Elf and safety gone mad at the Bermondsey Christmas show - interview with Tim O'Hara

IF you go down to Bermondsey this Christmas you may come across an elf in a warehouse under the railway arches.

But who he may be and what exactly he's up to is something of a mystery. However all is set to be revealed in local theatre company Different Breed's Christmas production, The Night Before Christmas.

Written originally by Anthony Neilson, it is being staged by the four-strong cast and will take place at Gary's Warehouse in Druid Street, seven minutes walk from Bermondsey station.

It promises to be an antidote to traditional festive shows as it involves the elf trying to talk his way out of a hostage situation.

"It's going to be very funny, quite rude, very in your face and definitely not for kids," laughs Tim O'Hara.

“Staging the show under the arches will also make it very atmospheric which will add to the fun.”

The Bermondsey-based businessman, actor and company co-founder came up with the idea for doing the site specific show and has roped in some actor, writer and musician friends to help him out as well as some of the local traders.

“It’s going to be and feel like a real community show,” he says. “Bermondsey is really cool and I love living here.

"There is a strong cultural heritage but there is also a real mix of people from those who have lived here for a long time to those who are just moving in to the areas that are being regenerated.

“I liked the idea of doing something that might bring these groups together and mix things up a bit.

“I also wanted to do a show that was affordable for those who came to see it and involved some of the businesses in the area. So there will be food on offer from local market traders and beer from local breweries.

“My wife, who is a writer, and I didn’t have anything planned for December so we got to work to make it happen.

“The play is about a guy who sells knock off goods from a warehouse, but one night he finds an elf has broken in to the warehouse. He interrogates him because he doesn’t know if the elf has really fallen off Santa’s sleigh or if he’s a bit of a chancer. And it’s only at the end that everyone finds out the truth.

“It’s quite dark but wicked and essentially an anti panto so it will be something different and unlike the theatre you might otherwise go and see at this time of the year.

“It’s been a lot of fun to put together, the space is great, we've got secret Santa gifts, rude Christmas cards, an elf - what more could you want!”

As well as the hour long show those who come to see it will be encouraged to linger and mingle before and afterwards to have a drink and something to eat.

On certain nights the play will be followed by comedy from the likes of circuit favourites Marcel Lucont and Tina Turner Tea Lady and on other nights there will be a pub quiz.

"We have tried to keep the ticket price as low as possible because for us as long as everyone has a good time and it brings the community together a bit, that's the main thing," says Tim.

"Any profits will be ploughed back into next year's show which is exciting."

The Night Before Christmas is on at Gary's Warehouse,The Bottle Shop, Druid Street, Bermondsey from December 5 until December 19. Tickets from £15. Visit www.differentbreed.com for tickets and full listings.

INTERVIEW Marcus Brigstocke who plays Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Marcus Brigstocke and Verne Troyer in Peter Pan. Credit Craig Sugden.

THINK Captain Hook is bad? Marcus Brigstocke certainly thinks so and is on a mission to make his version the baddest, meanest man around.

The actor, panellist, satirist, avid snowboarder and award-winning comedian is bringing his take on Hook to the New Wimbledon Theatre's production of Peter Pan.

The show, which opens tonight, will be Marcus's panto debut and far from having any nerves about it the 42-year-old says he can't wait to bring this arch villain to life.

"I'm so excited," he says cheerfully. "I genuinely can't wait. I think Hook is one of the great baddies of all time and I want to show him in all his nasty, horrible glory."

But given his pedigree as a stand up and entertainer for the past 20 years, what was it that persuaded Marcus to do panto in the first place? It seems a combination of the story, which he describes as one of his favourites, and the role itself were the draws.

"My agent called and asked if I'd ever do a panto," he says. "The first one I was offered wasn’t right so I said would only do one if I could play Captain Hook.

"When she found out that Wimbledon was doing Peter Pan I said yes.

"The lure of the part was the main thing for me. I have done a lot of TV and radio and stand up is amazing, but playing a proper baddie who poisons a child, stabs him, bombs him and generally tries to kill him, and is just unapologetically bad, that’s pretty wild.

"I would like all the children watching it to be just on the edge of being frightened of me. Not proper terrified but just on the edge."

And I can confirm that during our chat, when he does the voice he really does sound scary so watch out kids - this could be the scariest Captain Hook you’ll ever see!

"You can't have a show without baddies though," he adds. "How do you fall in love with Peter Pan without someone who's horrible to him?

"I poison him and attack him and do whatever I can to kill him but I still lose. That's the great thing.

"There's a great bit which I adore where we are in the middle of a fight and I ask him 'who are you?' and he says 'I'm youth and joy!' and then he defeats me - that's brilliant."

And in true panto style Hook does eventually get his comeuppance.

"It's going to be quite painful," admits Marcus. "Lowering myself into the croc's mouth is quite difficult. I'll be fully consumed. But when I'm eaten by the croc I really want the kids to be so relieved and elated that this terrible man has been dealt with and Peter has won. It'll be great theatre."

Marcus will be joined on stage by American actor Verne Troyer, fellow comedian and Wimbledon panto returnee Jarred Christmas and dance group Flawless.

And he promises the usual heady mix of dancing, singing, gags-a-plenty and an amazing array of costumes all hanging on "a cracking story".

"This show will have everything," says Marcus warmly. "We’ve got such an amazing cast – there’s Verne Troyer and Jarred Christmas who are very funny and Flawless who are just jaw droppingly good - it's got it all going on.

"But it’s a brilliant story and one I love. I remember going to see panto as a kid. It was a real family event with me, my sister, parents and grandparents and I remember this being one of my favourites.

"Funnily enough I'm not sure whether Peter Pan is a panto in the traditional sense as it hasn't got a Dame but it has got all the best elements of it including where good triumphs over evil, so for that reason it's my favourite."

And he says although he gets to do a bit of dancing and singing, he's glad the pressure is off to be funny - and is leaving that to his friend Jarred who will play Hook's sidekick Smee.

"Jarred's got the most pressure as he has to be funny and make everyone in the audience laugh, but I just get to be mean and nasty," he laughs. "I just have to swing my sword a bit.

"But I'm actually really excited. I have a worrying thing that nothing makes me nervous.

"The first couple of shows will be seat of your pants stuff and there will be a lot of adrenaline flying about but after that it gets more and more fun."

Marcus promises his Hook will not only sound and be nasty he will look the part too.

"I've got the full King Charles II curled hair, skulls on the costume, a big sword and a huge hat - proper traditional and scary looking," he chuckles.

"I have also grown a big and rather impressive curly ended moustache – it’s creepy and mean to suit the part.

"It's going to be brilliant!"

Peter Pan is on at the New Wimbledon Theatre until January 10. Tickets from £10. Visit www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon or call the box office on 0844 871 7646.

INTERVIEW - Guy Retallack, The Bridge House Theatre - A Christmas Carol

OF all the classic stories that are synonymous with Christmas perhaps the most famous is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

And it is this famous tale that the Bridge House Theatre is using as inspiration for its festive show this year.

A Christmas Carol.... More Or Less was devised by Saturday Night Live writers Stefano LoVerso and Mary Ivey.

It is a play within a play and set in a local theatre, something that director and Bridge House Theatre founder Guy Retallack acknowledges has similarities with his own.

"Essentially it's about a couple in their late 20s or early 30s, Charlie and Sarah, who run a small theatre, much like the Bridge House," he says.

"Charlie is an actor, producer and director, who is finding running his theatre tough. There's not much money and he and Sarah are on the brink of splitting up.

"He suddenly finds himself with a chance to go to LA and write for a reality TV show and perhaps make it as a film script writer.

"However he and Sarah were lined up to put on a Christmas show but unfortunately the cast of six has gone off skiing at the dry ski slope and they have an accident there.

"It's left to Charlie to come back and tell Sarah what happened. They then have to decide whether to put the show on and do it themselves or cancel it. Charlie also has to make a decision on whether or not to move to LA.

"It is a fantastic story - it's so entertaining, really imaginative, magical, full of emotion, very poignant and farcical and all done at break neck speed so it's very, very funny!"

Fortunately despite the similarities Guy says there is no chance of him skipping off to LA.

But he acknowledges that running a small theatre is not easy. He and his wife, actress Rachel Tucker, and friend producer Rob Harris established the Bridge House last year and are in for the long haul.

"This is an amazing theatre and we have invested so much in it," he says. "But we are determined because we believe in it. We had such a fantastic time doing It's A Wonderful Life last year and we are so excited about this year's show and next year we have plans to be even more ambitious with our programming.

"It's tough running a theatre but the support we've had from the local community has been fantastic.

"Now we want to reach out a bit further - there is a real potential for building an audience beyond Sydenham and Penge.

"It takes time to get it established but we love it."

So what will Charlie and Sarah? Will they do the show themselves and if they do, make it through to the final curtain call?

"You will have to come and find out," smiles Guy.

A Christmas Carol... More Or Less is on at the Bridge House Theatre, Penge until Tuesday, December 22. Tickets from £10. Visit www.bhtheatre.com/ or call the box office on 020 8133 0311.

Cinderella and the Beanstalk, Theatre503

SOMETIMES it's difficult to choose which Christmas show to go and see, such is the choice in South London.

But help is at hand because award-winning trio Sleeping Trees is returning to Theatre503 in Battersea with it's brilliantly conceived show Cinderella and the Beanstalk.

Essentially it is a glorious mash up of all the fairy tales, stories and pantomimes all rolled into one.

Directed by Tom Attenborough, this three-man pantomime with a twist combines the classic elements of a well-loved panto with an astonishing range of fast paced, physical and bare-knuckled comedy.

The premis is simple. After writing the script, booking the venue, building a set and hiring a musician, the boys - James Dunnell-Smith, Joshua George Smith and John Woodburn - realise they've forgotten one vital component - a cast.

They have no option but to perform the entire pantomime themselves, with only their dear friend Mark Newnham doing the music for company.

The audience will get to follow Cinderella on a perilous adventure as the scheming Rumple Stiltskin blackmails the would-be princess into retrieving the coveted golden eggs from the top of the beanstalk.

Cinderella must complete her quest in order to recover her glass slipper, but with Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother and Jack’s pregnant cow all doing their best to get in the way, these delicious, oversized eggs may not be so easily sought out…

"It's mad and bonkers but it's great fun and we are delighted to be back at Theatre503 this year," says John.

"We have been refining the show since last year and added a bit for this year's run but essentially the narrative is the same.

"We always like working with fairy tales and stories and wanted to create a panto that combined nearly every story and panto that we knew of. Finding the balance was tricky but once we started it flowed really well!

"It also had to appeal to all the family which we think it does. It's slapstick, physical comedy and quite exhausting. But it's great fun."

With more than 40 characters to cram in some get longer on stage than others.

"Some are only on for 10 seconds but some get two minutes!" laughs John. "We have multiple costume changes but it's a story the audience can follow and they know which character we are at any time.

"It's fast and mad but that's just the way we like it!"

Cinderella and the Beanstalk is on at Theatre503 until January 2. Visit www.theatre503.com or call the box office on 020 7978 7040 for full listings.

INTERVIEW - Darius Campbell, in Funny Girl, Menier Chocolate Factory

Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice and Darius Campbell as Nick Arnstein

DARIUS Campbell first sprung to fame on talent show Pop Idol in 2002. Although he didn't win the competition, it did lead to a successful music career.

His first single, Colourblind, went to number one in the singles chart and his debut album Dive In went platinum in 2004.

Since then he has continued to write and perform but has also branched out into musical theatre performing in the West End and on tour with roles in Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Carmen, Gone With The Wind and From Here to Eternity.

Not only that he's also a film producer working alongside actors such as Daniel Radcliffe.

The 35-year-old is now taking on what he describes as an “actor’s dream role”, that of Nick Arnstein in director Michael Mayer's production of Funny Girl.

It is based on the real life story of Fanny Brice who, during the early part of the 20th century, rose from the Lower East Side of New York as a Brooklyn saloon singer, to become one of Broadway's biggest stars under producer Florenz Ziegfeld.

However, while she was cheered onstage as a great comedienne, offstage she faced a doomed relationship with the man she loved - Nick Arnstein.

Arnstein, played by Darius, was the love of her life but was far from a good boy.

“He was a gambler,” laughs Darius. “He came from the wrong side of the tracks and worked hard to create an identity with which people were charmed by.

"But he was a conman and an irredeemable one at that. He played cards, bet on the horses and eventually got involved in a Wall Street bond scams and got sent to prison.

"However, Fanny stayed true to him and this piece is about their incredible love story."

We chat as Darius gears up for the show which opened this week at the Menier Chocolate Factory and features a score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill which includes now-classic songs such as People, You Are Woman, I Am Man and Don't Rain on My Parade.

Even before it opened at the Menier it was lined up for a West End transfer, something that Darius is understandably delighted about.

“It’s fantastic and I'm delighted to be part of it,” he enthuses. “It’s such a great musical with a story that's still relevant and that everyone can identify with.

“As well as being beautifully written it's got wonderful music and fantastic songs – the characterisation is superb – and I get to work with Sheridan Smith so what’s not to love.

"Also Nick is a role I’ve always had on my wish list. So when I heard that it might be happening I really wanted to do it.

“He’s dashing, I get to wear top hat and tails and I sing some fabulous numbers.

"But he's also a complex character – there are a lot of layers to him so he’s a great role – it’s much more interesting to play those kinds of characters.

"Irrespective of the things he did wrong this was the woman he would have done anything for. I couldn't turn it down.”

And he says it’s more than living up to expectations although he admits to a certain amount of nerves not least because the Broadway version skyrocketed Barbara Streisand to stardom and the film adaptation earned her an Oscar. Not only that comparisons with Omar Sharif who played Nick in the film will be inevitable.

"It hasn't been done in London since its premiere in 1966 so there is a bit of pressure and a lot of responsibility," he says.

"I suppose the reason it's not been done for such a long time is that people don't want to be compared to Streisand or Sharif.

"However it's been a brilliant experience. I’ve learned so much from Sheridan and it’s amazing to work with her and I'm sure audiences will fall in love with her and her portrayal.

“The film that was done was iconic and so that adds to the pressure but we are all really excited and bringing it to a new audience will be fantastic - that's the joy of it.

"There is a wonderful innocence, wit and knowingness about it and it’s a story that’s as much Shakespeare as Kardashian."

That Darius has ended up in the entertainment industry was no surprise as he says it was something he always wanted to do but he credits his father with his work ethic.

"I remember aged four singing and acting in the school play and knew it was something I wanted to do," he says. "Since then it's been about finding a way to do it.

"The guiding principle was laid down by my father who said to always give my best, work with the best people in the business, to learn from them and ask them to teach and direct me. That's been my guide for everything I've done.

"It means everything I've done I've enjoyed - it's all been a highlight - whether it's the first single being number one or working with Steve Lillywhite or directors such as Trevor Nunn and Tim Rice - in fact they inspired me to get into this way of storytelling."

So what next I ask? There is mention of a new album and another film to be produced but Darius says his main focus is Funny Girl.

"I concentrate on the now - being Nick Arnstein and being the best leading man for Sheridan Smith I can be," he says.

Funny Girl is on at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark Street, until March 5. Visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com or call the box office on 020 7378 1713 for full listings.