10:00pm Monday 23rd November 2009
By James Kershaw
HE may be famous for his jovial nature and comedy credentials, but the art of the pantomime is no laughing matter for Brian Conley.
“I take panto very seriously,” he says, without sporting the trademark smile which has made him a household favourite across Britain.
“You cannot just look good on the poster, there is a real art and energy to it.
“The bottom line is your audience spans the entire board, from four-year-olds to 90-year-olds.”
It’s no wonder the 48-year-old, who is starring in Cinderella at the Cliffs Pavilion, finds the form of musical comedy so endearing.
He’s been dipping in and out of pantomimes for three decades, ever since his first appearance in comedy show band Tomfoolery, in 1979’s production of Robinson Crusoe, at Swansea’s Grand Theatre.
“It’s the only genre that ticks all the boxes for me,” admits Brian, who’s starred in countless TV shows, films, musicals, performed stand-up and even recorded music albums.
“Pantomimes give you a freedom that’s not in other types of acting roles, and that’s important to me.
“I absolutely love doing them.”
This love looks set to continue if the panto’s Cliffs run is as successful as last year’s production at the Royal Centre, in Nottingham.
Featuring the same cast, which includes West End regular Michelle Potter as Cinderella, the panto grossed more than £1million, and was seen by 65,000 people, numbers Brian is confident can be topped this year.
“As long as the first week is packed I’ll take care of the rest,” he says.
“The story is all tied up and it’s just a skeleton for us to hang the comedy on.”
Despite his fondness for panto in general, there’s also clearly something special that keeps bringing Brian back to the role of Buttons.
“The character is a real favourite of mine,” he says.
“He’s like a cheeky, 13-year-old boy, and while I’m not 13, I am cheeky.
“In other roles you are shoe-horning the comedy, but with Buttons it just flows.
“You also get the ‘ahh’ factor like when Cinderella tells him she loves him as a brother, it really gets the crowd.”
But can Brian empathise with getting the knock-back?
“I’m Brian Conley, I don’t get rejected,” he jokes.
“I’ve been married 18 years, so I can’t really remember.”
Brian studied performing arts at the Barbara Speake Stage School, in London, and began acting in cabaret at the age of 16.
He soon graduated to TV, warming up for acts like Terry Wogan and Noel Edmonds, before earning his own sketch shows Brian Conley – This Way Up, and the Brian Conley Show.
Although the programmes proved extremely popular, spawning the characters Dangerous Brian, Larry the Loafer and the catchphrase “It’s A Puppet!”, the comedian says he never felt like he’d hit the big time.
“I just chipped away at it for many years,” he says.
“I cannot absolutely say there was a point when it all kicked off.
“The most valuable thing I learnt was how to be relaxed in front of a camera.”
Acting roles soon followed, including the well known Doug “Dynamo” Digby in the Grimleys, alongside Amanda Holden and Noddy Holder, as well as Bruno in the film Circus with John Hannah and Eddie Izzard.
He even landed a role in the dark, cult classic Equilibrium, starring Sean Bean and Christian Bale. Brian’s roles are not limited to the screen however, and he has performed in a number of notable West End roles such as Al Jolson, in Jolson, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and most recently crossdressing to play Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.
“I play a woman, a 22-stone woman at that, and it’s really funny,” he says.
“I have never done anything like that before, but I always do roles that challenge me.
“I love performing live and love the immediacy of it, so I’m really enjoyed it.”
Although Brian will return to the voluptuous role in February, next year, he’s spending Christmas in Southend while he performs in the panto, which runs from Saturday, December 12 to Sunday, January 10.
He admits the town holds a special place in his heart.
“My parents came on a bus from London to Southend in the Fifties,” says Brian.
“They met there, had a lovely time, kept in touch and now I’m here!
“So I have Southend to thank for my existence. I’m delighted to be doing panto here.”
Brian’s co-star Michelle, whose West End credits include West Side Story and Cats, also says she’s also happy to be in Southend and back alongside a familiar Buttons.
“It’s nice to be by the sea, and it’s certainly something different,” says Michelle, originally from Leeds.
“It’s one of those roles that all girls aspire to and I’m really excited to be doing it again.”
About 35,000 tickets for the panto, sponsored by Southend’s Victoria shopping centre, have already been snapped up. Prices range from £10 to £23.50. To book call 01702 351135 or visit www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk
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