It’s not many people who can say they have shared screen time with Chris Hemsworth, but Umina Beach actor Samson Alston is one of them.
The young actor, who is building an impressive resume in stage and screen work, played a young Thor in the Marvel film, Thor: Love and Thunder, and is set to take to the stage in a new play at Newtown’s New Theatre from October 30-November 4. [THIS SHOW HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED]
Alston said appearing in the Marvel movie was “a dream come true”.
“Working with some of my idols on such a big production was amazing – one of greatest experiences of my life,” he said.
“I got to work with Chris Hemsworth and his son Tristan, with Tristan and I playing younger versions of Chris’s Thor character.
“Theatre is my true love, but I really like the excitement and unpredictability of working in film.
“Chris was very welcoming, as was everyone on set.”
While the sequence featuring Thor as a child and then a young man took just one day to film, Alston said costume fittings alone took several months.
“The costume was leather-bound and custom made – it was quite a process,” he said.
Since training in New York, Alston has featured in a number of national advertising campaigns and gave an acclaimed performance at the end of Sydney’s first lockdown in The Credeaux Canvas (earning a Broadway World nomination for Best Actor).
He played Hayden in the TV series RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) and plays the pivotol role of Tully in the new STAN series Year Of, which is set to premiere in the new year.
He also played Adam in The Shape of Things for Flight Path Theatre, again earning a Broadway World nomination for best actor.
In his latest stage project, Alston is preparing to reprise his lead role in Lambert House Enterprises’ The Credeaux Canvas, originally staged in July 2020 at the intimate El Rocco theatre in Kings Cross.
As the first Sydney play out of the 2020 pandemic lockdown, capacity was limited to just 25 people per performance but rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences kept the show alive for 11 weeks.
Keith Bunin’s searing story of a love triangle and an art heist is funny, thrilling, moving … and very sexy.
Alston once again plays Winston, this time paired with his co-star from Year Of, Tharanya Tharan.
He said working with Tharan was an added bonus.
“We work well together she’s a great actor and it’s very comfortable,” he said.
Rounding out the cast are Mitch Roberts and Michelle Collins.
“I’m finding it very exciting coming back to the script two years on,” he said.
“I was only 18 when I first played the role and am now 20 – I feel I have improved as an actor and as a person and am finding new things in the play this time around.
“Rehearsals are a very enjoyable experience.”
The Credeaux Canvas is the story of three bohemian 20-somethings struggling to survive.
A promising bi-sexual artist, his roommate and his girlfriend hatch a plan to swindle an art connoisseur.
Laced with humour, sexual tension and suspense, Credeaux has captivated audiences all over the world.
It will play at the New Theatre from October 30-November 4.
Bookings are available at trybooking.
Terry Collins