How did you get started with acting? Have you always been drawn to it?
I was first drawn to it watching my grandparents doing church pantomimes. They also had a stash of photos of them and my mum doing panto in the 50s. I loved those photos and still have them. Then I went into amateur dramatics as a kid.
Was there anyone you looked up to as an actor or a director when you were first getting started?
I didn’t get taken to professional theatre, really, when I was growing up. So my heroes/heroines were people in the amateur shows I saw regularly. They were stars to me!
My other big influences came from TV. I loved watching any old film—especially comedies, so loved Alastair Simm, Margaret Rutherford and all those fantastic character actors in the Ealing Comedies.
You’re now starring as Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, how’s this going?
Fantastic! This show has had three outings and I’ve been in every one. It is such a great show to be involved in. Audiences love it and it is such a great romp—with a heart.
What is most challenging about bringing this script to life?
Well, we go around the world so it has to be epic in its scope—but we’re only eight actors so there is a lot of inventiveness and creativity involved. We have to create boats, trains, elephants plus myriad fights and chases etc. It’s such a high-energy show! By its nature it is very filmic. We have a terrific score by James Atherton which really gives you a sense of time and place.
Does this production bring something new to the story?
I think in its amazing theatricality it does. Audiences have to bring their imagination to the show and also at times are actually in the show. People often leave saying they feel they have been round the world.
Is Phileas Fogg like you in any way? Or different?
Haha! Well in many ways he couldn’t be more different. But that’s the amazing thing about theatre—here I am , a working class northerner playing someone from the very high end of London society.
Fogg is a very ordered man, which I certainly am not! At the beginning of the show we find he has never left England. I have travelled all over the world—especially when I was a street theatre performer—but one thing we have in common is we both like punctuality! I hate being late.
What sort of person is going to love this character?
I hope everyone! The great thing in this show is you get to see a marvellous transformation. A very closed man opens up to the marvels of the world—and even finds love.
What do you love about his character?
Well, despite his insular nature, he is very kind and decent and fair. Its also great to play him every night and see him transform through the show. İt’s a lovely character journey to play.
Is there anything you hate about the character?
Hate is a strong word! I actually don’t hate anything about him. Except that I have to wear a heavy hot Victorian costume during a very energetic show!
What’s the biggest challenge in taking on this role?
Well, Fogg is the straight man, about whom all the comedy and mayhem whirls. I love doing comedy but I have to remain calm and in control pretty much throughout. I don’t get to do any slapstick!
If you could play any other character in this show, who would it be?
Passpartout, Fogg’s manservant, is a terrific part—I’d love a bash at that, but I know I would never match the superb acrobatics and clowning of Mike Hugo, who plays him. He steals the show and deservedly so.
Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue?
Fogg has a line at the end of the show in which he thanks Passpartout for all he has done. It is quite emotional and shows the great shift in his character. I love that.
What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage/the curtain goes up?
Well, there’s usually a bit of comic banter between us all, then I try and just be calm for a second before the madness starts!
What’s your favourite play that you’ve been in so far?
This may sound like a plug, but this show! It’s been such an amazing ride because it started off as a little spring filler for The New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, and is now doing a London run and a national tour.
When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?
Having a cup of tea!
In your opinion, what makes a good actor?
You have to have a sense of play and curiosity. Be open.
What do you do when you’re not doing theatre?
I write professional pantos and Christmas shows for various theatre companies around the UK. I’m writing six this year—that keeps me very busy!
