My Life': 80’s banger and my next karaoke smash hit.

What are you binging on TV right now? Succession but it’s hard because I hate them all. I also have a weakness for true crime docs. 

Read any good books lately? Nabakov: 'King Queen Knave.'

One Instagram account (besides your own, duh), that we need to be following? @TheLastTuesdaySociety. More weird stuff. Check out the Zoom lectures.

Do you have a Favorite coffee shop over here in the States? If so, what’s your order? No favourite yet - but an Americano please.

Pickles on your burgers? Yep.

Pineapple on your pizza? Nope.

What flavor of cream cheese on your bagel? There are flavors?

What is one thing you miss most about London that we don’t have over here in New York? A sausage sandwich in Amici Deli, my local cafe, on the Holloway Road.

Have you seen any good theatre here in the States? Ain't Too Proud. Loved it. So much good energy in the room. I’m interested to see smaller scale work too. I need to explore the fringes. 

Favorite play/musical? No Man’s Land by Harold Pinter.

Any Dream Roles you are dying to play? Macbeth would be fun. Or maybe revisit the prophet Ezekiel.

You can catch Ben in Woman In Black which is now in performance at the McKittrick Hotel. For tickets and more information, visit here. For more photos, visit Theatrely on Instagram. All photos by Rebecca J Michelson/Theatrely.