by Priscilla

Apr.02, 2010, under Cast Blog

It is the first time that I’ve ever done a take over. It’s a bit daunting, because inevitably you don’t get as much rehearsal time as the people that played the roles initially. I had seen the show last year, well before I knew that I was going into the show. As a rule I don’t really enjoy going to the theatre and I don’t like to see anything more that once. However, I’d seen Priscilla 4 times before they asked me to take over the role of Bob, which I guess is an indication of my feelings towards it.

John Bowe

Bob is the only feasible role I could play in the show and I was delighted to be asked. What appeals to me about the role of Bob is he is the heterosexual man in amongst this gay, transsexual mayhem. I think he represents a man willing to go along with anything and if anything I hope it encourages men to come along with their girlfriends to the show. It is the ultimate chick flick, your girls will love you forever if you bring them here and you will enjoy it too. You will have a great night. It’s a show about love, life and prejudice and the conquering of prejudice.

I have done musicals before, The Wizard of OZ with Imelda Staunton, but nothing on this scale. I like to duck and dive and surprise other and myself with different roles. Going from Cranford to this is very different, but it seemed to be within my compass and the company here is great. I am so impressed by the young members of this company. The amount of work they do and the application they show is fantastic. They have my total admiration. Inevitably new blood brings something new. And people that have seen the original cast will now hopefully see something new that they like. Clive Carter, who played Bob originally, is an old friend and inevitably I bring something slightly different to the role, maybe something a bit more serious. It is a different take on the same character.

The nicest compliment I’ve had was after one of the shows. I had left something backstage and when I went down to get it and some Australian dignities were being shown around. One of the ladies came over and said, “Oh Bob you were fantastic” and I said, ‘Thank you very much’. She paused and then said ‘Oh my god you are English’. Now that’s a compliment.

My favourite part of the show is the Minty’s. Daniele Coombe’s portrayal of Shirley is brilliant. She makes me laugh every night. Kanako, who plays my wife Cynthia is amazing as well. Every performance the audience stands and cheers at the end, which is enough for any actor and the number of people at the stage door afterwards who say how uplifting the show is is amazing. It is a party every show.