So the other day after speaking to some good friends in the “business“, we got on to talking about the show Robin Hood which is coming to the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in March and about Robin Hood himself who is being played by Chris Edgerley.
How could we not get hold of Chris and have a chat about himself, the Rhyl Pavilion and of course the show itself, which here at Blazing Minds we can’t wait to see, from what we have heard already it’s going to be a fantastic show.
OK, let’s get on with it folks, we spoke to Chris and had an informal Q & A with him, which are we are proud to bring to you, massive thanks to Chris for taking the time out for us and we can’t wait to catch up with him again soon.
Karen Chats With Robin Hood’s Chris Edgerley
Hi Chris, so many of our readers may know you from Channel 5s “Hi-5”, but with the Robin Hood tour coming to Rhyl, how would you describe time on TV to time on the boards?
I was a presenter on ‘Hi-5’ with CiTV, iTV1, iTV4, and Cartoonito for 6 years! This was a great time and although we are most know for the tv series we also did a stage tour alongside this. So I am no stranger to the “boards”. This will be my 7th panto! One of which when I was Aladdin here in Rhyl Christmas 2013/14. I loved it! And i love being on stage with the immediate audience response, to see the smiling faces of all the families watching is such a buzz!
When did you first know you wanted to become an actor?
I first wanted to become an Actor after as a child going to Liverpool empire to see Oliver, I remember seeing all the kids in that show and wanting so much to be one of them, this was shortly followed by seeing Jason Donovan as Joseph and then the “acting bug” was well caught. I joined youth drama groups and amateur dramatics in Southport where I was raised, and then when I was 18 I went to attend drama school in London.
What is the scariest part of an audition and what’s been your hardest audition?
The scariest part of an audition is trying to relax and not be nervous, the panel are on your side and wanting you to be brilliant, but sadly a lot of time nerves take over, so the skill is to control and hide them well, or turn them into a positive energy, this I am still trying to master – I still do get nervous. My hardest audition has to be for Starlight Express, I am not a natural skater so you can imagine the fear in my eyes and the concern I caused for all others in my path, I did not get that job! HA!
Is there a role that you would have loved to have played and it slipped through your fingers?
Yes, many, lots, loads! There are so many good roles out there in known plays and musicals that I want to do: Simon in Hayfever, Eddie in Blood Brothers, Zazu in Lion King, Romeo, I am also a massive fan of the plays and especially farces! This will happen for me when the time is right. But this career is so unpredictable and things have come up that I would never have guessed. I have been very fortunate to play Puck, been in three productions at The Royal Opera House, and children’s tv is something I would have never have guessed would have been my biggest job to date.
Have you ever forgotten your lines or a prop, or the choreography of a performance? What happened?
Yes to all the above, but that is the thrill of live theatre. Things are always going to go wrong sometimes your fault and mostly not your fault, but its the recovery which is the best bit. How you manage to get yourself back on track when you miss a line, forget a prop or indeed the moves. If you are true to the story you find a way that works and often makes the highlight of the show. Many a time I have seen others forget lines, props and choreography (maybe even at the same time), but when part of a team it’s nice to be able to help and rescue someone from that fearful moment!
Looking at your listing on IMDB, I see you were in Emmerdale in 2013, how was it being in one of the UKs most popular soaps and would you like to return or be part of another soap?
Emmerdale was amazing, I loved it. The cast and crew were all so welcoming, many of which had been there for years! It was a joy to temporarily join their team and I would kill to go back. I have been up for several other soaps since but its a fine tuning to get the right part for you at the right time, but I am in hope one day I will pop up in another soap. They are great and everyone on them works so hard.
Ok back to Robin Hood, can you tell our readers a little about your part in the show and a little about what you love about it and the show itself?
Robin Hood is a funny and adventurous story for the whole family. We have a brilliant cast in the show, new writing, animated projections done especially for us, and it’s a laugh-a-minute Easter show. The song and cast are brilliant. I can’t speak highly enough of the company and the show, it is definitely one worth seeing. We are filming a trailer for the show this weekend and it will be up on RobinHoodTour.co.uk very soon – so go check there to see it!
You’ve not long finished Aladdin at the Rhyl Pavilion, how would you compare a Christmas pantomime to Spring pantomime?
Christmas is a brilliant time of year, magical and with all the family and I love panto at Christmas. But Easter panto brings a whole new energy, you can’t rely on the magic of christmas so the magic and the story needs to be stronger than ever, jokes need to be funnier and characters need to be fuller. This show is high energy, brilliant dancers, magical sets and animations that transport you, and a very funny cast (including Phil Green comedy Impressionist from Britain’s Got Talent, and Josh Bennett from Channel 4’s Seven Dwarfs).
Final Question and I’m putting you on the spot here, if you could perform in a particular show in London or Broadway, what would it be and why?
That is a tricky one, but my favourite show at the moment is Book Of Mormon and the lead guy in that is a superb role. Also TV and film is booming so I would to get more opportunity in that directions. Either way it’s a competitive industry and I know how lucky i am to have had the opportunities I have had, and I hope they continue to come for me in the future. I do have a film coming out next month I filmed last year, am currently in the Low Cost Holiday adverts, and I am also currently in a production of ‘Norma Jeane‘ in London at the moment, before of course I go on the road with Robin Hood. It’s been a busy year and long may it continue – all my info can be found on my website ChrisEdgerley.com or on twitter @ChrisEdgerley.
Thank you Chris, I dare say our readers are looking forward to the show, I know we are, have a great weekend.
There you go folks, massive thank you to Chris for the chat and if you want to see Robin Hood at The Rhyl Pavilion and why wouldn’t you! It’s on the 30/31 March, book now at www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01745 33 00 00.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
