Interview: Ten Minutes with David Bedella
David Bedella is an award winning stage and TV actor.
Best known for creating the roles of Satan/Warm Up Man in Jerry Springer – The Opera (for which he won the 2004 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Bedella has also appeared in BBC1′s popular hospital drama Holby City, as Dr Carlos Fashola. Bedella’s stage work also includes Broadway and US national tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, La Cage Aux Folles, Almost Like Being In Love, Smokey Joe’s Café, and West Side Story. His work in A Chorus Line also earned him the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Currently, Bedella is playing the mad scientist Dr Frank ‘n’ Furter in the national tour of the phenomenally successful Rocky Horror Show. After having adopted the basque and high heels for the 2006/2007 tour, Bedella has also played the part alongside Meat Loaf. He took time out from his touring schedule to speak to Matthew Nichols.
Why did you decide to return to the role of Frank ‘n’ Furter?
The pay cheque! Joking aside, it’s all of the obvious reasons, really. It’s a great role to play, and it’s enormously fulfilling as an actor. To go on stage every night and receive that level of adoration from the audience who truly love him is really special. And they love him, they love that character. It really is very rewarding.
The show is famed for its audience response. Have any of them caught you off guard at all?
There hasn’t been anything too unexpected. There are, obviously, the traditional list of callouts that the audience has and love, so it’s rare to hear a new one. Some of them would be unrepeatable! When we were performing it last year, there was a really weird night. Frank says the line, “My children turn on me…” and someone in the audience shouted out, “So did Michael Jackson’s.” This was the night after he had died! So, in character, I responded, “It’s too soon for that,” and the audience went wild.
Most people will be familiar with the film version, and Tim Curry’s iconic performance. How does your take on the role differ?
He is a much bigger character on stage. Tim gives a great film performance, but it’s not as wild as you can be on stage in front of 2000 people in a theatre. It’s a bigger size, and that makes it quite different. Although, I do try to keep a bit of Tim in there!
How have you taken to the cross-dressing?
It’s ok! I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I am used to it now. Especially the high heels. Last time (Bedella toured the show in 2007) I was having to visit the chiropractor twice a week, and it nearly killed my back. But this time, I’m used to it, so it’s better.
What is the appeal of doing a show for so long?
I think it’s because every performance of the show is about a different audience, which changes it, and keeps everything fresh. Also, it’s great to see so much of the country. This tour goes to Scotland, Wales and Ireland, so I get to see lots of the UK. I can’t really complain. I’m paid well, and treated well, and the work is very satisfying. If it wasn’t, then it wouldn’t hold the same allure.
What are the downsides to touring?
Well, lots of places end up looking the same. I don’t mean the big cities, but some of the towns – though, obviously not the quaint little towns – can start to merge into one. Some places, we’ve been in theatres that haven’t been updated for 60 years, where there’s no hot water, no shower, and I’m trying to get changed in the back of a cupboard! I think people would be surprised about how unglamorous it is. There’s also lots of travel, which is hard, and I find that I am tired all the time, too.
You recently took Jerry Springer – The Opera to Australia. How was that received?
It was so much fun! It was brilliant to perform in such a venue, too. I’d dreamed about performing on the main stage at the Sydney Opera House, and it was really really exciting to perform there. I also got to work with David Wenham (star of 300, Lord Of The Rings, and Australia) and I was a huge fan. He’s such a great actor, and it was a thrill for me. That part is now in my DNA. Normally, when I start rehearsals for a show, I have a nightmare about the lines, and the high notes, but this time it was a done deal. It was nice to start rehearsals knowing that I can do it!
What are your dream parts that you’d still like to play?
I haven’t seen the recent film, but I’d love to play Guido Contini in Nine. I heard that they took a lot of his singing out of the movie,
but it really is a great singing role, and a great acting role, too. It’s a part about a mid-life crisis, and getting to re-examine your life, and the world around you. It feels like where I am in life, and it would be something to do on stage that would reflect that. Kind of a catharsis.
What theatre have you seen recently that impressed you?
This probably isn’t going to delight your readers, but I never ever go to the theatre. When you work on a stage for 6 nights a week, the last thing you want to do on your day off is to go on and see it!
Finally, in a nutshell, why should people come and see The Rocky Horror Show?
Because it’s a truly exciting and magical night of theatre; it’s the funniest and funnest!
*****
For more info on The Rocky Horror Show – Click Here
Tour dates are:
Mar 8 – 13 -CARDIFF – NEW THEATRE -029 2087 8889
Mar 22 – 27 -SHEFFIELD - LYCEUM THEATRE - 0114 249 6000
Mar 29 – 3 Apr -BELFAST – GRAND OPERA HOUSE - 028 9024 1919
Apr 12 – 17 -HULL -NEW THEATRE - 01482 226655
Apr 19 – 24 -NORTHAMPTON – ROYAL & DERNGATE - 01604 624811
Apr 26 – 1 May – PLYMOUTH - THEATRE ROYAL - 01752 267222
May 3 – 8 – CAMBRIDGE - CORN EXCHANGE - 01223 357851
May 10 – 15 – DARLINGTON – CIVIC THEATRE - 01325 486 555
May 17 – 22 – SOUTHSEA – KINGS THEATRE - 02392 828282
May 24 – 29 – NOTTINGHAM – ROYAL CENTRE - 0115 989 5555
May 31 – 5 Jun – OXFORD – NEW THEATRE - 0844 847 1585
Jun 7 – 12 – NORWICH - THEATRE ROYAL - 01603 630000
Jun 14 – 19 – SUNDERLAND – EMPIRE - 0844 8472499
Jun 21 – 26 – EDINBURGH – PLAYHOUSE - 0844 847 1660
*Please note David Bedella will not be appearing at Edinburgh
Jun 28 -3 Jul – ABERDEEN - HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE -01224 641122
*Please note David Bedella will not be appearing at Aberdeen
Jul 5 – 10 – BRISTOL – HIPPODROME - 0844 847 2325
Tags: David Bedella, Featured, Interview, Rocky Horror Show
