Max Bowden on swapping soaps for the stage

Set before, during and after World War One, Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss returns to the stage marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel. Ahead of the mesmerising story visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal (Tue 21 – Sat 25 Jan), we caught up with Max Bowden, starring as Jack Firebrace, to find out more…

You came back to Birdsong having appeared in a production back in 2015-16. How did it feel to be returning?

Strange! It feels almost like a coming-of-age tale to be back with the show nearly a decade later, even though the time has passed really quickly.

You played Tipper last time, and Jack Firebrace this time. Could you tell us a bit about Jack?

Jack is a sapper, one of the Royal Engineers, and he has a lot of heart and charisma. He’s representative of the kind of camaraderie a lot of the men had in the trenches. He’s always trying to lift the others up, even though he’s suffering from missing his wife and son back home. He’s a real testament to the ‘keep calm and carry on spirit’ of the time.

Does it help having seen other actors play the role?

I always try to steer clear of copying other performances as I want to make my own mark. The beauty is that because Jack is fictional, the ball is in my court to try and find my take on who he really is.

Sebastian Faulks’ novel turned 30 years old recently. Why do you think it continues to resonate with people?

Thematically, it’s as pertinent as it has ever been. Sadly, we are living in a more divided society, in a world in conflict. The story contains all of the beauty and the cruelty of mankind.

This is a brand-new staging of the production. Could you give us a sense of what we can expect?

It cleverly emulates the way that war is so harsh on the senses. The creative and technical team have created a brilliant design and soundscape that really takes you into the Western Front, while also juxtaposing it with the softness and beauty of what came before.

Does the visceral staging help you as an actor to get into the world of the story?

Definitely. It really feels like everything is at you and on top of you, so when we get to the climactic moments of fear, or heartache, they’re even more impactful.

You left EastEnders in 2024 after five years playing Ben Mitchell. How did that experience shape you as an actor?

EastEnders is one of the hardest gigs, if not the hardest gig, in acting, because a lot of the time you have to strip away your technique and rely on impulse. I carry quite a lot of ‘the method’ in my approach to my acting, and it’s easy to get a bit lost in the work as a result. It’s shaped me in that I no longer approach anything with fear. It’s a brilliant place to hone your skills, so I’m very grateful for my time there.

How did you get into acting in the first place?

When I was about 10 my Mum took me to a Saturday drama class, I think she realised quite quickly I had a knack for it, so from then on, I wasn’t allowed to do anything else! My Dad worked in TV, so he was quite resistant to me doing it professionally because he knew the nature of the business. But I think part of Mum wanted to do it herself when she was younger, so she was always very supportive.

You teach acting yourself. What sort of advice do you give to your students?

I love giving back and helping someone else learn the process and then flourish. I’ve got a profound interest in young people’s development, especially since become a father myself. And my major piece of advice is to educate yourself: if you want to be truly great you have to put the graft in.

How do you relax away from the stage?

I love to play golf and spend time in nature. I also watch a hell of a lot of films – including lots of military ones, which doesn’t sound very relaxing, but it is, trust me!

What does it mean to honour the memory of men like Jack Firebrace?

Honouring the memory of anybody from that era is so important. But I think Jack is particularly special. He’s selfless and sees it as his duty to keep everybody morale up and focussed on their purpose. He’s a real master of that. I think he represents the everyman who fought in the trenches, so for me it’s just so important to keep telling his story.

Birdsong plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 21 – Sat 25 Jan 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.