About Russell Shaw
"Shaw is a 5 star intense comic actor" Fringe Review
Latest 2012
Russell Shaw is an 'Equity' registered actor with extensive international experience on stage and screen. In the UK he has performed in critically accaimed roles at venues ranging from the Assembly Rooms In EDINBURGH, 'Goetheanum' theatre in SWITZERLAND, he as also performed in Murder Mysteries in INDIA with 'Murder-One' and film work in GERMANY. He can be currently be seen on the SkyArts channel in two short ten minute plays 'Borys The Rotweiller' & 'Sleepless Nights' until 2013. He can also be seen in the 'Arctic Monkeys' music video 'When The Sun Goes Down' & the short film, Channel 4's 'Scummy Man' with Stephen Graham. Russell has just completed filming for the 'Virgin Media Shorts' he also recently finished a viral ad for American Express, as well as securing a principal role in one indie feature, a support in another feature, Russell is well travelled, versatile, motivated and a consummate professional. .
Russell was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire and now lives in East Sussex. In his mid to late twenties, he trained at Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, graduating with a BA Hons in Performing Arts at De Montfort University. Prior to his career in acting, Russell worked in the construction trade as an engineer/welder/builder, before moving on to roles in sales, and retail management. He has found that his experiences in the workplace have lent authenticity to many of the acting roles he has been cast in, and he still draws on his experience in the workplace for inspiration in his acting and performances.
It was during his training that he landed his first acting role as 'The Fella' in 'Madforit' directed by Gregory Hersov and Marianne Elliott at the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
Film Work
Most of his subsequent film work has been done for the small screen by way of commercials- both UK and abroad. Various other short films have been shown at festivals including the Bradford and Manchester festival. One of these films, 'Bad Faith' - a film shot in BERLIN which won a prestigious award. He was also cast in ashort film 'Jungle Fever plan B' filmed at ITV studios.
Radio Play and Voiceover Work
Russell has worked with producer Gary Brown (BBC Radio 4), playing three characters in a production of the Afternoon Play, 'Blind Eye', (2006) by Sharon Oakes.
He was the voice of 'Andy' in 'The Flickerman' directed by Lance Dann, broadcast on 'ABC radio AUSTRALIA' & WFMU NEW YORK stations.for more info on 'The Flickerman' http://www.theflickerman.com/
Corporate Work
Russell has appeared as part of the cast of Murder-One, performing in over 60 hotels playing various characters, followed by a short tour of INDIA with ‘Murder-One’ which was covered by CNN News... http://www.murder-one.com/cnn-murder-mystery.aspx
He has also taken part in corporate role-play work to improve people skills for 'CragRats' a corporate development group which specialises in community based educational programmes.
Stage and Theatre Performance
Russell played the role of Benedick in ''Much Ado About Nothing' with the Festival Shakespeare Company. 5 star, nominated best outdoor show in 2011 Brighton Fringe, also performing & singing in the musical 'Here Comes The Bride' the show winning the 'Fringe review teapot award' 5 star show.
He also performed with Brighton-based White Room Theatre- Bitesize appearing in various plays (produced by Nick Brice) at the Edinburgh festival. The company were runners up for the Carol Tambor award. The production also appeared at the Brighton fringe, winning the Argus angel award with 5 star reviews.
He also performed at the legendary 'Assembly Rooms' in EDINBURGH again with Bite-Size performing various short plays, two of the plays- 'Borys The Rotweiller and Shakespeare Monkeys earning great reviews..
He also played the roles of Lysimachus/Boult in Shakespeares 'Pericles Prince Of Tyre' Goetheanum theatre in SWITZERLAND with the Pericles theatre company.