Doctor Who: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Michelle Gomez

10. She Was Inspired To Act By The Play 'Kiss Me, Kate'

You often hear stories of actors and actresses whose inspiration for pursuing a career in the profession stems from witnessing an unforgettable performance or production, whether on stage or screen, that they someday yearn to emulate. As a 7 year old, Gomez was taken to see her first play - Cole Porter's muscial take on The Taming of the Shrew, entitled Kiss Me, Kate - at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow. It was a night that altered the course of her life and, encouraged by her parents, pushed her towards training as an actor at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama when she was 12. Despite being seated at the highest point of the theatre and nearly succumbing to heat exhaustion, Gomez refused to be torn away from her perch, so captivated and electrified she was by the performance. Even at such a tender age, Gomez, who describes herself as having an "ego running riot", was able to easily identify with the character of Kate due to the energy and passion she conveyed on the stage. It was a performance that clearly resonated with Gomez and drew her in to the acting field.