Leicester mercury November 22nd 2014
Interview with Michael French, Paul Kerryson and Laura Pitt-Pulford
This year’s christmas show at Curve will be filled with extra poignancy. Not only is The Sound of Music a bittersweet tale of love and hope, set agaisnt the backdrop of war, but this production will be Paul Kerryson’s last festive musical as artistic director at Curve.
Kerryson’s name on a bill always carries an air of confidence for the theatre goer, and his production values and qualities have been top notch throughout his quarter of a century in Leicester.
It is always a sign of talent and respect when people want to work with you – and for actor Michael French, it’s a return after several decades.
The former Eastender and Holby City star first worked with Kerryson more than 30 years ago, when the latter was directing and choreographing a production of Kander and Ebb’s Chicago in Manchester.
“I always knew he could sing and dance, and I’ve been trying for years to get him in a show but he’s had such a fantastic TV career he was rarely avalible. I couldn’t believe my luck when I asked about The Sound of Music and heard back that he was intrested,” says Paul.
“He came to see Rent last year, loved the show, loved the theatre, so I was thrilled when he said yes to playing Captain Von Trapp.
“I was also delighted to have Laura Pitt-Pulford back who played Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly! – as Maria. The chemistry between them is fantastic. “We’ve got some terrific leads in this show and business is good.”
How does it feel to be working on his last show as artistic director in the city after 25 years? “I’ve had 18 months to prepare for this. I’ve had a fantastic time this past year or so with Chicago, Hairspray, Rent and now The Sound f Music. It’s not got to me, yet, but I do feel like I’ve been saying ‘so long farewell’ for months now!”
His actors are certaintly touched to be part of something special. “It’s great to be part of this” says Laura. “Directors all work differently and have different ways of getting things out of you. “Every new director is the start of a new relationship, so when you go back to work with someone you already like working with, it makes such a difference.”
Michael says: “When I first met Paul I was quite intimidated by him, he wore wacky clothes and caps – and he looks exactly the same now – only older!
“He runs a lovely rehearsal room and people work with him again and again because they like working with him and he’s very loyal to those he likes working with, too!”
“You know where you stand and have an understanding of what to expect from each other,” says Laura. Michael says: “Do ypu think that makes us sound complacent?” Laura (laughing) says: “No, I have a thing where I think everyone thinks I’m a disaster!”
It’s this kind of easy banter which makes the chemistry Kerryson spoke of utterly evident. These leading two are clearly already mightily comfortable in each other’s company and both have a physical resemblance to the screen characters they will be potraying on stage.
And given their history and love of the show, there’s also a sense of karmic inevitability about the casting.
“I wanted to be in the London Palladium production and play Rolf when I was 17, because I loved Petula Clark.” Says Michael. “But I got a letter back saying if I wasn’t in Equity then it was a no. There were other productions which I wasn’t avalible for, but this one just felt right, and it feels right working with Laura, Paul and the team.
“The Sound of Music was one of my happiest memories – maybe coming from dysfunctional family I loved the idea of a happy family and was drawn to it.”
Laura adds: ” I just wanted to be Maria, and was starting to think that time was running out for me to play her. I loved the film and have seen various versions on stage but I’m keen to do my take on her. You can never underestimate how much people love this show.”
Michael agrees: “The audience knows they won’t see real mountains and snow, but on stage they get to see something more than the film, and we just want to make sure those iconic moments live up to there expectations.”
Favourite moment of the show? “Something Good” says Michael. “The wedding,” says Laura “I was in tears when they started fitting my dress, and the music is amazing.”
Sounds like Curve will be alive this Christmas. Take a hankie!
