Spotlight.
Sanjay Lago
INTRODUCTION
Sanjay Lago is a neurodiverse, South Asian actor, playwright, comedian, and facilitator. He has worked in various mediums from stage to screen. He is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Through his time in the arts, Sanjay is also passionate about EDI and Mental Health in the arts and in society. He was a part of the Soho Theatre Writers Lab, where his play “Jalebi” was longlisted for the Tony Craze Playwrighting Award.
He is the John Mather Trust Rising Star of Scotland recipient with National Theatre of Scotland where he has been developing his new play around male mental health since August 2022. He has worked with Traverse Theatre, Imaginate, Mischief Las Bas, Tamasha, Tara Arts and Scottish BPOC Writers to name a few. Currently, you might recognise him from the Sky Protect advert as the Scottish Delivery Guy to the Giant.
INTERVIEW
How did you get into art? What initially inspired you?
The creative field wasn’t my first career path. I was initially going into Law and Translation and spoke 7 languages at one point. But thanks to my Drama Teacher, Ilona Wewiorski’s support to grow in confidence and combat the bullies, creativity became my way to release how I was feeling. Alongside this, Doctor Who also was a big inspiration for me. It was my escape away from the world. Through this show, I was enthralled by the acting, the storytelling and the worlds it created. But also how it educated on things I didn’t know much about. I look back now and I am so grateful to my drama teacher and doctor who, as they are the things that helped me be here today
What themes do you tend to interrogate in your work?
My work as a writer focuses on themes of race, belonging, masculinity, queer identities, mental health, suicide, and intersectionality. I enjoy writing and creating work that educates or gets an audience thinking whilst also creating a fun piece of performance.
As an actor, I am interested in verbatim theatre, new writing and also working with unheard and new voices.
What is your favourite project you’ve ever worked on and why?
This was a hard question! Ahh but I’m going to be cheeky and share 2 projects!
My 1st favourite project that I have ever worked on was my piece “Goodbye Colour” which was a piece that looked at wishing to get rid of my skin colour so that I could fit in with society. Within the piece I paint myself white and whilst sitars are playing behind me, my friend and fellow performer Helen goes to audience members and asked them one by one if they accept me for who I am and if they do, they take a wipe and bring me back to Sanjay. It was the first show my parents and big brother cried their eyes out. We ended the show with a dance of various dance styles.
And 2nd favourite project has to be my play “Jalebi” that was longlisted for the Tony Craze Playwright Award at Soho Theatre in London. In short, this was my degree show at first, where I came out to my parents the day before I went on stage. And I turned that experience into this play. Close to my heart it is and who doesn’t love a Jalebi?
What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into your field?
- Get ready to work work work! This is a tough industry where collaboration is key, so connect and create with fellow creatives.
- Support each other, don’t make it an us and them, let’s uplift all POC in the arts, we are small in Scotland. Amplify the names in rooms where they aren’t being heard.
- Don’t be scared to stand your ground, take risks and own your space.
- Have fun, because we only get one life.
What are you currently working on?
This year I am developing and coming to the end of my award with National Theatre of Scotland, developing my play about male suicide, grief and loss.
I am developing a few projects, from a new young person’s show and also developing my stand up storytelling show “Love Me Like A Chai Tea Latte” which I performed in London at the Vaults Festival last year.
And just applying, auditioning wherever I can and not giving up. I hope to finally be cast and have the chance to perform in Scotland, my home. 13 years in this industry and I am going to keep going!