Don't Dress for Dinner
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
29th May to 3rd June 2017
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
29th May to 3rd June 2017
Damian Williams Interview
Don't Dress for Dinner is coming to Southend's Palace Theatre on 29th May and will be starring local actor, Damian Williams. Hear what he has to say about appearing in one of Marc Camoletti's funniest farces!
You’re known predominantly as a comedy actor, what it is you love about genre?
I love the instant reaction to something that’s funny, you know when you get it right as the reaction is spontaneous from the audience. You just can’t beat the feeling of an entire auditorium laughing!
You’ve played Tommy Cooper on stage and on screen – was it challenging playing one of your personal comedy heroes?
I was delighted to be given the opportunity, I, like many others adore his performances but the challenge was deciding how to play him outside of those iconic routines, when he was simply just being Tommy.
Congratulations on your recent awards (Damian won ‘Best Actor’ in Southampton International Film Festival for The Last Laugh and ‘Best Dame’ in the Great British Panto Awards, for his role in Sheffield Lyceum’s pantomime). Was that exciting?
It is amazing, the Great British Panto Awards were put together this year and I was really happy to be part of it and win Best Dame. The recognition for The Last Laugh really is the icing on the cake, to be able to play one of your heroes and to then know it was so well received is a very special feeling.
Are you looking forward to touring again?
Absolutely, the theatres in this tour are beautiful and in some amazing towns and cities.
I love the instant reaction to something that’s funny, you know when you get it right as the reaction is spontaneous from the audience. You just can’t beat the feeling of an entire auditorium laughing!
You’ve played Tommy Cooper on stage and on screen – was it challenging playing one of your personal comedy heroes?
I was delighted to be given the opportunity, I, like many others adore his performances but the challenge was deciding how to play him outside of those iconic routines, when he was simply just being Tommy.
Congratulations on your recent awards (Damian won ‘Best Actor’ in Southampton International Film Festival for The Last Laugh and ‘Best Dame’ in the Great British Panto Awards, for his role in Sheffield Lyceum’s pantomime). Was that exciting?
It is amazing, the Great British Panto Awards were put together this year and I was really happy to be part of it and win Best Dame. The recognition for The Last Laugh really is the icing on the cake, to be able to play one of your heroes and to then know it was so well received is a very special feeling.
Are you looking forward to touring again?
Absolutely, the theatres in this tour are beautiful and in some amazing towns and cities.
(Below: Damian in rehearsal with co stars, Ben Roddy and Stacey Bland)
And what can we expect from Don’t Dress for Dinner?
A rip roaring riotous comedy from start to finish! What you can also expect is the unexpected, as with this cast anything can happen and it’s rarely the same thing twice.
The ‘dinner’ in the play hardly goes to plan, but who would you invite to your ideal dinner party?
Easy - Oliver Hardy, Tommy Cooper and Eric Morecambe
Do you enjoy cooking yourself?
Yes I do but I do not taste very nice - I am a bit fatty. Ha ha!
You’re born, bred and still live locally (Damian is based in Tilbury). Will all the family be along?
There should be a good crowd of family and friends, I very rarely ‘play local’ since leaving Gray's Pantomime ten years ago, I am lucky enough to be so well supported. My college years were spent in Southend and I lived there in my early 20’s (over looking Never Never Land!). I am also moving back to Southend this Summer with my family!
You’ve performed at The Palace many times – is it different performing in your ‘local’ theatre compared to other venues?
The audience is even more supportive as they are family, friends and people who have taken the time to follow me from Grays Pantomime and to the many comedies at The Palace. Being close to home feels so rewarding.
A rip roaring riotous comedy from start to finish! What you can also expect is the unexpected, as with this cast anything can happen and it’s rarely the same thing twice.
The ‘dinner’ in the play hardly goes to plan, but who would you invite to your ideal dinner party?
Easy - Oliver Hardy, Tommy Cooper and Eric Morecambe
Do you enjoy cooking yourself?
Yes I do but I do not taste very nice - I am a bit fatty. Ha ha!
You’re born, bred and still live locally (Damian is based in Tilbury). Will all the family be along?
There should be a good crowd of family and friends, I very rarely ‘play local’ since leaving Gray's Pantomime ten years ago, I am lucky enough to be so well supported. My college years were spent in Southend and I lived there in my early 20’s (over looking Never Never Land!). I am also moving back to Southend this Summer with my family!
You’ve performed at The Palace many times – is it different performing in your ‘local’ theatre compared to other venues?
The audience is even more supportive as they are family, friends and people who have taken the time to follow me from Grays Pantomime and to the many comedies at The Palace. Being close to home feels so rewarding.
For tickets to see Don't Dress for Dinner at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135