Two actors who have appeared on the same episode of a Netflix show have made a return visit to Perth Youth Theatre.
Aron Dochard and Ronan Doyle, both 25, attended the youth theatre while at school.
They each went on to appear in series two, episode two of Netflix prequel The Witcher: Blood Origin, which was released on Christmas Day 2022.
Aron, who studied actor musicianship at Rose Bruford College, played Grella the Greasy Elf.
At the beginning of the episode he opened a brothel door and told Meldof, played by Francesca Mills, to get lost – only for her to then murder him.
“The biggest thing I took from it is that I absolutely loved it,” Aron said.
“I had a great time and managed to enjoy the moment.”
Meanwhile Newburgh-raised Ronan, who studied acting and performance at North East Scotland College, played Atta in the episode.
And now they have passed on their advice to budding actors at PYT.
In this article Aron explains how he has made a breakthrough in the competitive world of acting.
World of ‘make-believe’ signified future
Aron grew up in Perth’s Western Edge and was educated at Oakbank Primary School and Morrison’s Academy in Crieff.
When he was young he had an inkling that he wanted to be an actor because he used to play “make-believe”.
“I was convinced I was a dinosaur until I was six,” he joked.
“I did also like being Cilla from the Singing Kettle.”
At 15 he was encouraged by Hector McMillan, a former teacher and theatre director at Morrison’s, to pursue acting.
Mr McMillan was impressed with Aron’s portrayal of teacher Andrew Crocker-Harris in The Browning Version.
“He had a lot of confidence in me and said I could do it professionally if I wanted to,” Aron said.
“At that age I just thought it was a fun thing to, but he looked me in the eyes and said it is something I can do.
“From then I was determined to do it.”
Parallels with Ewan McGregor
It was also at the age of 15 that Aron left Perth Youth Theatre, which he had been involved in for the previous four years.
Aron became involved in PYT through his mother Pam, who works for Perth Theatre in media relations.
At the weekly sessions he was taught drama exercises such as improvisation and scenes, which culminated with a performance at the end of each year.
“PYT was incredibly important and I thought it was a brilliant institution when I was there,” he said.
Its most famous alumnus is Trainspotting star Ewan McGregor, who also studied at Morrison’s Academy in Crieff.
“At that age you look for people who came from your area who have done it before and he definitely served as an inspiration,” Aron said.
Signing was breakthrough moment
Aron’s career path is very different to those of his siblings.
His brother Angus, 20, is studying economics at university and Cara, 22, is a recent sociology graduate.
Meanwhile Aron did a one-year HNC acting course at New College Lanarkshire in Motherwell.
At 19 he won a coveted place at the Rose Bruford drama school in London. He has lived in the capital ever since.
In his third-year showcase he was spotted by agent Jenny Rhodes, who was working for theatrical agency Shepperd-Fox.
Agents have contacts with casting directors who have contacts with production directors who allocate roles.
So signing for Ms Rhodes was a breakthrough moment.
Medical acting provides income
At the end of 2019 Aron had a role in a production of Peter Pan at Hull Truck Theatre.
He has also played parts in adverts for Jet fuel stations and US gaming company GameStop.
As well as his role in The Witcher: Blood Origin he has a small part in another Netflix production that is still to be released.
Helping Aron financially is casual work in medical roleplay during doctors’ exams.
“I would love to be the lead in Quentin Tarantino’s next epic but the reality is that you have to just make progress,” Aron said.
“You get the walk-on roles and small roles and the more credits you get the more confidence casting directors have in you
“I am happy to play an interesting character like I did in The Witcher.
“I love it whether it has one line or if I am the main character.
“I like pretending to be another person, which sounds pretentious – and probably is.
“In The Witcher I was in a brothel and it was completely different for me.
“I found it freeing and creative – it didn’t matter that I was only in it for a bit.”
Advice is to stay inspired
He says returning to PYT with Ronan was a strange coincidence, given they were both in the same episode of The Witcher.
They met the current members of the group as they rehearsed their production of Brainstorm – a theatrical investigation into how teenagers’ brains work, and why they’re designed by evolution to be the way they are.
Aron admits he is a long way from achieving his career goals in the acting industry.
But he is still well-placed to offer some advice to the latest crop of PYT actors.
“People tell you that being a professional actor is incredibly difficult to do,” he said.
“I echo that but if you know you need to do it you just know.
“For those who want to do it professionally I would say have faith, enjoy it and don’t get bogged down in industry stuff. That’s a big thing I try to avoid.
“There is a lot of stuff on the side of actual acting – such as making money – but if you can stay clear of that and remember why you love it you will be alright.
“As long as you can stay inspired then you will enjoy whatever you do.”
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