Captivating musical, The Wicker Husband, is currently running at The Watermill following its premature closure in March 2020 due to the pandemic. We spoke to actor George Maguire who plays the title character in the show.

You’re currently starring in The Wicker Husband at the Watermill Theatre. Tell us about your role in the production?

My role in The Wicker Husband is playing the head and the voice of the Wicker Husband. I am one of the three puppeteers who operate this 6ft Bunraku puppet man, who is made of wicker, and he is created by the Old Basketmaker for the character of the Ugly Girl. She wishes for a wicker husband because she is on her own and she is ostracised by the town that she lives in, and this happens for her. He is a kind soul, he is devoted to her, and he is quite a cheeky chappy.

How is it working with all the puppetry? 

Working with the puppetry has been an incredible experience and incredibly challenging. It was one of the main reasons I wanted to do this show, along with the beautiful story and music. It was the chance to learn a new skill as puppetry is something that I’ve never done before. We operate the Wicker Husband as three puppeteers – me on the head, one on the heart (chest) and one on the feet (legs). So we have to work really closely together and instinctively feel each other’s thoughts and make him come to life. It’s been quite a journey from the beginning, from trying to get him to walk to now him doing full-on dance numbers.

It’s quite a sad theme to the story, an ‘ugly’ girl resigns herself to being alone until she’s presented with a wicker husband, only to have her happiness threatened by other people’s jealousy. Are there more aspects to the story than people might realise? And how do you think people will react to the story itself? 

I think you could say there is a sad theme to the story. The Ugly Girl lives on her own and is outcast by the village that call themselves the Pretty Folk and the Pretty Town. They call her Ugly and she goes on a journey. I think the point of the story is not necessarily just a love story, it’s a story of self-identity and finding acceptance and loving yourself. I think the problem with the Ugly Girl is that for so long she believes what they’re saying, because of the treatment she receives. Through the journey she goes on with her Wicker Husband and her interactions with the people of the town, she comes to realise her self-worth and the fact that ugliness isn’t something you can see. The ugliness comes from their treatment and from who they are. They also learn the lesson in how to treat people. What people will realise and connect with is that feeling of self-worth and knowing yourself, loving yourself, which is so important, especially in today’s age, where people compare themselves to others all the time and feel like they’re not good enough. It’s so important to show theatre where you do go on a journey. For women and young girls, this story is amazing as she’s a strong character and she finds herself and loves herself truly by the end and it’s not because she finds a husband, that’s just something that takes on the journey, it’s that she realises the person she is and what she can offer and loves herself. It’s an important story for all.

You made your West End debut aged 10, in Oliver! at the Palladium, how did you deal with that at such a young age? 

So yes, I was lucky enough to be in Oliver! at the London Palladium when I was ten, which was absolutely mind-blowing. I went to an open audition, which I saw in The Stage, and there were hundreds of other boys and we got selected. I think at that age you take things just as they come and even though it was incredible to be on that stage, to be in that theatre and to work with Jonathan Pryce, we just had a great time. It set me off, I think very well, in how to work professionally from such a young age, how to conduct yourself in a theatre and how to be part of a company, in an ensemble. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Who has been the most influential person in your career? 

I think the most influential person or people in my life would have to be my parents. They’re not performers, but the influence they have had in the way my career has gone by letting me follow this path that none of my siblings did and allowing me and supporting me, watching me in all my shows and generally believing in me. I think, had I not had that, then I wouldn’t be where I am now. They’re truly amazing for that and I’m sure they’ve spent their lives worrying about me being broke but they know that this is what I want to do and for me, that’s hugely influential. It’s important to feel like you have the support from your family to be who you want to be.

What has been your favourite character role that you have played to date?

I’ve been really lucky with the jobs I’ve had in my career, and I’ve really truly loved every one. As far as characters go, I’m a musician as well and I loved the chance to play Marc Bolan of T. Rex in 20th Century Boy because he’s such a unique character. To play Dave Davies of The Kinks is obviously another rockstar but different to Marc Bolan, he was amazing fun. I’m absolutely loving playing the Wicker Husband. Each character has its own interesting things to get into and that make you love them.

What would your dream theatre role be or what production would you most like to be a part of that you haven’t worked on already?

I honestly find that question quite hard, what would my dream role be, because I like to see things as they come. Each thing excites me in a different way. I didn’t expect to be doing this show and it feels like a dream to be doing this. I’ve always wanted to be Mickey in Blood Brothers, because I think it’s one of the best musicals ever written and I love that character. I think that’s one on the bucket list for me.

We couldn’t let you get away without a cheeky question about a recent production you were in, so…. Having starred as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde and having been named in the cast for its upcoming run at The Arts Theatre in London. What initially drew you to the role of Buck Barrow?

I’m really lucky to have been involved in the Drury Lane concert of Bonnie & Clyde, which was insane. Sold out for two nights. We did it pretty much fully staged. It was incredible and I feel pretty lucky to be going on with the production. I think Buck is a really interesting character. I was just attracted to what made him tick, being the older brother of Clyde. This intense, almost adrenaline junkie but also kind of saw himself as a Robin Hood figure. I think Buck wanted a better life for him and his wife Blanche but also really loved the thrill of being involved in the criminal life that him and his brother went on. That’s exciting.

It’s an amazing piece of theatre, which has been really successful, but did you think it would be as well received in the UK as it had been previously in America?

It’s amazing that it’s getting such a buzz in the UK because I think it’s a wonderful piece of writing. The music is beautiful. Frank Wildhorn’s score and Ivan Menchell’s book work so well together to tell this timeless story that people have been fascinated about for years. It’s weird, you never know how things might be picked up, but it seems to have this cult following which is great and a lot of young people are into it. I think it’s brilliant as that’s what it’s about really. Two young people that feel like they don’t have a place in the world and they go out and they make their own way albeit a pretty disastrous and tragic way. I love that it’s getting UK audiences excited as I think it deserves to.

The Wicker Husband runs at the Watermill Theatre until 26 March, with tickets available here. You can also book tickets for Bonnie and Clyde at the Arts Theatre now here.