Blues Brothers show will meet approval in Cardiff

THE feelgood show Blues Brothers (Approved) is currently keeping soul fans entertained at Cardiff's New Theatre until Saturday July 2.

Purveyors of classic soul are advised to dig out their shades, dust off their dancing shoes and to party like never before to music from the classic films including the worldwide hit Everybody Needs Somebody To Love.

For more information or to book tickets call 029 2087 8889 or visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

David Troughton Discusses Bringing Goodnight Mr Tom To The Stage

This year will mark the 35th anniversary of the modern classic Goodnight Mister Tom and next week Michelle Magorian’s wonderfully uplifting tale will be brought gloriously to life in a magical stage adaptation, in Cardiff from Tuesday May 10 – Saturday May 14 at the New Theatre.

Set during the dangerous build up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows young William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and forges a remarkable and heart-warming friendship with the elderly recluse, Tom Oakley.

Author Michelle Magorian was inspired to write Goodnight Mister Tom after hearing her mother’s tales about her time as a nurse in the war. Published in 1981, it has been translated into 11 languages and won awards in the UK, America and Australia.

Adapted for the stage by David Wood OBE, Goodnight Mr Tom stars David Troughton, best known for his roles in A Very Peculiar Practice, Doctor Who and recently Tony Archer in The Archers on BBC Radio 4. Andy Howells recently chatted to David about Goodnight Mr Tom and his career.

How did you get involved with the stage version of Goodnight Mr Tom?
I was asked to do it by Angus Jackson, the director, I thought about it, as it was a part I always wanted to play, so I said “Yes”.

How does the stage version compare to the TV film we all know and love which starred John Thaw?
Very different. Film and television are poles apart it’s a completely theatrical adaptation which is brilliant by David Wood. It’s a fast moving roller-coaster of emotions. I thought the film concentrated on Mr Tom, that’s how they did it, the stage version is about the children which is good.

How did you become familiar with the story?
When I first read it to my children in the 80s after it first came out. They had it read to them at school, so it’s been with us for a long time.

You’ve been an actor for many years yourself, were you a child actor?
I did one show when I was about eleven; it was an Armchair Theatre on ITV (The Tin Whistle Man). The scriptwriter Ken Taylor got me that and then I did a couple of things with my father (Patrick Troughton), in Doctor Who.

Did your father encourage you to be an actor?
(Laughs) No, not at all! I think you follow in your fathers footsteps a lot of the time, I think its in my genes to be an actor, two of my sons have become actors, my nephews an actor, my brothers an actor and my wife an actress.

What are your memories of appearing in Doctor Who with your father?
I was an extra in a story where he played two parts, The Doctor and a ruthless Mexican dictator (The Enemy of The World). They just found those episodes and you can see me in it. It’s a long time ago. I’ve been an actor for over 45 years I should get a medal for longevity! Playing different parts is the secret, not doing the same thing all the time.

You also returned to Doctor Who a few years later playing King Peladon opposite Jon Pertwee, what was that like?
It was lovely, he was such a welcoming man, very funny, but he took it very seriously which you have to. People take the rip out of Doctor Who sometimes but you’ve got to play it for truth.

Was there ever a role you were particularly keen to get?
When you read a script, you know you want to do the part; I really felt that with A Very Peculiar Practice (in which David starred alongside Graham Crowden and Peter Davison) and the role of Bob Buzzard. There was a lot of laughter because they were very funny scripts. As I say, you play it for all its worth and truth, it doesn’t stop you having a laugh because what’s the point of doing it unless you enjoy it.

You also had a contrasting role in New Tricks in which you played a bad guy. Was that fun to play?
Baddies are always good to play and you hope they are the most unlike you! I was termed as a character actor. You don’t get so much of that now because people cast to type, you’ve got to be the person; you’ve got to look like them. Gone are the days, like what my father did for television that you could put on a wig or a beard. People don’t do that now which is unfortunate.

And of course, even though you are very much your own actor, you have helped keep the torch burning for your fathers association with Doctor Who.
When he was doing it, it was just another children’s show, he was the first person to take over the character on screen but it wasn’t the big mammoth giant it is now.

You even stepped into your father’s role of the second Doctor opposite Tom Baker a few years ago in an audio adventure?
I did, they were a bit tentative in asking me and then I read the script, it wasn’t the actual Doctor. I was playing a robot version of him, that was alright (laughs), it was once removed. I’ve read stories that have had my father in it, so I have to imitate him a bit. I do love it, reading books, radio; you don’t have to learn the lines. I think he’d laugh at what I was doing really!

You last appeared in Doctor Who opposite David Tennant some years back, would you like to be in it again?
I’d love too!

Back on to Goodnight Mr Tom, how long are you continuing and what will you be doing afterwards?
After Cardiff, we finish at the end of May in Newcastle, I’ll have a little break and then I’ll go back to the RSC to play Gloucester in King Lear. It seems to be the year of Lear’s there’s about four of them knocking about and I’ll be in one of them!

Are there any roles you still haven’t played you’d like to have a go at?
Shakespeare-wise Falstaff or Prospero and any series that goes as long as Downton Abbey and be assured of seven months work a year and then I can retire.

• Goodnight Mr Tom runs at Cardiff’s New Theatre from May 10 –14. To purchase tickets please visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call 02920 878 889.
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appears in The South Wales Argus entertainment section The Guide on May 6, 2016

On Stage: Jacqueline Wilson's Hetty Feather, New Theatre, Cardiff

‘You can be whoever you want to be’ is the message that comes through in the musical adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson’s best selling novel Hetty Feather currently playing at Cardiff’s New Theatre.  The show follows plucky Victorian heroine, Hetty, through the trials and tribulations of her life. As a baby she was left at London’s Foundling Hospital and is now set on finding her mother, via foster families, tyrannical matrons and a travelling circus.

Of course in true Jacqueline Wilson style, there are a fair share of laughter and tears along the way with the story keeping one foot in the world of gritty realism as well as imagining the hopes and dreams of a Victorian Orphan.

Writers Emma Reeves and Sally Cookson along with composer Benji Power have breathed further magic into Jacqueline Wilson’s story book and brought Hetty’s story to life for the whole family to enjoy.

Envisaging Hetty’s dream of joining the circus, her story is related from a circus ring made up of hoops, ribbons and ropes and told through a talented team of five actors and three musicians through music, song and dance.

Phoebe Thomas heads the cast with an endearing and dynamic portrayal of Hetty, which sees the actress literally pushed from pillar to post as the action unfolds. Her co-stars similarly follow through with dynamic performances, frequently doubling up as orphans or circus characters (including a particularly Monty Python-esque circus slot as show horses).

The accompanying music provided by Luke Potter and Seamas H.Carey provides further atmosphere to the show, including a cheeky Victorian rendition of Eye of The Tiger accompanying the circus’ Strongest Man In The World routine.

The theatrical family treat for Easter, Hetty Feather continues at the New Theatre until April 3.  For further details about the show or to book tickets visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889.

On Stage: Aladdin, New Theatre, Cardiff

If you had three wishes for an ideal pantomime, they would be an all-star cast, a magical story line and stunning special effects. Cardiff New Theatre’s 2016 pantomime, Aladdin, certainly carries all these magical ingredients with possibly their biggest and best panto in recent years.

Aladdin wastes no time in getting into the action with Sam Kane’s gloriously devilish Abanazar setting out on his quest to find the chosen one and seeking the powerful magical lamp for his own. Abanazar is not only jeered and booed by the audience but also shown up for any shortcomings by the beautiful Scheherazade played by Linda Lusardi.

Returning comics Mike Doyle and Andy Jones who play Widow Twankey and Wishee Washee respectively, know how to inject further fun into the proceedings with comic dialogue, slapstick and impersonations. Doyle, is particularly at his best as the pantomime dame and even gets chance to shine a light on a hilarious Shirley Bassey impersonation. Mark Llewellyn Williams Emperor Ming gets to bring his operatic singing abilities to the forefront as well as work as occasional stooge for both Doyle and Jones.

Ian H Watkins, best known as a member of Steps, takes the lead role of Aladdin, displaying versatility as an all round entertainer, singing, dancing and acting while still been a joy to watch. Watkins also gets to sing some Steps hits including The Way You Make Me Feel, a duet with his enchanting love interest, Princess Jasmine, played  by Holly Bluett.

With the action and fun been so involved, Gareth Alfie Thomas' appearance midway through the show as The Genie of the lamp almost comes as a surprise, but a welcome one at that, as he gets a huge cheer and welcome from the audience.

Dance routines provided by a fabulous ensemble cast and the Lori Guppy School Of Dance enhance the show further, particularly a wonderful Peking Keystone Cops style pursuit of Aladdin via Widow Twankey’s Laundry. There are also some stunning special effects including Aladdin’s ride on a magic carpet to Egypt that flies right out into the audience during a musical sequence.

Aladdin has everything you could wish for in pantomime fun and is the perfect Christmas treat for the family. The show runs until January 17, 2016.

• Visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk for ticket details.

In Concert: Donovan In Concert. New Theatre, Cardiff

Few artists can command an audience for two hours sitting on a rug and performing their greatest hits on an acoustic guitar. Yet this is clearly the natural habitat for Donovan who performed to a packed house at Cardiff’s New Theatre on Monday evening.

The singer/songwriter who clocked up no less than eight Top 10 hits between 1965 to 1968 gave the audience an authentic 60s style concert.

Opening with his 1965 debut Catch the Wind, Donovan encouraged the audience to indulge in the art of “community singing” before he launched into a fabulous harmonica solo.

Songs such as Colours, Jennifer Juniper and Buffy Saint Marie's Universal Soldier were interspersed with tales about the mission that both he and fellow songwriter Gypsy Dave planned on popular culture on the beaches of Cornwall in 1963. Later, he revealed they would become victims of The Drug Squad’s first busts. There were also stories of going to India to find inspiration and enlightenment with The Beatles and how his comic song The Intergalactic Laxative was inspired by a children’s TV programme following the first moon landing.

The concert  also featured a performance of his beautiful song The Promise, which he said he will never record, making Donovan's rare live performance even more extra special.

“The idea of the 50th anniversary for me is to come out and thank you,” Donovan told his audience at the end of the evening before treating them to renditions of Sunshine Superman and Mellow Yellow. I, like many others was glad he did. Thank you Donovan for adding to life’s great soundtrack!

Tommy Steele To Star In The Glenn Miller Story - Interview

“It’s an adventure in music you won’t stop tapping to!” music legend Tommy Steele tells Andy Howells as he prepares to take to the stage in a spectacular new imagining of the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous big band leader – in The Glenn Miller Story.

Accompanied by a live 16-piece authentic Glenn Miller orchestra, as well as full supporting company of singers, dancers and actors, the story of one of the most iconic musical figures of the 20th century will be told as never before when it takes to the stage of Cardiff’s New Theatre this November.

Tommy revealed to an invited audience of press and fans in Cardiff a few weeks ago that the idea of the musical had come from one of his many suppers with Bill Kenwright who has previously produced Tommy’s musical successes Dr Dolittle and Scrooge.

Tommy Steele with Andy Howells

Britain’s first rock ‘n’ roll star, Tommy was dubbed the UK’s answer to Elvis Presley, and he gained his first UK No.1 Singing the Blues in January 1957, reaching the top spot before Elvis, who didn’t get his first chart-topper until the June of that year.

Tommy’s legendary career includes over twenty hit singles, twelve hit movies and countless award winning stage musicals including Half a Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain.

It was when discussing a particular favourite of theirs; the James Stewart box office smash The Glenn Miller Story, that Bill discovered Tommy’s adoration for Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. The seeds were sown for an exciting new musical platform for Tommy who originally saw Miller on stage back in the 1940s.

“First of all you’ve got to remember I was a kid in the blitz,” says Tommy, “the bombs were dropping everywhere and in 1942 the Americans came into the war. I was only four and all of a sudden over AFN (American Forces Network) came this music saying Glenn Miller’s coming to England, my mum and dad were thrilled! My dad took me to the Albert Hall to see him. Today all I can remember is this wonderful sound and then came the mystery of his death. Did the Germans kill him or was he assassinated?”

At the age of 78, Tommy is still one of this country’s greatest “8 shows a week” song and dance men, but insists he’s too old to play Glenn. However, both he and Bill have come up with an answer that they think will delight fans when they turn out to see the show as it tours the UK in the autumn.

Tommy is still keeping that element a surprise but is enthusiastic about the shows content. “You hear the story of this man in search of a sound,” he says, “It’s a great example of music from the swing era and it works beautifully.”

• Catch Tommy Steele in The Glenn Miller Story at Cardiff New Theatre from November 9 –14 Call Box Office: 029 2087 8889 or visit: newtheatrecardiff.co.uk for ticket details.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement on July 31, 2015.

On Stage: And Then There Were None, New Theatre, Cardiff

Big Brother isn’t such a new concept. Years before reality TV was putting B-list celebrities into enclosed spaces and jungles while analysing every characteristic, good or bad of individuals, it had already been done on the printed page.

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None even preceded George Orwell’s 1984 by a decade when it was published in 1939, showcasing the concept of an all-seeing, all-hearing eye, exposing the hidden truths of characters they would rather others didn't know about.

This current stage adaptation is a star-studded whodunit which follows ten individuals that are lured to a secluded island by a mystery host. After their individual murderous secrets exposed, they are then eliminated one by one by persons unknown in accordance with the poem Ten Little Soldiers.

Featuring the acting talents of Paul Nicholas, Colin Buchanan, Susan Penhaligon, Frazer Hines, Mark Curry, Verity Rushworth, Ben Nealon and Eric Carte, watching the play is like experiencing a classic film brought to life on the stage. The producers have elected to keep the tale close to the author’s original intentions by having the characters trapped on a remote island during the 1930s time period, giving the tale a very authentic feel.

The audience, escaping the onslaught of a heat wave outside Cardiff’s New Theatre on Tuesday evening still found themselves in a cool environment but feeling the heat of the excitement as the drama unfolded. Whoops and screams from the audience occurred as the set went dark and a gun shot was released on stage.

Whodunit? I’m not spoiling the fun! I can only say my first Agatha Christie experience was an absolute delight to savour! Don’t miss this chance whatever age you may be to experience And Then There Were None. The production continues at The New Theatre until Saturday. 

• Read Andy Howells' interview with Frazer Hines

Doctor Who Star Frazer Hines Treads The Boards In Agatha Christie Classic

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Agatha Christie Theatre Company, And Then There Were None returns to Cardiff's New Theatre stage next week.

Adapted for the stage by Agatha Christie herself, the play is based on the best-selling mystery novel of all time and follows the story of ten strangers who arrive on a remote island off the coast of Devon only to find that their host, an eccentric millionaire, is missing. A torrential storm forces them to remain on the island and, with an ancient nursery rhyme haunting them, the guests start to die one by one.

And Then There Were None features an all-star cast of familiar faces from the world of television including Paul Nicholas (Just Good Friends), Colin Buchanan (Dalziel and Pascoe), Susan Penhaligon (Bouquet of Barbed Wire), Verity Rushworth (Emmerdale), Mark Curry (Blue Peter), Ben Nealon (Soldier Soldier) and Frazer Hines, known for his regular roles in Doctor Who and Emmerdale Farm.

Andy Howells recently caught up with Frazer and chatted with him about the show and his career which began as a young boy back in the 1950s.

How has the tour of And Then There Were None been received so far?
We’re packing them out, they love Agatha Christie! Bill Kenwright has got together a fantastic cast of people that if you don’t like Paul Nicholas, you might like me, if you don’t like me you might like Mark Curry or Susan Penhaligon, there’s always someone to like in the cast!

It’s like a who’s who of great British actors.
You’re correct, well-known and even if I say it myself, well-loved faces!

When was your earliest theatrical performance?
I started off in television, because in those days you had to be 12 to actually do theatre. I played Napoleon in Huntingtower and then Shaun Sutton who was head of children’s television at the BBC then gave me the part that got me known which was Jan in The Silver Sword. My first theatre was at the Royal Court Theatre with Dame Peggy Ashcroft and George Devine in The Good Woman of Setzuan, I found a programme, Peter Wyngarde, John Osborne and Colin Jeavons were all in it and the programme was sixpence! It was an amazing cast!

Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines in
Doctor Who from 1968

What lead you to joining the cast of Doctor Who?
I’d worked with Shaun Sutton so many times as a little boy and then this part of Jamie came up. I got this phone call from my agent who asked me to go and see the producer Innes Lloyd. He said “Frazer, Shaun (Sutton) tells me you can do a Scottish accent.” I said “Yes I can”. He said “This is a part in Doctor Who, Do you fancy playing Jamie?” and I said “Yes”, that was it, no reading, no audition, I just met Innes Lloyd and that was it. The second episode went out and the BBC switchboard was jammed with people saying “wouldn’t it be a good idea if Jamie was to become a companion?” and that lead to three of the happiest years of my life, starring with dear Patrick Troughton.

It’s still a big part of your life, what was it like for you when the recent missing episodes The Web of Fear and The Enemy of the World were recovered?
Fantastic! The fans were more excited about the recovery of those two missing stories than the 50th anniversary episode! They were clamoring for more so hopefully they will find more! The BBC paid me for an interview for a release for The Underwater Menace, which they also did with Anneke Wills and Catherine Howe. I don’t know why but they’ve shelved that at the moment, the BBC doesn’t usually pay you and not use you!

It must be strange for you because all this happened over forty years ago!
When the episodes are found I go to America once or twice a year and the lovely thing is it’s renewed again in people’s interests, you sign peoples DVD covers and stuff like that.

Of course, you were also well known for your role as Joe Sugden in Emmerdale Farm
I was there for eleven years, then got married and left for four, then I got divorced and my mother died and then Sheila Mercier my screen mother (Annie Sugden) called and said “My dear, you’re not having a lot of luck why don’t you come back to your screen family”.
It got me a different sort of fan base because Doctor Who fandom had dropped off by then so Joe resurrected it. When I left Emmerdale I went into The Two Doctors (with Colin Baker and Patrick Troughton). I’d done The Five Doctors (for Doctor Who’s 20th anniversary) and Doctor Who Producer John Nathan Turner asked “It was so good to see you in The Five Doctors, would you do any more?” I said “I’d jump at it!” I then did The Two Doctors which got me to the new audience who had been watching since Jon Pertwee onwards who had never seen the classic stuff so I was put on the ladder of fandom again.

You’re going to be in Cardiff with And Then There Were None, will there be an opportunity for you to pop in on the Doctor Who set?
I’d like to. I got an email today saying “We’ll keep you posted Frazer, we’d love to have you on the set,” I’d love to, because Janet Fielding (Tegan) met David Tennant, Anneke Wills met Matt Smith and I’d like to meet Peter Capaldi!

Frazer Hines today

If there was a chance Jamie could briefly return to Doctor Who, would you be up for that?
Of course! I’d do it for nothing!

So tell us about your role in And Then There Were None?
I’m playing Rogers The Butler. I won’t say the butler did it, it’s a bit of a cockney part, maybe how Bill Hartnell (the original Doctor Who) might have played it with light trousers, black jacket, it’s a nice character part for me.
I played a lovely character part recently in Outlander. It’s written by Diana Gabaldon who saw me in the Doctor Who story The War Games and wrote a story about a woman who in 1946 falls into a fairy ring and goes back to 1746 and meets somebody called Jamie Fraser. I play a character called Sir Fletcher Gordon the governor of Wentworth prison and that went out on Amazon Prime a few Saturdays ago. Catriona Balfe and Sam Heughan are fantastic in it, great actors. Tobias Menzies who plays the villain in it Frank Randall, I feel would make a great Master in Doctor Who.

And of course you’re still involved with Doctor Who by appearing in new audio dramas?
I do them for Big Finish and yes I do Patrick’s voice as well as Jamie, I go from one voice to another in a scene, I love it, its great fun to do and I get to keep Patrick’s memory alive for all the fans.

What other projects have you got lined up?
I’ve got a TV production company called Snowball Productions and we’ve got a comedy series written by a lovely actress called Rachel Warren called Totty. When I finish this play I’ve got a six part black comedy series called It’s Behind You. I’ve then got to have a shoulder operation, so while my arm is in a sling I’ll be putting my producer’s hat on and trying to get that put together as well.
There’s also a couple of movies which I should have done last year, written by Tony Lee, they are called The Mild Bunch and Scrum Like It Hot, they’ve been put on the back-burner, but hopefully I’ll be doing those next year.

You still enjoy your work?
I still enjoy working, I think you have to m very fortunate in that I’ve never had to work for the money, I’ve always enjoyed stuff that I’ve done I don’t think id like to retire.

What would you say has been your career highlight?
Getting the part of Jamie which gave me three happy years with Patrick and its taken me all over the world to New Zealand, Canada and Australia, I guess that would have to be number one. I played a psychopathic killer in a Granada TV series called The Villains that would come second!

How would you describe this production of And Then There Were None to anyone who was thinking of coming to see it?
I would say come and see a great cast of your favourite TV faces gelling together and making a great show.

• And Then There Were None is at The New Theatre, Cardiff from Tuesday June 30 – Saturday July 4. Tickets are on sale now from £9.50 to £30.50. For further details about the show or to book tickets* visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889. 
• A shorter version of this interview by Andy Howells appear in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on June 26, 2015. Read the e-edition here.
• Visit Frazer Hines official blog

What Ho! Comedy Star Chris Ryan Discusses Jeeves & Wooster On Stage

After conquering the West End, including a 2014 Olivier Award for Best Comedy, PG Wodehouse’s iconic pairing Jeeves & Wooster bring their trademark humour to Cardiff’s New Theatre this week.
Adapted from Wodehouse’s works, Perfect Nonsense is a wonderful new play with a hilarious cast. Edward Hancock plays the effervescent Wooster while narrating this outrageous tale as Jeeves is Jason Thorpe who also has to run around building the set and enacting all the other characters.
Helping Jeeves bring the characters to life is fellow butler Seppings, played by Chris Ryan, perhaps best remembered by a generation of comedy fans for his appearances in TV’s The Young Ones, Bottom and Absolutely Fabulous.
Andy Howells recently chatted with the actor about his career and of course Perfect Nonsense.

Were you a fan of PG Wodehouse?
I’m not an aficionado or anything but I did read The Blandings and Lord Emsworth, things like that. As for Jeeves & Wooster, I do remember watching Ian Carmichael and Dennis Price in the 60s. Obviously these days most people remember Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie but I thought Ian Carmichael and Dennis Price were very good to.

How have you found playing Seppings in the touring version of Perfect Nonsense?
It involves for me so much energy and concentration so each show is totally energised, committed and concentrated. Its not enjoyment so much in the sense of going out there  and having fun but if the audience are having fun that gives me satisfaction in that its working.

Do you prefer working on stage or television?
I feel more comfortable and at home in the theatre. I never feel particularly comfortable doing film and television they are such technical mediums. In the theatre, you get the immediate response you’re on the tightrope because you can’t say “Cut! We’ll do it again,” you keep going. You start at the beginning go through the middle then to the end and do it night after night so you can refine, change and develop things. When I started in theatre I didn't think about television or things like that. I did repertory theatre through the 70s and my first television was in 1978, a non-speaking part in the Patrick Mower series Target and then other bits and pieces.

Was it true you were an original member of The Flying Pickets?
That’s interesting because in 1980, I was in a political left-wing company called 7:84 by John McGrath and we’d done a play by John Burrows called One Big Blow which was all men and about a group of miners who were also a brass band. We did everything vocally, harmonies and sing all types of pop stuff from all periods and we’d travel from place to place as the band.
Then we did one gig at the Albany Empire but that was the only one I did. We called ourselves tentatively The Flying Pickets. I think it might have been Brian Hibbard who thought of that, he was a wonderful actor who had that Welsh darkness. He was like a piece of coal in a way it was extraordinary the quality he had.
We did that at the Albany Empire and then I was asked to do the play Can’t Pay Won’t Pay.  They revived One Big Blow and then from that they obviously developed it and went on. I can’t claim to be a Flying Picket, I was probably in the prototype but id left the company by then.

How did you come by your part of Mike in the TV comedy The Young Ones?
I was doing a play at the Criterion Theatre called Cant Pay Wont Pay which was a Dario Fo political farce. I was in the play with an actress called Maggie Steed whose partner at the time was Andy De La Tour, he was part of that group and I think he suggested me.
They were looking for someone to play this character (Mike, the cool person). It was only after it was all over and done with that I discovered that originally it was going to be Peter Richardson, who was the comedy partner of Nigel Planer. I went along to the BBC and met Paul Jackson who was producing and directing and read with Nigel and Rik Mayall. I don’t think Ade Edmondson was there on that particular day, I did some little improvisation things. This was all in order to do a pilot which we did and that pilot became the first episode. Then it was commissioned for a series and then another. We only did twelve episodes, six in 1982 and six in 1984.
Subsequently from that, we did Waiting for Godot in the West End with Philip Jackson playing Pozzo. I played Lucky and Rik and Ade played Vladimir and Estragon and then they asked if I could play Hedgehog in Bottom. By then, Ade had married Jennifer Saunders who wrote Absolutely Fabulous, she wrote this character called Marshall for me who was one of her ex husbands. Its funny how these things relate.

You also have the distinction of appearing as aliens in the classic and new series of Doctor Who. Did you find it a challenge to act through prosthetics?
Somebody said that to me and I didn't realise that. I know there are many people who know everything about it.  That was three and half hours getting all that stuff on with very heavy costume as well. That was another "something else" wasn't it? Very hard work again acting your way through the costume and the make up and everything to show the character.

Would you like to return to Doctor Who in the future?
If they asked me! They've done more with Sontaran's but haven’t asked me but that’s fine because other people get a chance. If they asked again, I'd certainly think about it. I know the score now, with the make up and the rest of it.

So back to Jeeves & Wooster, how would you describe the show to people planning to come and see it?
It’s universal, timeless and fun. The response we've had through the tour has been very enthusiastic, especially at the end of the show. Hopefully they’ll get a taste for Wodehouse and it may prompt them to read the books.

• Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense is at the New Theatre until Saturday 13 June. Tickets are on sale now with prices ranging from £11.00 to £33.00. For further details about the show or to book tickets* visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889. 
• A shorter version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on June 5, 2015. Read the e-edition here.

On Stage: Bruce Forsyth Entertains, Cardiff New Theatre

There’s still a huge demand for one-off performances as Sir Bruce Forsyth proved on Monday evening as he played his one-man show for one night only at Cardiff’s New Theatre.

From the moment Sir Bruce stepped onto the stage with musical accompaniment from the Dave Arch Orchestra the audience was his. “I've done shows where they closed with the opening number,” he joked, before commenting it was 32 years since he had last performed in Cardiff, “I was there!” shouted a member of the audience, “ I remember you, you were a nuisance!” Bruce replied, the audience laughed. Bruce was in charge!

Featuring a combination of song, dance, jokes and impressions, interspersed with comic interplay with Dave Arch and the orchestra, the real key to the shows success was Bruce interacting with audience members. This was utilised to full effect when he recreated a dance routine from the musical Top Hat by enlisting help from four random audience members. In true Generation Game style they consisted of a coffee shop owner, a quality engineer, a psychiatric nurse and a bin-man, the latter constantly reminding Bruce that he’d seen him in pantomime back in 1963. “I wish I was there now,” said Bruce after the dance routine began to comically fall apart.

The two hour show brought back many fun memories of Bruce’s many decades in show business. Rounding off the show with an audience Q&A he commented “When you've got an audience that lifts you up so much it makes it all worthwhile.” A voice from the audience shouted “You’re a legend Bruce” and the audience applause echoed the sentiment wholeheartedly. We had indeed been watching a show business legend – Mr Entertainment himself. Didn't he do well?

• A shortened version of this review by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus on April 29, 2015.
• Andy Howells Interview With Sir Bruce Forsyth

Peter Pan Goes Wrong At Cardiff's New Theatre - Jonathan Sayer Interview

“There’s lots of slapstick comedy, with a nice narrative underneath it about the politics of the actors playing the parts” writer Jonathan Sayer tells Andy Howells about Mischief Theatre’s fun family show Peter Pan Goes Wrong which visits Cardiff’s New Theatre next week.

Mischief Theatre’s first show, The Play That Goes Wrong, played at the New Theatre in February 2014, and is now performing to packed houses in the West End. Having capped off their success with a Best New Comedy nomination at the 2015 Oliver Awards, they make their return to Wales after only a year to delight audiences young and old once more.

This time, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on their version of Peter Pan but things don’t go very well. In fact, everything that could go wrong does! The journey to Neverland is a thrilling one but, for these accident-prone thespians, the thrills are unintentional and hilariously disastrous. “Its exactly the same as The Play That Went Wrong except bolder and braver with Peter Pan flying into the walls,” says Jonathan who co-wrote the show with Henry Lewis and Henry Shields.

Jonathan explains “One of our writers worked with Michael Green who wrote The Art of Coarse Acting which is a book on how to be a bad actor, he also wrote a few coarse plays which are plays in which things go wrong. All three of us fell in love with them and we thought it would be great to write something along the lines of that. but with our humour and voice coming through. I’m a huge fan of silent comedies, of Chaplin and Keaton, Laurel & Hardy so there’s a lot of those jokes re-imagined and put on stage along with new jokes of that ilk, big bold physical gags that make people laugh”

“The thing I love about the show is you can take kids to see it and its suitable, there’s a great universal appeal to it,” says Jonathan, “it will make you gasp as well as laugh, there’s a great story in there as well and you’ll go home laughing a lot with maybe a little tear in your eye at the end.”

• Peter Pan Goes Wrong is at the New Theatre from Tuesday 28 April – Saturday 2 May 2015. Tickets are on sale now with prices from £10.00 to £28.50. For further details about the show or to book tickets* visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on April 24, 2015

Sir Bruce Forsyth To Perform One-Man Show At The New Theatre, Cardiff - Interview

Sir Bruce Forsyth, one of the nation’s most famous and adored entertainers, will step on to the New Theatre stage on April 27 for a rare must-see performance.

Performing prior to an appearance at the London Palladium, Bruce will be entertaining the audience in the way that only he can! Alongside Dave Arch (musical director of Strictly Come Dancing) and the country’s finest musicians, the star will present an evening of singing, dancing, comedy and audience interaction.

Bruce Forsyth’s successful career has spanned over seventy years, with hit shows like Sunday Night at The London Palladium, The Generation Game and, more recently, as a host on Strictly Come Dancing.

Now he swaps the television cameras for the New Theatre stage in a special one-night-only performance. Andy Howells recently chatted with the legendary performer.

The Generation Game was a mainstay of Saturday evening TV back in the 1970s along with Morecambe and Wise, The Two Ronnies and Doctor Who. What was it like to have a successful show in that era?
To me it was a lovely show business, a period of top ratings and shows like Eric & Ernie and The Duchess of Duke Street all on before The Generation Game and finishing up with Parkinson and Match of The Day, it was a whole evening of varied entertainment. Not shows that take two hours, It's just too much and they're doing it in The States now, we've just got back from Puerto Rico and they're stringing things out. Of course, they're making them long because they've got nothing else to put on. We had all these shows that all followed one another; it was a variety of programmes. You could sit there all evening and watch different shows for different moods and different feelings and it all worked. I'm pleased I've got the memories of them.

You've  given millions of television viewers so many great memories over the years too.
All my career I've been lucky, if there’s a secret to my longevity is that children have grown up with me, even if they grew to hate me later on in life (laughs). They knew me from the start, even people who watched me on The Palladium when they were 10 years old, you go on 50 years and they've grown up with me. Even with Strictly now, kids come up to me with their mothers and fathers and want autographs. I've put that down to luck of been in programmes suitable for children. I'm like Uncle Bruce!

Can you tell us more about your forthcoming show at Cardiff’s New Theatre?
It’s more or less the show I've done everywhere. I've even done it at Glastonbury. People were phoning me up and saying "Bruce is that right you're going to Glastonbury? What are you going to do there?” I said "I'm going to do what I've always done. Sing, dance, play the piano and involve the audience with a few things. I do impressions, all the things I've done all my life, I'm a family entertainer.” I must say I was very scared, how would a young crowd who go there to see all these pop stars react? I think it was the most wonderful feeling I've ever had to be able to perform for these younger people. Forgetting that they'd all grown up with me, I went on there wondering what it would be like; it was very emotional for me afterwards.

One of the favourite things I saw you do on television was a TV special with Sammy Davis Jr.
The best thing I ever did on television was the hour with Sammy Davis Jr. We did all the things that we do, we sang together and danced together. I played piano for him when he sang and he did a whole comedy routine with instruments when I tried to sing.  We did impressions together. I wish we'd been able to do more; he was starting to feel a bit ill when we did it. I'm sorry we didn't manage to do a couple of more specials in that time. I don't think there was anyone else I could have done it with apart from Roy Castle. We were genuinely all-round performers. That term is used very loosely now.

What has been your career highlight?
Apart from the Sammy Davis Jr special, it would be doing my one-man show for the first time at The Palladium because a lot of people said I was wrong doing it at a London Theatre. They had Cats on and I was doing odd nights there. I went touring and then brought it to the New London Theatre and then the Palladium. That means more to me than any other place and to do it as an all-round performer completely on my own with just an orchestra backing me was a very big thrill.

How are you feeling now?
I've just got back from Puerto Rico which I go to every year for three months so I've had a lovely rest from all the cold miserable damp weather you have here in January, February and March. I'm back now and feel my batteries have recharged and I'm ready to have a go again.

• Bruce Forsyth Entertains is at the New Theatre on Monday 27 April.  Tickets are on sale now with prices from £28.00 to £40.00. For further details about the show or to book tickets* visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk  or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on April 24, 2015.

On Stage: Return To The Forbidden Planet, New Theatre, Cardiff

It’s easy to see why the Olivier Award winning Return to the Forbidden Planet has remained so popular this last quarter of a century.

A fusion of Sci-Fi comic strip, classic rock n roll and a dose of William Shakespeare for good measure, Return to the Forbidden Planet is simply a must-see for any purveyor of baby boomer pop culture. All the ingredients of a classic adventure are here, a journey into space, a crash-landing on an alien planet and a mad scientist as well as robots and aliens. Throw in a live soundtrack of songs popularised by The Animals, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Moody Blues and you have a night of great fun.

Queen’s Brian May appears on a big screen to narrate the proceedings but undoubtedly the stars of the show are the talented team of musician actors who make up the ships crew. Among the highlights are Sean Needham’s pipe smoking hero Captain Tempest, Sarah Scowen’s 50s style heroine Miranda, Jonathan Markwood’s Edwardian stylised eccentric Dr Prospero, Joseph Mann’s robotic Ariel and Christine Holman’s femme fatale Science Officer.

The real stand out however is Mark Newnham’s Cookie who gets to shine with a comic style akin to Jerry Lewis as well as deliver a fabulous guitar solo during his rendition of The Zombies She’s Not There.

Return To The Forbidden Planet also has several surreal moments usually professionally handled by the comic timing and musical professionalism of the ensemble cast. Closing the first half of the show to Them’s Gloria while the cast's space-ship is under attack from an alien's giant tentacles is undoubtedly a theatrical moment to savor. I’ll never listen to Gloria in quite the same way again!

Return to the Forbidden Planet continues at Cardiff's New Theatre until Saturday April 25, 2015.

• A version of this review by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus on April 23, 2015
• Return To The Forbidden Planet UK tour website
• Andy Howells Interview With Return To The Forbidden Planet's Mark Newnham

Out Of This World Fun As Forbidden Planet Musical Comes To Cardiff - Mark Newnham Interview

The adored and critically acclaimed Olivier Award winning Sci-Fi rock spectacular Return to the Forbidden Planet comes to Cardiff New Theatre on its 25th Anniversary Tour this week.

Inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest and packed with rock 'n' roll classics such as I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Young Girl and Good Vibrations the show features stunning special effects and a brilliant cast of actor musicians.

"Its fun, lively and it'll make you laugh" says Mark Newnham who plays Cookie in the show, "If you're a fan of rock'n'roll you’ll just go absolutely nuts for the music and great Sci-Fi effects as well, it’s a great night out."

Mark describes his character as a "love-lorn low status character" that has parallels with Cinderella's Buttons. "He falls in love with Miranda who is the love interest when we crash-land on Prospero's planet," he says, "She doesn’t love him back and falls in love with the Captain of the ship, the character gets a lot of empathy from the audience."

Mark who is an accomplished musician will be performing a rendition of a 60s classic in the show. "My big number is She Not There by The Zombies. We put a little twist on it because this is the point in the story when Cookie realises Miranda has fallen for the captain and not him. He does this anxious version which has a big four minute long guitar solo in it."

Mark who also played a Young John Lennon in the musical Lennon at Liverpool's Royal Court is a big 1960s fan and is currently relishing his role in the musical, "To play guitar, sing, make people laugh and speak some wonderful Shakespeare verse - it’s a dream job!"

• Return to the Forbidden Planet runs at Cardiff's New Theatre between Monday April 20 - 25. Visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk for details.
• A version of this article by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on April 17, 2015. Read the e-edition here.

On Stage: Godspell UK Tour 2015, New Theatre, Cardiff

As I traveled to Cardiff’s New Theatre on Friday evening, I pondered how a full blown concert revival version of Godspell could work. Yes, we have all those wonderful songs composed by Stephen Schwartz including Prepare Ye, Day By Day and Light of the World, but could they still stand up with a new presentation and arrangement some 45 years after their Broadway debut?

With musical direction from Russell Scott, company cast members followed a dynamic prologue from actress Dominique Planter with a performance of  Tower Of Babble accompanied by rhythmical bleeps of mobile phones. From that moment on the talented cast gelled to perfection.

The energy, enthusiasm and delivery were spot on as Andy Abraham as John the Baptist performed Prepare Ye, before Tom Senior captivated the audience as Jesus with his rendition of Save the People.

Newport’s own Centrestage Cymru made their New Theatre debut as a walking choir and provided stellar support to Leanne Jarvis pitch-perfect performance of Day By Day, while the show's static choir Rechoir provided further emphasis on the shows big numbers with professionalism.

South Wales own Laura Mansell gave a wonderful soulful rendition of Bless the Lord and there was a further treat at the beginning of the second act when Laura collaborated with Andy, Leanne and Jennifer Potts for a music Jam.

Special mention must also go to Maeve Byrne, Mitch Miller, Jason Broderick and Robert Hannouch, all musical bright lights who added further magic to the show and are sure-fire ones to watch in the future!

My one hope is that this exciting interpretation of the music of Godspell is recorded for posterity before the tour ends; I would certainly love to enjoy every moment all over again.

• Godspell continues at Cardiff New Theatre until April 18 2015, check the New Theatre website for ticket availability.
• Check out the Official Godspell UK Tour website for further tour dates. 
• Centrestage Cymru Thrilled To Join Godspell Show at Cardiff New Theatre

Centrestage Cymru Thrilled To Join Godspell Show At Cardiff New Theatre

Godspell, the legendary rock musical from Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Wicked, returns to Cardiff’s New Theatre this week.

Following the critically acclaimed sell-out success in London's West End, the show is returning to the UK in a one-of-a-kind production, with a brand new, modern day rock score that features Light of the World, All Good Gifts and Day by Day.

The production features Andy Abraham, Tom Senior and Leanne Jarvis while supporting the stars as a walking choir will be Newport based company CentreStage Cymru, The last three years have seen this fresh, vibrant society go from strength to strength, receiving plaudits from all those who have seen them perform.

Since their first successful concert in 2012, the company has gone from strength to strength bringing premier performances to the Dolman such as Whistle Down the Wind and White Christmas among others, and are at present in rehearsals for their next fabulous production The Addams Family.

Following national auditions earlier this year, the company were chosen to perform in the Cardiff dates of the national tour of Godspell the Broadway Revival. The company were absolutely delighted and thrilled to have been chosen from hundreds of groups across the UK. “I saw a post on Facebook asking for choirs to apply for the Cardiff auditions and applied,” says Centrestage Cymru's Sharon Higgins, “We got through to the auditions and had to audition in front of two of the producers Russell Scott and Mark Pettitt. We had to wait until the next day to find out if we got through. We had an anxious wait to see if our picture was put on the Godspell UK tour website. We were so proud and excited when we did!”

Although only given 6 weeks to learn the completely new score, movement from video clips, and rehearsing for The Addams Family at the same time the company pulled out all the stops to deliver a professional performance that they have become renown for and are proud to have put the much talented Newport amateur scene on the map in a professional production.

Sharon says the orchestration of Godspell which will be presented at Cardiff’s New Theatre from Friday “differs from the original giving it a new gutsy rock feel.”

“We can't wait to work with the main cast and orchestra,” continues Sharon, “A few of us went to the press night when the show opened at the Hackney Empire, London. The atmosphere was electric. The lights and sound of the band is amazing and the principal line up is awesome! For the people from CSC that are involved it has been hard work as we are also rehearsing The Addams Family, but it will be such a memorable experience."

• Godspell in Concert plays at Cardiff’s New Theatre from Friday 17 - Saturday 18 April. Visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk for ticket information.
• For more information on Centrestage Cymru visit their official website
• A version of this article by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment section The Guide on April 10, 2015

Experiencing Monty Python's Spamalot On And Off The Stage

Ten seconds in a musical is a long time. I’m not talking about the actual performance of an individual performer but all the components that go together to make that performance. The preparation of the cast, crew and musicians, from wardrobe dressing to rehearsal, every prop, player and performer plays a part in bringing a script to life.

All kitted out like a
Monty Python extra...

My invitation to join the cast of Monty Python’s Spamalot as Sir Not-Appearing at Cardiff New Theatre last week for all of ten seconds took some 90 minutes of rehearsal and preparation, and I was all but a small cog in the wheel of a big show.

Well not quite, I mustn't demean anything about Monty Python’s Spamalot not even my carefully crafted walk on. “It gets a big laugh!” encouraged Joe Pasquale when I interviewed him recently,” You've got to do it! You’ll love it!”

Stage manager Phil Sykes confirms this on the night as we sit in his office at The New Theatre, “It’s a small role but it gets a big laugh, so are you up for it?” I don’t hesitate in my response, “Definitely!”

So it’s off to wardrobe to get measured up for my knights’ costume. “Well its a choice of small medium or large,” wardrobe master Iwan Harries tells me as he helps me buckle in to my costume, “How on earth did real Knights cope,” I wonder  before catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I look like an extra from a Monty Python sketch in my knights costume and spectacles. Probably because I am.

Then it’s down three flights of stairs to the stage for my rehearsal, bumping into Joe Pasquale along on the way who greets me with a warm handshake. The cast are going through warm up movements while the band are tuning up at the back of the stage. To the side the technicians are running through their final preparations.  I sit in the sidelines for five minutes watching the production come together noticing Joe Pasquale and Todd Carty discussing a final adjustment to a comedy routine.

Phil Sykes reappears and leads me onto the stage, “This is Andy, from the South Wales…”

“...Argus,” I interject.

Wired for sound...

“That’s right; he will play Sir Not-Appearing tonight!” The cast give me a hearty cheer. I get a further greeting from Joe and Todd and then we go through my quick rehearsal which involves the Knight before me arriving on stage at very last minute following a quick change from another role that finishes seconds before. I must wait for him, but not miss my cue.

So the narrator’s announcement comes, “The wise Sir Bedevere was the first to join King Arthur’s knights, but other illustrious names were soon to follow: Sir Lancelot the Brave; Sir Galahad the Pure; and Sir Robin the Not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot who had nearly fought the Dragon of Agnnor, who had nearly stood up to the vicious Chicken of Bristol and who had personally wet himself at the Battle of Badon Hill; and the aptly named Sir Not-Appearing…”  I walk on to join the knights and they all look at me like I'm not supposed to be there. I'm not so I apologise and walk off.

“Perfect!” says Phil. So, I go back up to wardrobe to wait, sampling a piece of chocolate cake, kindly given to me by a member of the cast.

Ten minutes before curtain up I'm back in the wings. There’s one final touch as Jade the wigs mistress fits me up with a false moustache and beard. The show begins and I can hear the laughter of the audience as I see the cast members play their parts. Seeing the clockwork precision of each piece come together at the side of the stage is both exciting and fascinating.

Final resting place of
my costume...

Then, my moment approaches, Joe Pasquale in his full King Arthur regalia steps off stage and strolls over to me. “You alright?” he asks, “Yes thanks,” I reply. “Good,” he smiles, “watch your ‘tache doesn’t fall off!” I feel for my false moustache, fitted some 15 minutes before, its half hanging off!  As I smooth it back on another actor tells me how problematic they can be, but not to worry. Then Todd Carty, in his Patsy costume steps over “Just enjoy it,” he beams, before clopping back onto the stage.

“We’re up next,” says a fellow Knight and before I know it, I’m in the queue with the knight before me joining us at a furious pace just as the first knight marches on the stage. Then, as my name is spoken, I get a cheer from the audience as I walk on stage. It doesn’t last long, I meet the fixed glares of the cast and I apologise and make a quick exit just as I did in rehearsal.

I don’t remember it but I’m told it got a big laugh. I guess I got caught up in all the excitement. Andy Warhol was wrong when he said everyone’s famous for 15 minutes, I didn't get 15 seconds but I did get a big laugh and a personal experience of a lifetime. Appearing in Spamalot for ten seconds was indeed great fun just as much as I enjoyed watching it in the second half and all down to the marvelous cast and crew that made me feel so welcome.

• A version of this article by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on March 13, 2015.
• For the latest news on the Monty Python' Spamalot tour visit the official website
• Joe Pasquale Talks To Andy Howells about Monty Python's Spamalot

Joe Pasquale Discusses Monty Python Musical Spamalot

Monty Python’s Spamalot gallops to Cardiff in March as part of its 2015 UK tour featuring comedian Joe Pasquale reprising his much loved role of King Arthur alongside Todd Carty as Patsy.

Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is a kind-of new musical with a book by Eric Idle and an entirely new score for the new production, (well, almost) created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.

Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features fantastic tunes more magical than a Camelot convention, including He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

Ahead of the show’s forthcoming visit to Cardiff's New Theatre, Andy Howells recently chatted to Joe Pasquale.

Can you tell us about the role you’re playing in Spamalot?
I'm playing King Arthur which is one of the best things I've ever done. I love the part and I love the show.  I grew up watching Monty Python so it’s my generation!

How did you get into comedy originally?
I was always such a fan growing up and watching comedy on the telly, Tommy Cooper, Norman Wisdom, Eric and Ernie, Bob Monkhouse, were all great comics I grew up with. Then when I got the chance to go out on stage I was never scared, it was just a case of showing off. I had two older sisters and a younger brother, I was the one in the middle who had to find his own entertainment and I think that had a bearing on trying to get noticed.

When you got into comedy and started getting noticed what that like was for you?
I only ever wanted to get up on stage, I never thought of it as a long-term career or making money from it, it was just a way of showing off  and that’s what you do on stage - show off!
When it came together I started enjoying it more than I thought I would. Then it becomes your job and you have mortgage payments and things like that. It becomes more than a job and you've got to keep working. There's pressure as well, not a pressure to be funny but a pressure to find work. I had a great friend and mentor in Bob Monkhouse. He helped me out a lot in the early days and in particular my first appearance on the Royal Variety Show, he just looked after me all the time - a genius and a gentleman.

You enjoy your work?
I love what I do, to go out and do an Eric Idle script any comic of any generation these days would give their right arm to do this show. Its two hours of non-stop laughter.

What’s Todd Carty like to work with?
I love working with Todd, he’s deaf as a post in one ear so I have to make sure I'm on the right side of him when I talk to him. We’d both done the show before but not together, it’s lovely because we’ve formed a little partnership in the show. I do most of the talking between the two of us as he only has about eight lines but he makes every single one count. I can’t look at his eyes on stage without starting to laugh.

How would you sum up Spamalot?
Its just funny. It hasn’t dated, it changes on a nightly basis depending on whose in the news and what situation were in. Everything is carved and created around where we are. Its always bang up to date on topical stuff as well.

How long are you carrying on with Spamalot for?
Its open ended at the moment so who knows?

Have you got any other projects lined up for this year?
I’m going back on the road for a stand up tour in August but anything after that I’m not quite sure yet. I enjoy my acting but I like to keep my hand in with stand up as well.

Do you prefer that to TV work?
No, I don’t do anything for too long I don’t do much telly, stand up or stage work, I do a bit of voice over work. Its an eclectic career I have which was more by accident than design and I’m lucky enough to do a job that I love so I never get stuck  in anything for too long.

• Spamalot plays Cardiff New Theatre from March 2 to 7. Visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call box office on 029 2087 8889 for ticket details.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on February 20, 2015

Sam Kane Talks About Dual Role In Cinderella Show

Andy Howells meets Sam Kane

Andy Howells chats to Sam Kane who is currently directing and starring in the pantomime Cinderella at The New Theatre, Cardiff.

Actor Sam Kane is having a busy pantomime season. Not only is he currently starring as an Ugly Sister in Cinderella at Cardiff New Theatre but he’s also directing the production as well. “Its the first time I'm in that dual role,” Sam tells me,“ in fact I made my directional debut at The New Theatre in the millennium year with Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs .” 

“Its weird this year. As I have to pay a bit more attention to myself than I normally do, because I'm a joker and a comic anyway. I was actually down to play Buttons this year but you know what?  I kind of fancy been next to my best mate in a frock, I love it!” 

When Sam refers to his “best mate in a frock”, he is of course talking about his wife, the actress, Linda Lusardi who plays The Fairy Godmother. The pair met in pantomime at Darlington 20 years ago and have since married and had two children. “I was the handsome prince that year and she was Snow White. Its a fairy-tale. 20 years and its still going on we are blissfully married and have two amazing kids, its just an odd job to be in for normal people!” 

Sam who hails from Liverpool has always had show-business in his blood,” I always wanted to be a performer,” he says, “I wanted to be a singer when I was a kid and I was into pop music. I suppose I was extrovert without knowing it. I had a lot of brothers,  I had to be heard so was always in front of an audience, anyway I finished school went to a college, went to a drama school and knew that’s what I wanted to be. 

On stage Sam has starred in musicals such as South Pacific and Seven Brides and Seven Brothers while on television there was a regular role as lovable hairdresser Peter Phelan on the Channel 4 soap opera, Brookside, which he played for nearly three years. 

More recently Sam has appeared in a new film Vendetta which starred Danny Dyer and also directed the new stage play Kiss Me Honey Honey at the Edinburgh Festival. This was a huge success and went on to win a Fringe First Award. “I was thrilled to bits,” says Sam of the play, “we’re going back next year with another great writer and the same actors and really looking forward to it.” 

In the meantime, Sam is currently acting and directing in Cinderella alongside his wife Linda, Gareth Thomas, Lee Mead, Andy Jones, Mike Doyle, and Holly Bluett. For Sam it’s a dream cast, "What we have right here is an old style theatre bill where there’s a lot of people who can do the job on stage whether they be celebrities from television, stage or sport. We've got the whole gamut on one bill and everyone’s got an amazing ability or personality. That is the star of the show. Cinderella’s the best pantomime I've done.”

• Cinderella runs at The New Theatre until January 18, 2015. Tickets can be bought on 029 2087 8889 or online at www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on January 2, 2015 

Linda Lusardi Brings Pantomime Magic To Cinderella - Interview

Linda Lusardi in Cinderella

Actress and former glamour model Linda Lusardi is currently making wishes come true as the Fairy Godmother in Cardiff New Theatre's pantomime Cinderella, "It’s quite a change to me because I'm normally a Wicked Queen in Snow White or Carabeth in Sleeping Beauty. For me to be a Fairy Godmother is quite nice as I'm able to smile on stage and not get booed!"

Linda, along with her husband the actor and director Sam Kane have been pantomime regulars around the UK for the last 25 years and will be appearing on stage together in Cinderella, (Sam is playing an Ugly Sister alongside Mike Doyle as well as directing.)

"I think we work well together because he has so much to think about with all the different characters," says Linda of her on stage partnership with her husband, "sometimes I see things that he’s missed. Kids are the best because when ours were younger they would sit in on rehearsal and go "Mum that doesn't make sense and it would be something you've not even seen but children don’t miss a trick."

Linda took up acting following a successful modelling career in the 1980s "I wasn't a confident person even when I was modelling," she says, “Slowly as I got older I was offered different things. I was offered this play called Funny Peculiar. I didn't really know what I was doing but the director worked with me and by the end of the 12 week run I kind of got the knack of it. There were no microphones you had to project yourself on stage. From that, I was offered my first panto with Norman Wisdom in Dartford and that was it, that was Christmas for me. I just wanted to do panto every year."

Andy Howells meets Linda Lusardi

Linda met Sam when they appeared in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs at Darlington 20 years ago. "He was the Prince and I was Snow White,"she says. "My marriage was on the rocks and had been for a while and we'd basically become really good friends over that season. We remained in contact after my marriage split. I was in Llandudno in a wartime play and he came to see it and we went out for dinner and it was lovely. Twenty years on it still feels new."

Linda and Sam married in 1998 and have two children Jack and Lucy, both of whom are following their parent’s footsteps into the acting profession. Like Sam and Linda, Lucy is also appearing in pantomime this Christmas, but in Swindon with Nigel Havers.

Linda feels that the medium of pantomime is an important one for bringing families into the theatre, "We've had some people go "I've come every year for a good sleep because its just for the kids, but this year we've really loved it, we were into it as much as the kids!"

Of Cinderella which also stars Lee Mead, Gareth Thomas, Andy Jones, Holly Bluett and Mike Doyle, Linda says, "Its lavish and sparkly, we've got real ponies on stage for the carriage for the ball. Its spectacular."

Even though Linda is taking to the stage as the Fairy Godmother, I wonder if she'll have any Christmas wishes she'd like granting of her own. "That we don’t get stuck in by snow, " she replies, "I hate driving in the snow, as my daughter is in Swindon  I hope we can get over and pick her up for Christmas Day without any problems. if it goes smoothly its all I can hope for."

• Extracts from this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on December 19, 2014. 
• To book tickets for Cinderella, which runs until January 15, 2015 visit Cardiff New Theatre's website.