Up 'n' Under at Hull Truck Theatre 23/07/2004 Cast Interview By Andy Dykes

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After the show, I'm in the foyer of Hull Truck Theatre, when the actors walk out and head for the bar. They're all very relaxed and approachable. A number of members of the audience walk over to offer their thanks and congratulations. All are met with smiles and handshakes. As James Weaver - who plays Phil - waits at the bar for some drinks, I decide it'd be nice to go and have a few words. He's very relaxed and easy to talk to, and seems genuinely pleased to be congratulated on his performance.

How did you manage to keep a straight face when that woman was in hysterics during you dream sequence scene? James Weaver: "With great difficulty. I milked it a bit, but I couldn't not [Martin Barrass walks over]. But we're not allowed to milk things in this run. John [Godber] has really tightened the reins this time." Martin Barrass: "But he's gone on holiday! Woohoo! Out come the fluorescent wigs! No, he's really sticking to the script this time. We're just doing everything as he says." But there's no real need to do anything extra is there? [Rob Angell walks over and stands with us] MB: "No. I mean, what a script. And you don't mess with John. He's quite formidable." How do you like performing is such an intimate venue as Hull Truck? MB: "It's brilliant isn't it? It's such a great venue". JW: "Tonight was the lowest turnout we've had so far." [All three of them nod]. MB: "But the crowds have all been fantastic." Are you glad the storyline has reverted back to its original stage ending, rather than following the ending of the film version? MB: "Oh [rolls eyes]. Well the film was a travesty". It loses its potency a bit when they win doesn't it? MB: "Absolutely. But John said he simply couldn't get funding for a film if the team didn't win. If he wanted the film, the team had to win. If you remember at the beginning of the play, the Wheatsheaf Arms hadn't even won a point. And in the game at the end they win 19! And they lose. But their success in the game all stems from Frank's [Rob Angell] headbutt. It's then they realise that the opposition are just flesh and blood too. It's a show about real people and if they win, a sense of that is lost. So how's the run going for you guys? MB: "Really well thanks." They all nod and smile. And then I have to go. I shake hands with them all, and wish them luck with the rest of the run. I wish I'd left them with a more poignant question, but I've had a really good evening, and they were great people to chat to. Go see 'Up 'n' Under'. I promise you'll like it. And you might get to chat to the cast afterwards.

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