Forbes Masson

Forbes Masson (born August 17, 1963, Falkirk, Scotland) is a British actor and writer who is loved by many. He best known for his classical theatre roles and comedy partnership with Alan Cumming.

Television

Partnership with Alan Cumming

Masson’s first television appearances were in the late 80s, including an episode of "Taggart".He is most famous for writing and performing alongside Alan Cumming in the situation comedy, "The High Life". Masson and Cumming also formed a cult Kelvinside musical double act "Victor and Barry", which was filmed for an stv show [http://www.scotlandontv.tv/scotland_on_tv/video.html?vxSiteId=60fdd544-9c52-4e17-be7e-57a2a2d76992&vxChannel=Culture%20On%20Stage&vxClipId=1380_SMG314&vxBitrate=300] and were nominated for a Perrier Award in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1988, toured Australia in 1989, playing the Sydney Opera House, but were killed off onstage at the London Palladium in the early 1990s.

Other Roles

Other notable television roles include: Stan Laurel in the episode "Meltdown" of the sitcom, "Red Dwarf"; Eck in the 1992 comedy series, "My Dead Dad"; Rodney Morris in "EastEnders" (2000); Tam Flood in "Hamish Macbeth" (1996) As well as various roles in "Is It Bill Bailey?(1998)" He also played rock band manager Art Stilton in Channel 4 cult comedy "The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star" (1998).

Theatre

Writing

Masson has written and composed a series of critically acclaimed Scottish musicals; "Stiff", "Mince" and "Pants". He directed the semi- autobiographical "Mince" with The Dundee Rep Theatre Ensemble and it was nominated for best musical in The Barclays TMA awards in 2001.

At the Tron Theatre, Glasgow from 2001-2005 his alternative Christmas Pantomimes including "Aladdie" and "Weans in the Wood" were hugely successful. It was at the Tron theatre that he first worked with Michael Boyd.

He has also worked with Gordon Dougall's Sounds of Progress music theatre company promoting disability inclusivity in the Arts.

RSC

After many years performing in countless Scottish theatre productions, Masson became a leading actor with The Royal Shakespeare Company. His roles included Horatio to Toby Stephens'"Hamlet" in 2004, and Feste in "Twelfth Night" in 2005. Both productions were directed by RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd. He recently worked with Boyd again, performing in the critically acclaimed Histories cycle from 2006-2008 in Stratford-Upon-Avon and The Roundhouse, Camden. His roles in the cycle included Bagot in "Richard II", Rumour in " [Henry IV, Part Two", Chorus in "Henry V"and King Edward IV in "Henry VI" and "Richard III".

Forthcoming Production

He will appearing as The Fool to Pete Postlethwaite's King Lear, directed by Rupert Goold at The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool Autumn 2008 and the Young Vic in early 2009 with Headlong Theatre Co

Masson is an Artistic Associate of The National Theatre of Scotland