‘If you had told me at 17 I’d be going to the Oscars, I would not have believed it’
Lauren Patel will be jetting off to the States later this month after the success of the Wallace and Gromit movie at the BAFTAs on Sunday, where it won two gongs.
The 23-year-old voiced PC Mukherjee in Vengeance Most Fowl, which premiered on Christmas day.
Although she was not at the award ceremony, the former The Sixth Form Bolton student will be at the star-studded Oscars where it has also be shortlisted for an Academy Award.
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl won best animated film and best children’s and family film.
Lauren said: “It’s been such a wonderful experience, in two weeks time, I’ll be at the Oscars – I’m very excited about that!
“If you had told 17-year-old me at Bolton Sixth Form that in a few years I’d be going to the Oscars, I’d never have believed you in a million years.”
Lauren studied performing arts, music and media Studies at The Sixth Form Bolton, a time she said was full of “fond memories”.
She said: “It was wonderful, lots of fond memories at The Sixth Form, it’s a really lovely place and I had a great time there.
“They were all incredibly supportive and really nurtured my passion.”
Lauren Patel played PC Mukherjee in the latest Wallace and Gromit movie (Image: Tom Barker) Before The Sixth Form Bolton, she went to Smithills School and credits one person in particular with starting her drive to success.
She said: “I played in a brass band at Smithills and the conductor of that, Chris Wormald, really nurtured my work ethic.
“I really do credit him with a lot of the success I have now.”
Even though Lauren is happy that her job needs her to travel around the country, she said that her heart remains in Bolton.
She said: “My whole family is still here, I did a stint in London but I missed the north too much.
“I think that being able to travel for my job is such a privilege, seeing so much of the world is really lovely – and always with really lovely people, which is great.”
Lauren said that her favourite memory was returning to her hometown to play her first theatre show at the Octagon.
She said: “To be back in the place where I had seen so many plays before, and just around the corner for Olympus Fish and Chips too!
“Every time I’m in The Bolton News, I’m like, ‘oh God it’s the local paper!’ – my dad was more excited about me being in The Bolton News than being in Vogue!”
Even though Lauren was joined by fellow Boltoners Peter Kay and Diane Morgan on Vengeance Most Fowl, she said the parts were recorded individually.
She said: “Being from Bolton, everyone else in my family has met Peter Kay – except me, and I’m the one in a film with him!”
Lauren had, however, originally seen a different career for herself than acting.
She said: “I wanted to be a palaeontologist, because that’s what Ross from Friends was – I’ve taken a full 180 there!
“I always admired it and the people who did it, when I came round to the idea of being an actor it was maybe getting a bit on the telly.
“I never imagined that it would happen in the way it has, every day I can’t believe it to be honest!”
Lauren Patel recording voice lines for PC Mukherjee in Vengeance Most Fowl (Image: Lauren Patel) Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.co.uk
Patel got her start in the world of acting when she was cast in a lead role in the movie Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
Her big break came as she was applying for drama schools all across London – and getting nothing but rejection letters.
She said: “I was applying to drama schools and not getting anywhere.
“The month I got my final rejection email, I saw the part for the film Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
“I thought, I’m obviously not going to get it, but it’s good practice so I sent a tape in.”
Lauren was cast as Pritti Pasha 20 days later – and another 20 days later she was filming on the set.
She said: “Over the span of about 40 days, I went from having my final exam to moving to Sheffield and living alone for the first time.
“It was definitely the springboard for everything else I’ve ever done.”
Lauren Patel at the premier of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Image: Lauren Patel) READ MORE: The Octagon Theatre celebrates record breaking year in Bolton
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Lauren said she learned so much in getting her career off the ground after facing rejection and setbacks.
She said: “I thought that going to drama school was the only way to be an actor, but the more actors I meet the more I realise that’s not the only way.
“You have to be determined, and a bit pushy, but if you keep banging on doors someone will eventually let you in.”
Source – INDIA TV
