Muddy Stilettos


<p>If you binge-watched&nbsp;<em>Game of Thrones</em>&nbsp;(remember the assassin with more disguises than Madonna’s tour wardrobe?) or devoured&nbsp;<em>Stranger Things</em>, you’ll know Tom Wlaschiha. The German actor is about to swap Netflix for London&#8217;s National Theatre, taking on the role of Thomas opposite Juliet Stevenson and Michael Fox in&nbsp;<em><strong><a href="https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/the-land-of-the-living/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Land of the Living</a></strong></em>&nbsp;– a brand-new play by David Lan, directed by Stephen Daldry. Running in the Dorfman from 9 Sept – 1 Nov, it’s a powerful story set in post-war Germany exploring memory, morality and the messy business of choices. We caught up with Tom mid-rehearsals to talk stage nerves, London loves (and loathes), and why the dancefloor still has his number.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1706" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Thomas-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-00145-scaled.jpg" alt="Tom in rehearsals for The Land of the Living at the National Theatre | Marc Brenner" class="wp-image-118387" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Thomas-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-00145-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Thomas-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-00145-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Thomas-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-00145-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Thomas-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-00145-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Thomas-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-00145-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tom in rehearsals for <em>The Land of the Living</em> at the National Theatre | Marc Brenner</figcaption></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-started-in-theatre-before-hollywood-came-calling-what-tempted-you-back-to-the-boards">You started in theatre before Hollywood came calling. What tempted you back to the boards?</h4>



<p>Theatre was my first love, and I’ve wanted to get back on stage for ages.&nbsp;<em>The Land of the Living</em>&nbsp;is such a complex, moving piece – I was hooked the moment I read it. Add a dream cast and creative team, and I didn’t have to think twice.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-london-stage-debut-is-at-the-dorfman-nervous-about-performing-in-such-an-intimate-space-or-do-you-secretly-love-it">Your London stage debut is at the Dorfman. Nervous about performing in such an intimate space – or do you secretly love it?</h4>



<p>The Dorfman’s a brilliant space – flexible, experimental, and the audience is practically in your lap. Terrifying, yes, but also exhilarating. It makes the whole thing feel immediate and alive.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-give-us-your-30-sec-pitch-for-nbsp-the-land-of-the-living-why-should-we-book-tickets-other-than-the-fact-you-re-in-it-obvs">Give us your 30-sec pitch for&nbsp;<em>The Land of the Living</em>. Why should we book tickets (other than the fact you’re in it, obvs)?</h4>



<p>It’s a powerful and poetic play about children stolen during WWII and the lifelong consequences of those choices. It’s about memory – how we all remember the same events differently – and about trying to hold on to a moral compass when the world tilts.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stephen-Daldry-Director-and-Juliet-Stevenson-Ruth-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-02769-scaled.jpg" alt="Stephen Daldry (Director) and Juliet Stevenson (Ruth) in rehearsals for The Land of the Living | Marc Brenner" class="wp-image-118386" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stephen-Daldry-Director-and-Juliet-Stevenson-Ruth-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-02769-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stephen-Daldry-Director-and-Juliet-Stevenson-Ruth-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-02769-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stephen-Daldry-Director-and-Juliet-Stevenson-Ruth-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-02769-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stephen-Daldry-Director-and-Juliet-Stevenson-Ruth-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-02769-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Stephen-Daldry-Director-and-Juliet-Stevenson-Ruth-in-rehearsals-for-The-Land-of-the-Living-at-the-National-Theatre.-c-Marc-Brenner-02769-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stephen Daldry (Director) and Juliet Stevenson (Ruth) in rehearsals for <em>The Land of the Living</em> | Marc Brenner</figcaption></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-working-with-juliet-stevenson-and-michael-fox-what-s-rehearsal-room-gossip-teaching-you-about-your-co-stars">You’re working with Juliet Stevenson and Michael Fox – what’s rehearsal room gossip teaching you about your co-stars?</h4>



<p>It’s been a gift. Juliet carries the play with such brilliance, and Michael is fantastic. And working with Stephen Daldry has been a real luxury – workshops, rehearsals, proper time to develop things. You don’t always get that.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-lived-in-london-before-spill-it-what-do-you-adore-and-what-drives-you-round-the-bend">You&#8217;ve lived in London before. Spill it: what do you adore, and what drives you round the bend?</h4>



<p>I lived near Broadway Market before the Olympics. I love London’s ever-changing skyline – each new tower feels like it has a proper design story. Unlike Berlin, where it’s all rather… square and practical. The only downside? The pace. Londoners always seem to be chasing something.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-got-a-rare-night-off-we-re-buying-what-s-in-your-glass">You’ve got a rare night off. We’re buying – what’s in your glass?</h4>



<p>Espresso Martinis. Plural. Otherwise I’ll be asleep by 10pm.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-after-a-couple-of-those-dance-floor-private-members-club-or-sensible-early-night"><strong>And after a couple of those… dance floor, private members’ club, or sensible early night?</strong></h4>



<p>My hardcore party days are behind me – but I’m easily persuaded. Dancefloor. Why not?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="846" height="846" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/485139233_1072085931615124_5074305403875588822_n.jpg" alt="National Portrait Gallery London" class="wp-image-118384" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/485139233_1072085931615124_5074305403875588822_n.jpg 846w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/485139233_1072085931615124_5074305403875588822_n-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/485139233_1072085931615124_5074305403875588822_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/485139233_1072085931615124_5074305403875588822_n-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 846px) 100vw, 846px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: National Portrait Gallery London</figcaption></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-perfect-london-day-off-where-are-you-heading-what-s-on-the-menu-and-who-are-you-dragging-along">Your perfect London day off – where are you heading, what’s on the menu, and who are you dragging along?</h4>



<p>National Portrait Gallery first, I could spend hours there. Then maybe Highgate Cemetery – I have a weird thing for graveyards, don’t ask – followed by a curry that’s properly spicy. And of course, a theatre show to finish.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-love-a-name-drop-who-s-your-most-famous-friend-and-what-bonds-you">We love a name-drop. Who’s your most famous friend, and what bonds you?</h4>



<p>My best friends aren’t famous – which means they still have time to see me! Some I’ve known since drama school in the Nineties. Survive that together and you’re bonded for life.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1703" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Game-of-Thrones-by-HELEN-SLOAN-©-HBO-scaled.jpg" alt="Image: Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar in Game of Thrones | Helen Sloan | HBO" class="wp-image-118388" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Game-of-Thrones-by-HELEN-SLOAN-©-HBO-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Game-of-Thrones-by-HELEN-SLOAN-©-HBO-600x399.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Game-of-Thrones-by-HELEN-SLOAN-©-HBO-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Game-of-Thrones-by-HELEN-SLOAN-©-HBO-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tom-Wlaschiha-Game-of-Thrones-by-HELEN-SLOAN-©-HBO-2048x1363.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H&#8217;ghar in Game of Thrones | Helen Sloan | HBO</figcaption></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-nbsp-game-of-thrones-nbsp-alter-ego-jaqen-h-ghar-was-full-of-secrets-give-us-one-your-fans-don-t-know">Your&nbsp;<em>Game of Thrones</em>&nbsp;alter-ego Jaqen H’ghar was full of secrets. Give us one your fans don’t know.</h4>



<p>Nice try! But here’s one: I can’t actually change faces. Sorry to disappoint.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-up-next-for-you-after-the-final-curtain-falls">What’s up next for you after the final curtain falls?</h4>



<p>A nap – sleeping is my favourite hobby. Then I’m starting a German series about Ludwig II, the “mad king” who built all those fairytale castles in Bavaria before mysteriously drowning in a lake.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quick-fire-spotify-round">Quick-fire Spotify round…</h4>



<ul>
<li><strong>The track you dance to:</strong> <em>any good house tune</em></li>



<li><strong>The track that makes you cry:</strong> <em>You take my breath away“ by Queen</em></li>



<li><strong>The track you clean to:</strong> <em>I try to avoid it where possible, but the gentle hum of a hoover can put me in a meditative state.</em></li>



<li><strong>The track reminds you of a big life moment:</strong><em> Wind of Change</em> by The Scorpions, I was 16 when the Berlin Wall fell and my whole life pretty much changed overnight. </li>



<li><strong>Your must-play funeral track:</strong> Hopefully one yet to be composed.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<p><strong><em><em>The Land of the Living</em></em></strong>&nbsp;is at the Dorfman at the National Theatre, London from 9 Sept – 1 Nov 2025. Book tickets&nbsp;<a href="https://events.nationaltheatre.org.uk/events/93567#_gl=1*sc1nur*_gcl_au*MTE0MjAwNzIxMy4xNzQ5NDY4Mjk4">her</a><a href="https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/the-land-of-the-living/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/theatre-shows-london-west-end-summer-2025/">Quick! Book these top West End theatre tickets from £15, £25 or £35</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/review-till-the-stars-come-down-theatre-royal-haymarket-london/">Review: Till The Stars Come Down at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/review-titanique-criterion-theatre-piccadilly-london/">Review: Titaníque at The Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly, London</a></li>
</ul>


From Game of Thrones to the National: Tom Wlaschiha takes the stage

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