Raza Jaffrey

Did you know?!

1. Big break

   Jaffrey's break came in 2001, when he played Sky in Mamma Mia! at London's Prince Edward Theatre under director Phyllida Lloyd. That part led to the leading role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of A. R. Rahman's Bombay Dreams.

2. Early training

   During his last year at Manchester, Jaffrey worked with Gregory Doran, the Royal Shakespeare Company chief associate director. Jaffrey credits this experience as a reason he applied to Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

3. Behind the camera

   Jaffrey was the creator and co-producer of RED, a dance show celebrating many movement styles linked to India, which he took to Johannesburg's Nelson Mandela Theatre.

4. A change of course

   Before acting, Jaffrey aimed to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot and passed the entrance exams, studying English and Drama at Manchester University to prepare for officer training.

5. Beyond film

   Jaffrey has kept singing, performing in concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the London Palladium and with the BBC Concert Orchestra for BBC Radio 2.