Originally from Yorkshire, Roo Arwen, 22, is a Manchester-based actor, singer, and musician, and a recent graduate of The Arden School of Theatre. Roo is making her professional theatre debut with the festive double bill A Proper Merry Christmess (Red Ladder) and A Town Called Christmas (Wrongsemble)

Can you tell us a bit about your story and why you wanted to become an actor?

I grew up in Pudsey with my mum and my nan. We lived in quite a run-down part of the town and there wasn’t much to do when I was little. But when I got a bit older my mum started taking me to the pantomime at the Alhambra in Bradford. Billy Pearce was always in it and I think the first one I saw was Aladdin when I was four years old and I remember being completely blown away. It was like magic. That’s where it started really. When I found out that you could do it as a job I couldn’t believe it, because I thought you needed some kind of special powers to be an actor. So once I realised that I might be able to do this, I knew it’s what I wanted to do.

Did you go to drama classes as a youngster?

I never went to any paid-for acting classes because we couldn’t afford that, but I went to a few charity-run drama clubs and I was always in the school plays. My first ever role was as Santa, funnily enough. There’s a picture of me somewhere when I was about five where I’m wearing a little Santa costume. When I was 14, I joined the Futurist Theatre Productions which didn’t charge you, and for someone like me who couldn’t fund being creative that made a big difference. In 2021, after finishing sixth form, I took a gap year and did a foundation course at The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester. At that point I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go down the musical theatre route, or study something different altogether, but after doing that course I fell in love with acting and went on to do the acting degree there.

What’s it been like working with Red Ladder and did you know about them beforehand?

I only graduated recently so to be working with Red Ladder is just amazing. I knew about Red Ladder and Wrongsemble and I’d heard great things from everyone about them. And now I’m here it’s like everything I imagined it would be, but also nothing like I imagined. It’s a lot of hard work doing two shows so the hours are long, which is to be expected, but I really feel like I’m on the right path and I know I’ve made the right choice.

At the same time, it’s easy when you’re just starting out to think the industry is a bit scary, but it isn’t what I’ve experienced. It’s been really welcoming and collaborative and I feel I’ve developed a nice bond with the directors.

How important are theatre companies like Red Ladder and Wrongsemble for young actors, writers and directors?

They’re so important. Hiring young actors, especially those who’ve come straight from higher education, allows them to take their first steps in the industry. So many talented young actors can get overlooked, so having an opportunity like this feels amazing. I was talking to Seeta Wrightson [co-writer of A Proper Merry Christmess] the other day. This is her debut as a playwright, and you can see how much it means to her. So for Cheryl to have that faith in her, and me, is huge. A lot of the focus in theatre is on London which is why it’s so important that we have theatre companies like Red Ladder and Wrongsemble that are prepared to give people opportunities and tell northern, working-class stories. I’m thrilled that my theatre debut is in Leeds.

Charles Doherty & Roo Arwen

Why does theatre still matter in today’s world with so much other entertainment on offer?

It’s so important that we have this creative outlet because it brings people together. And it’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Theatre is my lifeline! It’s especially important for me, as someone who has struggled through adversity – it’s got me through these tough spots. To be in the same room as someone whose persona may resonate with you even a little bit is an unexplainable feeling.

You can’t live a full life without the arts. I’m always telling people to go and see something at the theatre. Even if you go and see something and you don’t like it, at least you’ve experienced it.

What about your future plans. Are you happy on the stage, or would you like to branch out into TV and films?

My heart will always be with the theatre – I’m a theatre girl till I die! It’s what I grew up on, it’s the most accessible and it makes the most sense to me. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to do TV or film, of course, I’d love to do both. If I can perform and tell a story then I’m happy.

Rehearsal images from A Town Called Christmas and A Proper Merry Christmess by Lian Furness. Both shows on tour Nov and Dec 2025. Tickets available now.