Lara Crawford
She played in Will Patrick Roberts‘ Dollar Baby Morning Deliveries as Mother.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Lara Crawford: I actually work full time in Accounts and Finance, and teach Fitness Yoga part time. I have been involved with local community theatre since 1987. I am a member of two local groups, and have played leading and supporting roles, as well as spending many years as a dancer and choreographer for musicals staged in my local area. I have also enjoyed many roles in straight plays and comedies too. I am a member of two Committees and volunteer as Treasurer. So this keeps me busy! In the past I have also been an extra on a few BBC and local Welsh productions and also more recently in The Crown.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actress?
Lara Crawford: Probably from the age of about 6 or 7. Apparently I always learnt everybody else’s lines in school as well as my own! I enjoyed dressing up from an early age and imitating people on TV! Initially though, my main love was dancing and I started this from an early age although it wouldn’t be until my family moved that I actually started dance classes at around 13 years of age.
SKSM: How did you become involved in Morning deliveries Dollar Baby film?
Lara Crawford: I actually know Landon Sweeney, who played the main role, as we are part of the same theatre groups and he asked if I would be interested as Will was looking for someone to play his “younger” mother!! I have also been involved in many plays with Lorna Hughes as well and know Geoff Edkins.
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Lara Crawford: I’m inclined to say, mainly because it’s “Stephen King”, and with that automatically comes a good story, with incredible imagination.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Lara Crawford: As it was only a very minor role, Landon put my name forward after asking if I was interested so there was no audition as such. I know how difficult it is sometimes to find people in this area who will get involved in projects, and there is a group of people that know each other and know what they are capable of.
SKSM: You worked with Will Patrick Roberts on this film, how was that?
Lara Crawford: Will was very friendly and very professional. He seemed to know exactly how he wanted the film to be. I had only just met him and he was very reassuring and organised.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Lara Crawford: As I mentioned mine was only a very fleeting moment on screen, but it was quite funny to put on my 1970s clothes and wig and stand on the local beach with Will, being filmed on a cold, grey and windy morning. Anybody passing by must have been wondering what was going on!! It was fun though as I enjoy anything like that!
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Lara Crawford: Currently we are not in contact in person because of the situation but normally I would see Landon and Lorna at rehearsals or social events for the groups I am involved in. They are both very talented and versatile in the roles I have seen them play. I worked with Geoff, who was a brilliant drummer and accompaniment during rehearsal for the musical Avenue Q, before lockdown.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Lara Crawford: Before lockdown, one group was a week away from performing Avenue Q and I had the part of Lucy. This was unfortunately cancelled. I would also have been involved in the annual Summer Season which is a variety, musical show that runs from June to September – this was also cancelled. As well as that I would have been involved in some way in The Diary of Anne Frank – which we also had to cancel due to the lockdown, and a great shame. I am looking forward to starting back sometime this year, when we will be looking to perform the musical Elf in November. Fingers crossed!
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Lara Crawford: Yes very much so. I still have a lot of his work to watch and read, but have enjoyed the books and films seen so far. I was particularly a fan in the 1990s and read books such as Misery, The Shining and Rose Madder. More recently I have read 11/22/63 and loved the TV series, as well as the book Revival. I also love the films Secret Window, Shawshank Redemption, Misery and Carrie and the original IT miniseries.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Lara Crawford: I think people in work are always a little suprised about the theatre work I do, as I am normally pretty shy and reserved!
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Lara Crawford: Just that I hope they enjoy the film and what an opportunity it is for budding filmakers to have the opportunity to create Stephen King’s work, as well as put their own spin on it! Also for people like myself who are able to use opportunities like this to build on their own skills and experience.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Lara Crawford: Thanks for the questions and interest!! 🙂
