Adam Frith
Biography - In depth
ABOUT ME
I’m a British actor based in London, focusing on British film, television drama, and stage. My route to acting has been anything but conventional. It’s taken me from the printing trade to international touring in dance-theatre and devised theatre, to establishing my own Pilates and yoga teaching career, and back to the work I first fell in love with.
I’m a British actor based in London, focusing on British film, television drama, and stage. My route to acting has been anything but conventional. It’s taken me from the printing trade to international touring in dance-theatre and devised theatre, to establishing my own Pilates and yoga teaching career, and back to the work I first fell in love with.
EARLY LIFE
I grew up on a large council estate in Leicester called Thurnby Lodge. I left school at 15 with four GCSEs and worked in a printing factory for four years. After a double family bereavement, I had an abrupt change of direction and spent two formative years with Leicester Haymarket Young People's Theatre, which changed the course of my life. After deciding that theatre was for me, I studied on a brilliant performing arts course at Melton Mowbray College of FE, whose alumni include Adrian Scarborough, Andy Nyman, and classmate Parminder Nagra. My first love was acting but whilst at Melton I also developed a passion for dance.
I grew up on a large council estate in Leicester called Thurnby Lodge. I left school at 15 with four GCSEs and worked in a printing factory for four years. After a double family bereavement, I had an abrupt change of direction and spent two formative years with Leicester Haymarket Young People's Theatre, which changed the course of my life. After deciding that theatre was for me, I studied on a brilliant performing arts course at Melton Mowbray College of FE, whose alumni include Adrian Scarborough, Andy Nyman, and classmate Parminder Nagra. My first love was acting but whilst at Melton I also developed a passion for dance.
In 1994, I was offered places at several leading universities and conservatoires for both drama and dance, including Exeter, Lancaster and Middlesex Universities, Bretton Hall, Dartington College of Arts, Crewe & Alsager, Northern School of Contemporary Dance. I chose to train at The Laban Centre for Movement and Dance, marking the start of a 14-year period working in dance-theatre, multi-disciplinary and devised theatre performance, choreography, and screen work.
EARLY CAREER
Whilst studying at The Laban Centre, I successfully auditioned for and toured with the National Youth Dance Company. After graduating in 1997, I performed with a range of dance and dance-theatre companies, which included national and international touring. UK-based stage highlights include performing with Protein Dance and Lea Anderson's The Cholmondeleys & The Featherstonehaughs. I also completed a national tour with the Sheffield-based theatre company Point Blank, performed as an actor at Battersea Arts Centre with Jan-Willem van den Bosch & Co., and appeared in two short films directed by the BIFA long-listed film and TV director Shelly Love.
Whilst studying at The Laban Centre, I successfully auditioned for and toured with the National Youth Dance Company. After graduating in 1997, I performed with a range of dance and dance-theatre companies, which included national and international touring. UK-based stage highlights include performing with Protein Dance and Lea Anderson's The Cholmondeleys & The Featherstonehaughs. I also completed a national tour with the Sheffield-based theatre company Point Blank, performed as an actor at Battersea Arts Centre with Jan-Willem van den Bosch & Co., and appeared in two short films directed by the BIFA long-listed film and TV director Shelly Love.
In 1999, I auditioned for RADA and progressed through all three audition rounds to the final workshop stage, one step away from being offered a place. The RADA Principal, Nicholas Barter, even broke protocol to send me personal written feedback, telling me I was already a good actor, a candidate for leading drama schools, and not to be discouraged. Although I narrowly missed out, the experience was a huge source of encouragement and quietly planted the seed for my eventual return to full-time acting training nearly two decades later.
Several years later, my dance career also reached a personal high when I was invited to take class with Pina Bausch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal during their London season at Sadler's Wells - an unforgettable experience with my greatest inspiration and dance heroes.
CAREER BREAK
Despite a successful early career, the life of a performing artist was increasingly difficult to sustain financially in London. At the age of 32, I set up my own business teaching Pilates and yoga, working with clients ranging from the elderly and professional dancers to Oscar winners and business leaders. Over 15 years, I gained financial stability while continuing to teach, though I missed performing and that special camaraderie of working with other artists and creatives.
Despite a successful early career, the life of a performing artist was increasingly difficult to sustain financially in London. At the age of 32, I set up my own business teaching Pilates and yoga, working with clients ranging from the elderly and professional dancers to Oscar winners and business leaders. Over 15 years, I gained financial stability while continuing to teach, though I missed performing and that special camaraderie of working with other artists and creatives.
RETURN TO ACTING
When I was materially able, I auditioned for places at leading drama schools to return to the work I first fell in love with. I gained three offers at the age of 46 and graduated from Drama Centre London in 2020. Since then, my screen credits include a significant off-screen role in Gerard Johnson’s feature Odyssey, work with BIFA-longlisted director Shelly Love, and Olivier Award-nominated Lanre Malaolu. I am also a multi-award-winning Best Actor for the short film Frank Sinatra and My Dad’s Wig, which I co-produced with writer Phil Pearson.
When I was materially able, I auditioned for places at leading drama schools to return to the work I first fell in love with. I gained three offers at the age of 46 and graduated from Drama Centre London in 2020. Since then, my screen credits include a significant off-screen role in Gerard Johnson’s feature Odyssey, work with BIFA-longlisted director Shelly Love, and Olivier Award-nominated Lanre Malaolu. I am also a multi-award-winning Best Actor for the short film Frank Sinatra and My Dad’s Wig, which I co-produced with writer Phil Pearson.
I am inspired by directors such as Lewis Arnold, Rose Glass, Shane Meadows, Steve McQueen, and Lynne Ramsay, as well as the high-quality ensemble work of Steppenwolf and the theatre of Robert Icke and Alexander Zeldin.
I live in inner north London with my partner and young daughter. Away from acting, I follow Leicester City and can often be found behind a camera, pursuing my passion for photography.