Lung Ha at 40: Spotlight on… Keith Watson

Jul 30 2024 | By Thom Dibdin More

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Lung Ha Theatre Company, All Edinburgh Theatre is delighted to collaborate with the award-winning professional company for actors and theatre makers who are autistic or learning-disabled.

Lung Ha have marked the occasion by commissioning a series of portraits of every member of its 25-strong ensemble from Edinburgh-based photographer Peter Dibdin. Æ will publish the individual portraits over the coming year of celebrations (see our News story: Lung Ha hit 40). We are publishing a new spotlight on a different actor every fortnight.

Lung Ha Actor Keith Watson, photographed by Peter Dibdin for Lung Ha’s 40th year celebrations.

Spotlight #6: Keith Watson

Keith’s first play with Lung Ha was Antigone in 2012. Most recently he played Boss, a patient, in the award-winning Castle Lennox (Æ review: ★★★★☆ Huge humanity)

In 2021, Keith played the macabre brother Colin in An Unexpected Hiccup, a co-production with Plutot la Vie. It is a role he will be reprising when the production is revived at this year’s Fringe, playing the Main House of Zoo Southside (venue 82) every day from Fri 2 to Sat 10 August at 4.30pm (tickets and further details)

He has performed in seven other Lung Ha productions, inducing Three Sisters in 2018 (Æ review: ★★★★☆ Direct), the immersive Dr Stirlingshire’s Discovery, a co-production in 2018 with Grid Iron which took place after hours in Edinburgh Zoo, and Morna Pearson’s adaptation of RL Stevenson: The Strange Cast of Jekyll and Hyde in 2015.

Keith likes being a member of Lung Ha because it makes him feel amazing. He finds his skills are improving more and more because of support from the people around him. Keith also enjoys swimming, art, and going to the theatre.

Lung Ha Actor Keith Watson, photographed by Peter Dibdin for Lung Ha’s 40th year celebrations.

Keith Watson Q&A

What do you think is the most fabulous thing about being an actor? It helps me to build up my confidence. It gives me a way to express myself and it is joyful and fun. It really makes me happy when I see people enjoying the plays.

If you could give an aspiring actor one piece of advice, what would it be? Don’t be shy. Overcome the fear you may have of being in the spotlight, be confident and think positive. Tell yourself: You Can Do This.

40 years is a big milestone during which we look back but also look ahead! What are your hopes or ambitions for the future? I would like to see Lung Ha continue to thrive, as it is a great company that gives people with learning difficulties the chance to learn to act and build their self worth. I would love to be able to go on tour and then I could see more of the world outside Edinburgh, while doing something I love at the same time.

The 40th anniversary photo shoot took place at the Traverse Theatre. Costumes by Karen Tennent; hair and make-up by Catherine Christie.

Browse the rest of the Spotlight on series here.