The actor chatted to us about his current role in One Man, Two Guvnors.
Hi George, for those not familiar with One Man, Two Guvnors what can they expect? It is a brilliant comedy farce set in 1960’s Brighton. It’s full of amazing slapstick surprises and great original music played by a live skiffle band.
Why did you want to be involved with this production? I’ve always wanted to do a comedy and this is one of the best. I was attracted to the over the top element,it’s always fun as an actor when you’re allowed to act over the top. I play in the band as well so I’m stretching my musical muscles too.
How has it been working on the production so far? Rehearsals have been the most fun I’ve had on anything I’ve worked on. We’ve not stopped laughing which is a good sign. The music is sounding great too. It adds another element to the story without being directly involved.
There’s plenty of physical comedy involved – how do you find bringing that element of the play to life? That’s the best bit. We have a fight director and physical comedy director who have been working with us to make it as funny and extreme as possible whilst staying safe. There’s lots of amazing slapstick violence that is hilarious. It’s all about precision timing that takes lots of repetition in rehearsals.
Could you tell us a bit more about your character Alan – what is he like to play? Alan wants to be an actor and lives his life as if he is performing in a play constantly. Any chance he gets to play up the melodrama he jumps at. He is a lot of fun to play. It gives me the chance to act ‘badly’ and that be good if you know what I mean, haha.
Being such a popular play – why do you think it goes down so well with
audiences? It has to be that it’s so funny and I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t find it funny. Going out to the theatre and laughing hysterically for two hours non- stop makes people feel great and that’s what happens to audiences of this show.The laughs come so thick and fast the audience can barely catch their breath. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a show.
By Emma Clarendon
One Man, Two Guvnors will play at the Nuffield Southampton Theatres from the 1st to the 12th October.