by Priscilla

Jun.28, 2010, under Cast Blog

We asked you to send in your questions for Ben. Here are the second set of them and his answers.

What is it like working with Don and Oliver?

They have been wonderful and so supportive. They haven’t once moaned even though they were doing 11 show weeks during rehearsals with me, which must have been exhausting. Hopefully we’ll keep finding more aspects to our trio and continue to develop that relationship.

Ben Richards

How long did you have to rehearse?

Two weeks. Getting the dancing, singing, acting and choreography is hard enough in that amount of time, but then you add the costume changes backstage and you feel you need another week just to get them down right. It is frightening.

What is the hardest costume change?

All the costume changes are mental, but the hardest one is coming off just before my telephone conversation with Bernadette and getting out of my dress and corset and into my costume for the funeral scene. It is about 15 seconds. That is really quick. I’m onstage behind the flitter ripping clothes off to get back on in time. Backstage is crazy, we are constantly running around back there as much as we are on stage.

What is your favourite costume?

Tricky question. None of them are particular comfortable. I mean it is heels and women’s clothes, but they look good. The flip flop dress is great to wear, but the headdress is so big and heavy. The costumes add another huge element, because you think you know the choreography and how do it, then you have to do it in six inch heals, a 4 foot headdress and a mask that doesn’t help your sight lines. The artistic team have been great help. They say we are going to add these shoes and this will make you take a step back and then we’ll add this headdress which will make you lean this way, but they take you through it bit by bit. After all the costumes are such a huge part of the spectacle of this show.