Alan Mehdizadeh

Alan Mehdizadeh (Persian: الان مهدیزاده‎; born 4 September 1982) is a British-Iranian actor, appearing on stage and screen. He played the role of Don in the West End musical, Kinky Boots. He is also a talent agent, and runs London-based agency Avenue Management.

Early life[]

Alan Mehdizadeh was born in Hastings, East Sussex. His father is Iranian, and his mother is English. He is the eldest of 4 siblings.

Whilst it is not immediately clear as to the specific nature of the issues he is referring to, Alan suggests he suffered a difficult childhood in a recent interview, (and even went as far as to attribute them for his career success so far), "having had a difficult upbringing, it’s made me more determined and ambitious than I probably would have been had I had a “conventional” childhood. I try to succeed in spite of my experience."^[1]

His early career started at the Questors Theatre in Ealing, where he appeared in a youth production of 'Godspell',^[2] when he was 14. He then went on to perform at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in a production of 'Watership Down', where he played Cowslip.^[3] He also regularly appeared in popular BBC children's programme 'Grange Hill'.^[4]

Education[]

Mehdizadeh graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 2007 (where he read Drama). Whilst studying, he also founded the long-running Curtain Call Musical Theatre Society which recently celebrated its 10th birthday with a gala performance at which Mehdizadeh gave a speech, and sung.

Other educational institutions attended include Richmond Upon Thames College, and Drayton Manor High School. At high school he appeared in school shows with actors such as Adebayo Bolaji, Sian Clifford, and Anthony Welsh

Career[]

Mehdizadeh will be appearing in upcoming Graham Moore (writer) movie The Outfit (upcoming film). The film stars Mark Rylance, Zoey Deutch, Dylan O'Brien, Johnny Flynn, Simon Russell Beale, and Nikki Amuka-Bird.

In 2021 he will be appearing in new TV series Whitstable Pearl starring Kerry Godliman.

As of 15 August 2016, Mehdizadeh joined the West End production of 'Kinky Boots' in the role of Don.^[5] The hit musical recently won Best New Musical at the 2016 Olivier Awards, and continues to play at the Adelphi Theatre in London. Mehdizadeh left the production in June 2018.

Another of Mehdizadeh's notable credits to date is the role of Big Davey in the West End musical 'Billy Elliot the Musical',^[6] (which he played for two years between May 2013 and May 2015). Mehdizadeh also appeared in the same role for both the worldwide live cinema release, and the subsequent DVD release of the show.^[7] Mehdizadeh further, played the role of Big Davey at the 10th anniversary gala performance in May 2015.

In 2016, Alan was appearing in the UK premiere production of 'Swap!', written and directed by TV star Ian Ogilvy.^[8] The play toured the UK. Alan played Harry "The Hammer" Henson alongside several TV personalities (including Kim Tiddy & Louisa Lytton).

In 2012, he originated the roles of Dad and The MC in a stage adaptation of Oliver Jeffers' book 'The Incredible Book Eating Boy' at the Belfast arts venue, The MAC.^[9]

Mehdizadeh is also the founder, and artistic director of UK production company What Was That? Productions, with whom he has produced and appeared in many productions.^[10]

References[]