INTERVIEW
Annie - the Musical is returning to Southend's Cliffs Pavilion with
ALEX BOURNE playing Daddy Warbucks
AT
SOUTHEND'S CLIFFS PAVILION
27 May – 1 June 2019
Annie - the Musical is returning to Southend's Cliffs Pavilion with
ALEX BOURNE playing Daddy Warbucks
AT
SOUTHEND'S CLIFFS PAVILION
27 May – 1 June 2019
Alex, you obviously enjoy playing Daddy Warbucks - how many times have you played him now?
I think it’s around 750 times
Wow! What was it like the first time you shaved your hair off for the role?
I am blessed with full head of hair and the thought of not having it was weird. So about 3 weeks before rehearsals started, my wife got the clippers out and buzzed it off. It was liberating and luckily for me, my head shape was pretty good!
Have you ever had to change anything else about yourself physically for a part?
I had to perm my hair for “Buddy”
We saw you as Daddy Warbucks the last time the tour came to Southend and also Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan. Although you are playing the same characters, have there been any changes to the show since then and its subsequent residency in the West End?
When we came before it was quite early on in the run. The show went through a lot of changes for the London run and again improvements were made for this tour. I can honestly say this touring version is the best the show has ever been.
Why do you think that a musical like Annie has such a universal appeal and had such longevity?
First of all the songs are incredible and it’s a really well written book. Add to that some amazing kids and a dog ... and bingo!
What’s your favourite Annie film?
I actually like them all for different reasons. The original is special, but nothing like the show. The 1999 Disney remake has all the show songs in it and I like Victor Garber’s Warbucks.. more gentle.
I think it’s around 750 times
Wow! What was it like the first time you shaved your hair off for the role?
I am blessed with full head of hair and the thought of not having it was weird. So about 3 weeks before rehearsals started, my wife got the clippers out and buzzed it off. It was liberating and luckily for me, my head shape was pretty good!
Have you ever had to change anything else about yourself physically for a part?
I had to perm my hair for “Buddy”
We saw you as Daddy Warbucks the last time the tour came to Southend and also Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan. Although you are playing the same characters, have there been any changes to the show since then and its subsequent residency in the West End?
When we came before it was quite early on in the run. The show went through a lot of changes for the London run and again improvements were made for this tour. I can honestly say this touring version is the best the show has ever been.
Why do you think that a musical like Annie has such a universal appeal and had such longevity?
First of all the songs are incredible and it’s a really well written book. Add to that some amazing kids and a dog ... and bingo!
What’s your favourite Annie film?
I actually like them all for different reasons. The original is special, but nothing like the show. The 1999 Disney remake has all the show songs in it and I like Victor Garber’s Warbucks.. more gentle.
|
Do you come from a ‘show-biz’ or performing family?
Not at all ... my Mum does Am Dram, which got me into it in the first place and my dad should have been a stand up comedian. But nothing professional. You have a beautiful daughter, what kind of ‘daddy’ are you in real life? Well, Josie has always been my inspiration since I began this show. I think it’s probably a bit bonkers in our house. We try and have a good time! We also saw you when you were in panto here in Southend and you were one of our favourite baddies in Robinson Crusoe! Do you prefer playing a ‘baddie’ to a ‘goodie’ or vice versa? Definitely prefer goodies ... don’t really like being a baddie, but that’s my panto casting I’m afraid. I shall forever enter stage left! |
You also played Sam in Mamma Mia - did you get to meet any members of the ABBA during that time?
I probably am the shortest serving cast member in Mamma Mia! history. I only did 11 weeks and they kindly released me to do Annie in the West End. So, no I didn’t meet Benny or Bjorn.
Have you been writing any of your own music and do you ever perform your own gigs?
I love playing guitar and I have a little studio at home that I record in. But I’m not a songwriter... I’ll leave that to the pros. I love doing actor/muso shows where I get to play live.
What do you do to relax in-between shows?
Obsessed with golf ... any one show day I will try to get a round in!
You’ve been to Southend many times - what’s your favourite thing to do here?
Adventure Island with my daughter and brekkie at Petite Pétanque!
I probably am the shortest serving cast member in Mamma Mia! history. I only did 11 weeks and they kindly released me to do Annie in the West End. So, no I didn’t meet Benny or Bjorn.
Have you been writing any of your own music and do you ever perform your own gigs?
I love playing guitar and I have a little studio at home that I record in. But I’m not a songwriter... I’ll leave that to the pros. I love doing actor/muso shows where I get to play live.
What do you do to relax in-between shows?
Obsessed with golf ... any one show day I will try to get a round in!
You’ve been to Southend many times - what’s your favourite thing to do here?
Adventure Island with my daughter and brekkie at Petite Pétanque!
For tickets to see Alex in Annie at the Cliffs Pavilion go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk
The smash-hit production of ANNIE comes to Southend for one week only direct from London’s West End. This ‘glorious revival’ (The Times) stars Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan!
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…
With its Tony® award-winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it!
Mon - Thu 7.30pm - £44.00, £41.00, £34.00. Premium £49.00
Fri and Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm - £46.00, £44.00, £39.00. Premium £51.00
Wed 2.30pm - £41.00, £39.00, £32.00. Premium £46.00
Concessions £2.50 off (exc Fri and Sat performances)
Senior Citizen Midweek matinee special £34.00, £29.00 (exc. groups)
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…
With its Tony® award-winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it!
Mon - Thu 7.30pm - £44.00, £41.00, £34.00. Premium £49.00
Fri and Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm - £46.00, £44.00, £39.00. Premium £51.00
Wed 2.30pm - £41.00, £39.00, £32.00. Premium £46.00
Concessions £2.50 off (exc Fri and Sat performances)
Senior Citizen Midweek matinee special £34.00, £29.00 (exc. groups)
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.