Glasgow school helped actor land 'true joy' of a role

“None of which I can possibly write down,” grins the 24-year-old, who attended the Dance School of Scotland in Knightswood for two years when he was a teenager.

“Most of us were 16, 17, living away from home and in this nuts, high-pressure environment that no one else really understands. We were absolutely feral….”

Keir Ogilvy, who studied at Glasgow's Dance School of Scotland (Image: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg)

Keir is back in Glasgow this week to star in The Ocean at the End of the Lane, the National Theatre’s thrilling stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s book about childhood fears, shapeshifting monsters, family and friendship.

Keir plays the main role, simply called Boy, and he is fervent about the impact it has had on him.

“After school I went to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduated in 2020 and had five days’ performing work in about two and a half years,” he says. “Then Katy Rudd came along with The Ocean at the End of the Lane and saved my life.”

He adds: “The role of Boy is loosely based on Neil Gaiman as a child; he is inquisitive and a highly imaginative child who doesn’t quite fit in with his family.

“I enjoy being able to connect with the familiarity of Boy, who is recognisable to so many. I think we all feel like a nervous 12-year-old at least some of the time.”

The Ocean at the End of The Lane is based on Neil Gaiman's book (Image: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg)

Keir grew up in Perth, moving to Glasgow at the age of 15. “I was delighted to go to the big city,” he says. “I was restless like you wouldn’t believe. I remember when I found out I got into the Dance School of Scotland thinking, oh god, was this a good decision? It was - I learned a lot there.

“We performed at the Citizens Theatre, which was amazing, but really my best memories are just little moments with people. A lot of my closest friends today went there with me.” 

Keir did not consider becoming an actor until he was 14, he says.

Keir in a scene from The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Image: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg)

“I did very secretly want to sing,” he admits, with a laugh. “A combination of my brother joining a choir and Glee coming out pushed me over the edge and I joined an amateur dramatic group.

“I was unbelievably fortunate that Amanda Beveridge and Ian Grieve ran it because they were both absolutely brilliant teachers and they took a shine to me. It was a big deal that they believed in me, because they were proper working actors.

“When they said I was good enough to be a performer, I believed them.”

Working on The Ocean at the End of The Lane has been “a true joy”, he says - and his journey with the production is not about to end.

The cast of The Ocean at the End of the Lane in action (Image: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg)

“After 39 weeks on tour, I will make my West End debut with The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the Noel Coward Theatre in London in October,” he grins. “I’m so excited.”

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Glasgow theatre-goers can catch Keir before he heads to London. The show is at the King’s Theatre from August 29 to September 2.

“Glasgow feels like my second home,” says Keir. “I really like the people, who have the will to have a joke and laugh, which I think will translate to fun audiences for the week. I’m looking forward to being on the stage at the King’s.”