00:00I'm coming to Blackpool with Blythe Spirit, so can I start by asking you what is Blythe Spirit?
00:05Blythe Spirit is a wonderful play by Noel Coward, which I'm enchanted to say has been
00:12making people not only come once, but on some occasions they've come twice, they've returned
00:20here where we're doing it down in Salisbury. I hope that may be the case in Blackpool.
00:27It's a lovely play and it has wonderful roles in it and we're discovering just how funny
00:34and delightful it is.
00:36And what does the play follow?
00:39The play follows, well I will talk about it from my point of view, which is I play one
00:44of the great roles, which is Madame Marcati, who is a medium and who is, as a friend of
00:51mine said, entirely plausible and completely potty. She's a wonderful woman of later years
01:00and she offers to give a seance and in so doing she, in a sense, pushes all the wrong buttons
01:08and all sorts of people appear who shouldn't appear and the play goes on from there.
01:15And it is, it's great fun and it's quite thought provoking as well. A lot of people have found
01:21that element to it. So this guy who has a happy marriage is suddenly reacquainted with his wife,
01:30who died a few years earlier. And in a way the fun goes from there.
01:37Okay, you mentioned your character there. Can I ask you if you relate to her in any way?
01:41I relate entirely to her in that I'm completely implausible and completely potty as well.
01:48So she's perfect fit for me. Noel Card was wonderful because he wrote such fantastic parts for women
01:57and very often women in their later years. They're the great, great roles that were blessed to play
02:03if we are asked. And he writes all his characters. What's wonderful about him?
02:10They're all ages and all backgrounds and it makes it such a treat for the audience to watch.
02:19Because yes, indeed, it starts with ladies and gentlemen in black tie and even dress.
02:24But there's much more to it than that.
02:27How are you feeling about bringing it to Blackpool?
02:29Oh, I am so excited to be playing in your beautiful Matcham theatre. I can't wait.
02:37I remember I did a series, a comedy series back in the early 80s, which was set in Blackpool.
02:44And the credit sequence was just all walking along Blackpool Beach.
02:50And I remember going to the theatre and just thinking it was absolutely incredible.
02:56And my fellow who's the stand up Andy de la Tour with Rick Mayle.
03:01The two of them did a couple of gigs there back in the day.
03:06And he said it's an incredible theatre to play.
03:09And you're a big theatre too.
03:12Have you yourself performed in Blackpool?
03:15No, no, it's my first time. I'm breaking my duck.
03:19So that's really going to be lovely.
03:21I can't wait. I'm so looking forward to it.
03:24I've been to Blackpool. I like Blackpool very much indeed.
03:28I was lucky enough to work with Roy Battersby, who, as you know, was Les Dawson's other half as it were.
03:36And I remember talking to him most fondly about Blackpool and Livam and all around.
03:42So I'm looking forward to it very much indeed.
03:45Has your partner given you any hints as to what Blackpool audiences might be like for you?
03:51Oh, we will wait and see.
03:53He said it was wonderful when he was doing it.
03:56But I wouldn't equate my performance with Rick Mayle.
04:00Mind you, I'm potty enough in it.
04:03So there is that.
04:05You mentioned you have been to Blackpool for fun anyway.
04:08Can I ask you what it is you like to get up to when you're in Blackpool?
04:11Oh, well, this time I'm so thrilled the lights are going to be on and all of that.
04:16And so I love just walking, you know, by the sea and all.
04:21I just love the atmosphere of it.
04:24And it reminds me it's good to get away from London and the stiffness of London.
04:31And I have friends up there.
04:33So that's going to be lovely as well.
04:36Now, I'm thoroughly looking forward to it.
04:39It is, of course, Halloween as well.
04:41Could we expect to see you on any late night rides at the Pleasure Beach or visiting the Blackpool Dungeons?
04:47Tell me how thrilling.
04:49Oh, absolutely.
04:51Yes, I think definitely.
04:53I will look into that.
04:55Yes, because while I'm doing the show, I become a night bird.
04:58So I don't get up early.
05:00And after the show is when I'm alive.
05:03So yes, late night rides.
05:05Here we come.
05:07Have some cast nights out on the Blackpool promenade.
05:10It will be mentioned this very evening to my fellow players.
05:15Let's go.
05:16Let's go.
05:17Let's go.
05:18Let's go.
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