Sep
Over the past decade – and across both The Haymarket and Curve in Leicester– Paul Kerryson has entertained and challenged theatre goers, directing work as diverse as Absurd Person Singular, The King and I, the European premiere of The Light in the Piazza by Adam Guettel, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh. He is, perhaps, best loved among Leicestershire audiences for the raucous and camp extravaganza that is Hot Stuff. dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE caught up with Paul as he prepares for one of his biggest challenges to date…
When did you first get into theatre?
It was in the 80s. Out of the blue I saw an open audition advert for the musical GODSPELL – it was very X Factor. I had to queue with 500 other people outside of Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. I think I had natural ambition and the killer instinct. I stood on the stage and auditioned – I couldn’t even see the audience or the panel – one of which was Cameron Mackintosh himself – and I got the job. I stayed with the production for 4 years as it toured.
After GODSPELL, I started as an actor and choreographer at the Manchester Library Theatre, including working on the European premiere of FOLLIES and PACIFIC OVERTURES. A few years later, the Director said, ‘I think you could direct a musical – what would you do?’ – I chose a then little known musical called CHICAGO, which won me many awards and set me off on the directing trail.
From there, I became Artistic Director at Oldham Theatre where I directed many new plays and classics. This was a very short stay as within twelve months I was in Leicester at the Haymarket Theatre.
You are the Artistic Director at Curve and before that Leicester Haymarket – for those who have yet to visit Curve, how does it differ to the Haymarket? Has the new venue changed the way that you approach theatre – for example has it made you more adventurous, or do the commercial pressures of filling a massive venue affect your productions?
The brief for the architect was to design a physically and spiritually open and accessible theatre – the reverse of the Haymarket, which was two levels up on the top of a shopping centre. This is why we have the fantastic moving walls, which give us so many exciting options for breaking down traditional barriers between artists and audiences.
For the first two years there was some reluctance to this unconventional but inspiring building. But in the past twelve months, we’ve grown into our identity and built a head of steam and, in the last year, I’ve not had one person say to me ‘we miss the Haymarket’. Over the past year, audiences have been enjoying very successful shows, such as THE KING AND I, Matthew Bourne’s DORIAN GRAY, HOT STUFF, THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG – and by virtue, they’ve been enjoying the building too.
You’re so well-known for directing musicals; we’d love to know who you consider to be the ultimate composer of our times? Or best ever? And why?
Stephen Sondheim is a genius. He is everything; his works are pieces of contemporary art. My favourite song from a Sondheim musical would be Priest from SWEENEY TODD. It’s witty, scary – like a complete production of its own within a show.
The big news this autumn is that you’re bringing 42nd Street to Curve. It is the inspiring story of small-town girl Peggy Sawyer and her meteoric rise from chorus line hoofer to Broadway star. It’s packed with show-stopping numbers including We’re in the Money, Keep Young and Beautiful, Lullaby of Broadway and of course the spectacular title number, 42nd Street. We’re very excited about it here in the dluxe office, but tell us why everyone should come and see this production…
As an uplifting song and dance musical, it’s the best by far. It’s an energising show, about youth and exuberance and is pure entertainment from start to finish. It’s an emotional story with very well-known musical numbers, which hit the senses.
It’s one of the most disciplined shows too – its lots of hard work and the most energetic dance show I’ve come across.
Following the fantastic response to THE KING AND I, I wanted to direct another feel-good, family musical this Christmas. I directed 42ND STREET last year in Chichester and it was such a hit and a joy to do, that I had to bring it home to Leicester!
Sounds amazing. Looking further ahead to the Spring, we hear you are sprinkling some of your magic on the story of Gypsy? Is this true and tell us what we can expect…
It’s true! I have never directed Gypsy before. Caroline O’Connor is playing the lead – she and I go back a long way: she was Roxy in Chicago back in the nineties, but has since gone on to be a truly international star in everything from Moulin Rouge to Mack & Mabel. Her playing the leading role of ROSE – perhaps the ultimate role for a musical actress – is quite a coup for us here at Curve. I’m immensely proud to be a part of it.
42nd Street @ Curve is 2 Dec – 14 Jan 2012. Tickets are on sale now from the Curve Box Office. Visit www.curveonline.co.uk or call 0116 242 3595.
