Waterloo Road series three
Chris Geere plays Matt Wilding
Describe Matt and his role at Waterloo Road.
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"He's the new drama and music teacher. He uses his enthusiasm and love for drama to good use by putting on a musical at the school in order to inspire the kids – hard as it may be. He's a very caring, supportive and passionate teacher who really wants to get the best out of his students. He tries to be on a level with the students so they can work together as a team, rather than a typical teacher/student relationship."
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What three words would you use to describe Matt?
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"Ambitious, caring and – a tad – melodramatic."
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What do you like about Matt?
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"I like the fact that he's set himself on a near impossible task of writing, directing and producing a musical practically single-handed, and, despite several hurdles, he keeps going. However, his sometimes over ambitiousness can lead to him losing perspective. He cares so much that sometimes it is 'too' much."
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How similar or different to Matt are you?
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"We both think a lot. Twenty-six years and I still haven't worked out whether that's a good thing or not. I'm very open about myself, though, and Matt really keeps himself to himself."
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On the theme of inclusion this series, should pupils with different needs and abilities be educated within the mainstream system?
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"Absolutely. I think it's important to integrate people with different needs and abilities into the mainstream system."
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Do you think it is important for television programmes to illustrate these issues, especially within education?
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"The more people are made aware of these issues, the more understanding and co-operative they become. TV is probably one of the most effective ways of getting this message across."
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Does Matt have a love interest?
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"He has a long-term partner, Colin, who features throughout the series."
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Which character at Waterloo Road does Matt relate to most?
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"It would definitely have to be Steph. The helter-skelter friendship of Steph and Matt... I love it!"
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In this series, you get involved in producing a musical. Did you ever take part in a musical at school?
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"We did a play/musical version of Gregory's Girl when I was around 14. It was great fun, and we also got a lot of time out of lessons to rehearse!"
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What sort of student were you?
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"I never really excelled in any particular subject, but I was just alright at all of them. I never really knew what I wanted to do until I discovered drama."
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What was your first professional acting role?
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"I was lucky enough to join the RSC in a very small part in All's Well That Ends Well, with Dame Judi Dench. I couldn't believe my luck!"
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What have you enjoyed most about recording Waterloo Road?
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"The people – everyone is so talented. And Denise Welch is such an incredible actress to learn from."
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What did your school reports say about you?
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"That I was easily distracted, and had a tendency to be easily distracted. I've no idea what they meant!"
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What sort of teacher would you make?
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"I'd try my best to make the pupils think I was cool. Nothing would ever get done and I'd probably be fired."
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Did you have an inspiring teacher?
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"Angela Mackie. She was the drama teacher at school who sadly died earlier this year. She is probably the main reason I'm doing what I'm doing now – she was an absolutely incredible woman."
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Where were you born and brought up?
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"I was born in Cambridge, but brought up in and around Winchester, in Hampshire. I've also lived in Hong Kong and America. I live in Putney, south west London now."
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