10 things that changed my life: Actor Keith Fleming

WHEN I was a kid I found this “book” that had a couple of records/singles in it. I had a record player in my room so put them on. I think I was seven-years-old. I was blown away by I am the Walrus, and remember feeling emotional upon hearing Fool on the Hill... thus my passion for The Beatles was born. Neither of my parents were hugely into the band so I’m not sure who it belonged to, but my life was enriched by the discovery and a journey into 1960s music was begun. Unfortunately, I have no idea where that collector’s item now is.

2 Women

BACK down! Women have always been a huge influence in my life. My mum more or less brought me up herself. My passion for wildlife conservation has been hugely influenced by the work of my heroes, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas, whose Orangutan Foundation I got to go work for in the Borneo Rain Forest a few years ago.

Now we have Greta Thunberg making an incredible impression and ruffling the feathers of the white privileged males of the fossil fuel industry – more power to her.

Some of my closest and most supportive friends are women. I had close female friends at school, along with Kev, who I have been friends with since primary. And of course, my partner, Charlene. She changes my life for the better every day.

3 Dundee

IN 2001, I became a member of Dundee Rep Theatre Ensemble. In my time there, I performed in over 37 productions. I had the incredible opportunity to stretch myself and take on parts I might not normally be considered for, so artistically it was hugely rewarding. I was Peer Gynt, who was the “fucking emperor” – an experience I’ll never forget.

I met some incredible people who have influenced and remain part of my life. Dominic Hill is a most extraordinary director, who I had the joy of meeting as part of the ensemble, and we have continued to work together beyond the Rep. He has given me belief and made me a better actor. Annie, Nils, Finn and Lewis are more or less family to me. I moved into their house for three weeks, and left five years later! Two of my best friendships, Linda and Debi, were forged in the Rep bar, as well as Mickey Coyles.

I loved my time there, but changes in my life dictated it was time to seek new pastures.

4 Cancer

JUST as Dundee has the most wonderful memories for me, it also brought me the most devastating. My then partner, Jude, was diagnosed with melanoma. I’ll never forget receiving the news – seeing beads of sweat form on her nose, suddenly being aware of an enormous silence, feeling sick and as if someone had drained me of all my blood in a split second.

It’s the kind of news you think happens to other people. Suddenly there’s a kind of expiry date on your life. Unfortunately, as soon as treatment started the cancer spread rapidly and Jude passed within six months.

It was devastating – not being able to help a loved one, to make her better. She was incredible in her strength and in organising things she wanted me to take care of when she was no longer around. She wanted a concert or fund-raising event to help people in her position, which we did. The acts of selfless generosity from people were testament to her effect on the lives of those she touched.

And with her family, my friends in Dundee and further afield, I was helped through the toughest of times. One of those people is going through cancer treatment now, and my love, and hers, is with him.

Life can be short, so live it.

5 Miss McHarrie

SHE was a no-nonsense English teacher who I have a lot to thank for. I was cheeky and naughty at school but never really bad. Miss McHarrie joined us at a difficult time when we had numerous supply teachers who had the thankless task of controlling discipline, never mind try to teach us. She came in mid-term and instantly commanded respect. She had a passion for teaching, for knowledge, for language, and her lessons were a joy to go to. I credit her with getting good grades in my English exams. You wanted to do well for her.

She is the one who ignited my interest in becoming an actor. She told me she thought I’d make a good one and particularly Richard II. I haven’t played that role, but thanks to her passion for Shakespeare and encouragement, I am on the journey to being a better actor. I have been fortunate with teachers/tutors from drama school, Patsy Rodenberg, Ken Rea, Wyn Jones, whose words and advice stick with you, but Miss McHarrie set the ball rolling.

6 Florence

WHEN I was 17, I went along with my friend, Mark Graham, to join the choir rehearsals at lunch. We were eyed with suspicion as we weren’t the choir “type”. They thought we were up to no good. And they were right, in a way. We wanted to go on the choir trip to Germany and Italy. We were teenagers in our prime and wanted to meet German and Italian girls.

But the singing blew my mind – Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Carmena Burana by Orff. The trip was incredible and I fell in love with Florence. The architecture, the food, the culture, the art. I sat in wonder at The Birth of Venus, was filled with awe by the names of the artists whose work I was seeing in the Uffizi. I was utterly enchanted with the birthplace of the Renaissance.

7 21/5/2016

NOTHING needs to be said really – if you know, you know. But one of the best days of my life. My dad in the last few weeks of his life knew he was dying and he said to me that he’d hoped he would get to see Hibs lift the cup in his lifetime, but ah , well....

It began to feel like I’d never see that day either... But OH YES! 114 years! The celebration, the joy, the wait, the opposition – hahaha! My best mate Kev called me from America, where he now lives… even across the Atlantic he knew the importance. THE EXUBERANCE!

8 Billy Connolly

I REMEMBER hearing my dad playing Get Right Intae Him and laughing. He let me listen to this and other albums of Billy’s. The man is a genius. An Audience with Billy Connolly is one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen on TV. I became obsessed by him, his storytelling and observation comedy that seemed to transcend anything else I’d seen and yet I felt I recognised many of the people and situations he spoke of.

I love stand up. Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Bill Hicks, Robin Williams, Bridget Christie, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Joan Rivers are geniuses in their field. But Billy ignited that interest for me, and remains for me the greatest.

We are living in changing, difficult times and a time of the cancel culture. What a dangerous precedent to set. That you can “cancel” someone because you don’t agree with or like something someone says or does. That doesn’t make you right. People would do well to remember that before drowning themselves in self-righteousness. Have a look at your phone or laptop and think about the slave labour that went into making that chip or screen.

Who would be a comedian these days and live in fear? But the best manage to shine a light on the dangers and hypocrisy in our society. It’s an art. Everything is funny until it happens to you and a comedian making a joke doesn’t necessarily mean that is their belief – it means they saw an opportunity for a joke. Unless, of course, they are being deliberately offensive but we could be here for hours…so…!

9 Grid Iron Theatre Company

I’VE been really fortunate to have worked with so many brilliant people over the years. Of course, you can’t remain friends or in touch with all of them but Grid Iron have been a constant in my life.

I met Ben Harrison after he saw me in Peer Gynt and we chatted about a project, Barflies. From then on Jude, Debs, Ben, DPJ and Rob have been like family. We go see each other’s work, hang out socially, discuss future possibilities and offer emotional support when needed.

Barflies was an amazing project for me as not only did I get to work with my pal Gail Watson (who is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met) but in the remount I got to work with Charlene, who became my partner many years later. It was a very intimate piece that required a lot of trust and consideration and also a sense of humour.

Grid Iron are always careful to ensure the right environment is in place for work to commence and for everyone to feel secure to explore. I’m hugely grateful for their support.

10 London

I MOVED to London when I was 19. I ended up spending 10 years there. So much happened. I went to art college, trained as an actor, followed Spiral Tribe raves around London, served Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys during lock-ins at local pub, taught people such as David Frost, Jamie Lee Curtis and John Cleese to race go-karts at corporate events, ended up in a ball swamp at a Duran Duran member’s house and laughed until I ached with my pal Bobby from back home in Edinburgh.

I also interrupted a violent sexual assault on a woman very late one night, and chased the guy and managed to hold him until police arrived.

I don’t know what came out my mouth when I shouted at him but it certainly wasn’t what I was trying to say. Adrenalin I guess kicked in – and it wasn’t until I caught up with him that I realised I was alone.

Although it went to court, the guy got off with a minimal punishment. It was sickening.

London is a brilliant but relentless and grinding place and work dictated I headed north. I never moved back but it had such an influence on me.

Catch Keith in Grid Iron Theatre Company’s Doppler: The Story So Far, a documentary about the ups and downs of producing theatre in a global pandemic, free until May 9. www.gridiron.org.uk