Meet Conrad Cecil from London who moved to LA this year after working for 14 years in France as an actor, producer, and writer.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
I came to LA to take my work as an actor and producer to another level. Last year my wife Graciela and I moved to Northern California from Paris, where I used to run a theatre company. Since starting out acting almost 20 years ago at the Brockley Jack in South London, I always held LA in the corner of my mind. In the meantime, I was on stage on the Champs Elysees in Paris, toured in Switzerland and played with Sophie Marceau in Female Agents (Netflix 2016). Funnily enough, shortly after arriving in LA, I was cast in a historical drama set in Paris! “The Radiant” by Shirley Lauro opens at The Actors Company in WeHo on October 27. For reservations call (323) 960-7712 or click HERE. There may be some industry discounts available.
What one thing do you miss from home?
Although I’m London born and bred, I miss the nightlife in Paris, especially picking up a bag of fresh, hot croissants from a bakery before they open, on my way home after a night out. When they’re that fresh they melt in your mouth…
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus London or Paris?
LA is surprisingly private… outside of mainstream show business, a lot of amazing things in LA are hidden behind hedges and walls. Like recently we went to an event in a beautiful house on the Venice canals, where actress Amber Tamblyn was reading her own poetry. It was magical.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
I live in Venice, which has many gems, beyond the beach and the boardwalk: like the canals where I live, the Farmers Market, and the Art Walk. But the all-time gem for me is Beyond Baroque, the iconic literary arts center on Venice Boulevard – hosting poets and performers like Patti Smith, Viggo Mortensen, Dana Gioia, and Michael McClure.
I’ll give you an example of why Venice means so much to me: I was in a car crash a few months ago in Beverly Hills. The next day, right after giving the insurance company my car keys, the guys at Beyond Baroque gave me the keys to the theatre, to do whatever I want there, no questions asked. Now that’s the Venice spirit!
I’m running a workshop on performing poetry, at Beyond Baroque. Four Saturdays from October 14th, culminating in a showcase performance on November 4th – with mimosas and the best croissants I can find! For more info CLICK HERE
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
LA feels like a place to plunge into big waters, but there are many currents, and not all of them will take you where you want to go! If you know where you want to go… I’m only half joking, LA is a place to make it – or flake it – big time. Enjoy it, explore it, and don’t forget the beach!
If your life was a TV show, what song would be the theme tune?
“Here Comes the Sun” by George Harrison. It’s major key, it’s pure and fresh: it’s just a fact the sun is going to rise anew every day, whatever happened the day before. And George Harrison wrote it while playing truant… often the best stuff happens that way!
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you on the Internet?
Well I’m at the Brits in LA brekkie most weeks – kudos to Eileen & Craig!
Come and join my “POETRY LIVE” workshop on Saturday mornings at Beyond Baroque October 14 – Nov 4, or just come to the showcase on Nov 4. For more, click HERE
Or find me on Facebook.
