Interview: Actor Brian Conley on CINDERELLA at New Victoria Theatre Woking
It’s nearly that time again! Oh no it isn’t….No time for any of that! We spoke to actor Brian Conley who will be playing Buttons in Cinderella at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking this Christmas.
You’re about to play Buttons in Cinderella, a role that you’ve played an impressive 18 times before! How has the way you play the role changed over the years?
I do more! I’m on right at the beginning. The one thing that has changed is being on stage all the time. I’m the thread that goes all the way through the show. In the old days, the top of the bill would come out 20 minutes into the show once the audience were all warmed up but not any more!
It’s been a strange couple of years for pantomime. What are you looking forward to most about this season?
Being with a big crowd. And last year, we didn’t have the kids up on stage so we’re looking forward to doing that again. I really love getting the kids up on stage as I think there is a real art to it. I’ve really missed that.
Other than Cinderella, what pantomime has been the most enjoyable to perform in?
Robinson Crusoe. I’ve done them all, except Goldilocks and the Three Bears as that’s a new one. But Robinson Crusoe is the other pantomime I do and they’re equally as good and equally as funny. Aladdin’s good too though as it’s a lovely story.
It’s your first time performing at the New Victoria over the Christmas season, but what has been your favourite venue to perform in throughout your career?
Oh, of course, the Palladium. I did Chitty Chitty Bang Bang there. The circle really comes out and it’s like a sea of faces. I love all the [Frank] Matcham theatres, the ones that weren’t designed for sound or microphones. I love the history of them.
You started your career as a Bluecoat at Pontin’s when you were 16, Did that prepare you for pantomime audiences?
It taught me how to talk to the crowd. Being a Bluecoat in my day, we had 14 shows to learn because of the turnaround. What I love is that I have won an Olivier, TV awards, met Royals, had my own chat show, been in drama and sitcoms and people still go “you used to be a Bluecoat!” and I say, “Yeah but that was 50 years ago for three months!” I went to stage school when there were only four stage schools in London and that was it - I never stopped! From the age of 12, I never really went to school. I always done this, never had a proper job.
You’re a comedy legend in your own right, and you have been lucky enough to work with some other comedy legends over the years. Who has influenced your career the most and how?
I’ve always been a big fan of Tommy Cooper. I’ve got a few bits of memorabilia that were owned by Tommy himself. There were moments in my career when Bob Hope came to see me in a show called Me and My Girl and he came to see me backstage and he said, “How old are you?” At the time I was 30, I’m now 61. He said, “Let me tell you, my boy, you have got it all.” And then Jackie Mason who is a very famous Jewish comedian said, “You have no right to be that good in front of me. When I watched you, I felt like a plumber’s mate.” So those moments I really take on board. But everyone has influenced me in some way. I’ve been influenced by everyone I’ve ever worked with. You learn something from everyone.
If you could play any theatre role (non-gender specific), who would it be and why?
The one I had when I was a young lad that I really wanted to play, I ended up playing. That was Fagin. I’ve played so many different parts. I suppose Elvis, I’ve always been a big fan of Elvis. When I saw his live concerts as a kid, I just thought “this is what I want to do!” So to play Elvis, that would be great, but I’d be the old fat Elvis now!
You can catch Brian in panto at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking from 2-31 December, with tickets available here.