School of Theatre Success

Graduate's BBC1 role

ACTING graduate Paul Henshall has landed a plum part in the new BBC1 drama A Thing Called Love opposite Paul Nicholls.

Paul enrolled at MMU’s School of Theatre in 1998 and despite having cerebral palsy earned his degree and has landed a number of great roles since graduation.

The 26-year-old was determined not to let his disability rob him of his dream to be a performer and recently told the Stage newspaper: “I always wanted to be involved in the industry in some way. I have always enjoyed entertaining people and being in the spotlight.”

In the BBC series, Paul plays Michael Scant, the younger brother of Nicholls’ Gary. Michael also has cerebral palsy, the difference being that Michael can walk while in real-life Paul is restricted to a wheelchair for the majority of the time – something that proved a huge challenge.

“In the series my character is not seen in a wheelchair at all, which was a good way of showing that I can be more versatile as an actor. Just like any other performer, I had to learn to pace myself (on sticks) and make sure that I only used energy when the camera was rolling.”

A Thing Called Love is a modern tale of Gary Scant’s search for his soul mate but for his younger brother it is just about finding a girlfriend and, as Paul puts it experiencing “those things which until now have alluded him”.

Paul, from Staffordshire, feels that despite winning roles for the BBC’s Playing the Field and Casualty, his disability has stopped him from getting parts, particularly in the theatre.

He says: “Of course my cerebral palsy has stopped me from getting some parts but it has also enabled me to get roles like this. As an actor what you experience sculpts you into a better performer.”

Paul and his actress girlfriend have recently set up their own company, Clean Slate and pay visits to colleges and businesses to give advice on how to interact with disabled people.

A Thing Called Love is on BBC1 on Tuesdays at 9pm.

18 October 2004