Peter Pan flies into The Alexandra, Birmingham next month for a six-show musical spectacular later this month.
Running from Wednesday 22nd to Saturday 25th November, ‘Peter Pan - A Musical Adventure’ will take the audience on a magical musical journey through Never Land as Peter Pan, Wendy and The Lost Boys fight to defeat the dastardly Captain Hook and his Pirates.
Founded in 1886, as the oldest musical theatre company in the Midlands and one of the oldest theatre companies in Britain, BMOS has been entertaining audiences for more than 130 years. Until 1922 the Company productions were mainly Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas performed at the now long-gone Birmingham Institute, moving to the Alexandra Theatre in 1923 and an annual production of more contemporary musical entertainment. They have entertained tens of thousands of people now for more than 130 years and raised many thousands of pounds for local charities. The Company has also fostered many stars on stage and screen including Jon Boyden, recently a lead player in the Jersey Boys in London’s West End and Margaret Preece who appeared in and was the voice of Carlotta (Minnie Driver) in the film version of The Phantom of the Opera.
Ahead of their performances, I interviewed Alistair Joliffe who will be playing Captain Hook. Alistair’s love of musical theatre has seen him on stage in many lead roles over the years - his favourites include Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Wild Bill Hickok in Calamity Jane, Baron Bomburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Gomez in The Addams Family, Fred Graham/Petruchio in Kiss Me Kate, Harold Hill in The Music Man and Fagin in Oliver! He’s also performed in numerous pantomimes, from hero to villain and Dame!
How does it feel to be playing a baddie?
I've played various roles over the years, so, you know, I’ve played baddies before. I guess the last added I did for BMOS, was the Baron Bomburst in Chitty Bang Bang a few years ago. It's a lot of fun playing a villain rather than a sibling or a romantic lead or the goody two shoes because you can play with it more.
What's the rehearsal process like for you all?
So, we usually spend around four or five months on a production, and that will consist of two rehearsals a week, and then nearer to the show it'll be 3. Closer to the show is when everything begins to come together because we're balancing this production alongside our everyday lives.
How do you how do you go about that process of learning lines?
I mean lots of people have lots of different methods that they use that work, not work for some. Some people get friends and family to read their lines with them. I like to record every other person's line and then say my line silently in the gaps and then that is a good way for me to be able to rehearse what my lines are. Not only that, but I can also learn what my cues are from other people. It's not only about memorising your lines, but you've got to remember where your line comes in the dialogue or the scene, which helps if you learn other people's lines as well. So, if their cue is slightly off, then you know this is my time to come in.
What's it like being part of BMOS?
Oh gosh, it's a lovely, good company because I've performed with lots of different companies across the West Midlands over the years. But BMOS is great. I mean, it's been running for so many years. It's one of the oldest companies in the country, let alone in the Midlands. And it's just full of people who are keen to get together, perform and put on the best show they really can. It's never sort of being played by Divas and such, it's just nice. Company. It is just a bunch of theatre like-minded people and that's lovely.
And do you enjoy performing on stage at the Alexandra Theatre?
I mean, I'll not lie, it's an absolute honour and privilege to be allowed to perform at that venue. Because of course, I've performed in lots of different venues in the Midlands, but to be allowed to perform on the stage of the Alexandra Theatre is a luxury without a doubt. Because it's a large professional theatre but the audience still feels close enough to feel their responses. If I were to boast a little bit, I would say it's a testament to the quality, although we are an amateur group of the whole production put on by BMOS.
Do you have any pre- or post-show rituals before you go up on stage?
I mean, I will say the nerves are always there. I don't think I have anything particular. But I do like to tend to get to the theatre early and in good time just so that I can settle in because I don't want to feel rushed in makeup or costume or warming up. I think I just like the standard routines of getting ready for a show and being with the group. I sometimes like to have a little walk around the stage and backstage and go by where the props and things will be, just to make sure I feel comfortable and ready. Like most people, I do always get very nervous about going on stage and it's always that 10 seconds or that 30 seconds when you're standing in the wings. You're either waiting for your musical cue or the dialogue queue and you're about to step out and you think what am I doing here, but of course, as soon as you step out, the rehearsal kicks in. You're in the zone, you know what you're doing. It's just putting on a show.
How would you sum up your delivery of Captain Hook?
I mean, I think the point is to stress this isn't a pantomime. But this is a new stage, full stage music musical version. I do like the music of this, it's good and this helped in the actual story really, well. I think that for me, of course, there were moments of the typical Captain Hook being the villain, the body. But I also think about tapping into the other side of him. Because of course, we know that he fears the crocodile and that he is jealous, perhaps, of Peter Pan, which is something I think we delve into a little bit more, particularly through some of the songs in the musical. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone today, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised by some of the musical numbers.
Alistair also highlighted the incredible work that BMOS are doing with the wider community in the West Midlands. Sisters Chantelle and Mya Scott successfully auditioned for the theatre show following an introduction to the production team by free@last, a Nechells-based charity which works to provide opportunities for young people in its local area. Since August, Chantelle and Mya have been rehearsing with the rest of the cast as they prepare to bring the legend of Peter Pan to life for audiences of up to 1,300 people at The Alexandra. It's incredible opportunities like these that allow young people to pursue their interests and experience moments like this.
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