you're listening to the Broadway podcast network. Hello. This is Stephanie J. Block, and you're listening to a Broadway podcast network. Hi, Aunt Lara. Been anti and you're listening to the Broadway podcast network. Hi, this is Alex Brightman and I played Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice. The musical, the musical, the musical and you're listening to Broadway Podcast Network. I am normal, Louis, and you're listening to the Broadway podcast Network. I remain caramel and welcome to my podcast,

the hangar where I get to hang out with some of my friends and get some much needed face to face time and talk about well, whatever. Today I get to hang with Padley Fraser, my great friend whom I look up to and have had the fortune of working with on several occasions. A star of the stage in the United Kingdom, Broadway in New York City and has had concerts that have taken Amos Faras Japan. He's a musician writer all around, exceptional human being. Padley, Frasier and I both made our Western debuts in layman's around. We have been friends ever since. In our hang, we talk nonsense about fitness, shared equal admiration for each other, our time and lame is the Phantom 25th anniversary at Royal Albert Hall and shared great insight on how he approaches his work as an actor and the aspirations for and his journey in, developing the character and stained true,

the arterial intense. Hadley also talks about how he developed as a writer. I also learned three new words in his podcast. You sent temerity and sub summation amongst the many gems he shared. I also love the sentence that came out in our conversation. Music has such a potential to shift people and change what's going on inside them badly. I think you do the same, brother. Thanks for the heads. Here is part one of our hands Lane, German. Welcome to the hang with Hadley. Fraser. My body was going. This is nice. How you

doing that? Chair the chair to see what this is. The issue with the chair here is that the seat is really low in comparison with the arm rests. So if you could imagine what it feels like to be a child, I feel like a child.

What? Maybe it depends on torso length and upper body length.

I think you're more like custom. I think I'm discovering today that I've obviously got quite a squat. It's also so that was quite narrow chested, as opposed to yourself. He's quite

broad, and we'll talk about that. Okay, Wait. Will actually grab because you're the reason for you. What? Oh, am I? Yeah. Okay. Just to finish off this fine point, it begs the question when they decide to build these chairs economically. Yeah. Is that a Norwegian company? They're relatively.

They're very good about tall all if you mean what I mean. Yeah, I do. I still feel like, um

I believe we are not still, uh, get it in the edit. Someone just walked in. So it depends that we should find out where these were made

because I'm not gonna buy any chairs from this manufacturer.

No, but if you're Scandinavian, perhaps these

are the chairs for you or just long in the torso.

Long in the Taurus.

Yeah. Yeah, I feel very. I feel like I've sort of got my elbows on a wall, right. You know what I mean? Yeah, I'm peeking over the wall like a sort of interested child or curious dog.

However, in that I'm very comfortable in this year's you go. Well, I might get my God by the office. Yeah. Yeah. You started me. You kicked off the whole fitness thing for me. I don't think that date

you did you were sort of working out things. Anyway.

Then I was doing Saturday night T shirt muscles sort of workouts, but at that point, Okay, so at that point, I was getting, you know, when you do self tapes and your agent gives you a little feedback Yeah, I got the old Hey, be careful with the angle. The camera. When you sit down,

you just look a bit pudgy. Oh, how old were you at the time?

I must have been early thirties, maybe 30.

There was no intent to the pride.

I blame the shirt. At that point, I claim sharing the tailor. And then yes, this because then I did Val John with you. Yes. Famous. Yeah. And, ah, opening night. I'm getting dressed, sir. Cameron walks in saying I'm a mechanized producer. At that point, my shirt was off because I was putting a brand on. Yeah,

because, well, someone's in the thirties, darling. And he pointed at my belly.

So that's That's another thing that was that was probably more of a contributing factor. They wasn't

it. And let me just say it didn't bother me at all. Right? And I'm not sensitive like that. Yeah, oddly, I'm more sense another more in shape I get now, the less secure

AM about my body. Yeah. See, I think that's aged. I think you know, the insecurities grow and grow as you get older,

even though, without sounding like a dick, I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life.

Good for you. But what I'm saying, it's get more insecure when aesthetically I feel like That's great. I'm so okay.

It's okay. It's terrific. What you talking about?

You were never a muscle, Mary. You want to be that nice guy, was

it might not seem muscle Mary.

So yeah, I don't be upset. Yeah. No. Yeah. No, that's fine. Apologies to marry. Listen, So

that was the second thing. And then one night, I think I'm watching a film with Mandy. I looked down and she looked at me, my hands arresting my stuff. You know, when you Yeah. Yeah, Well, you better

do something about that. Should

do something about that. And now you fast forward. We're in Florida Disneyland after a day in the park. At that point in the hotel, there's like infomercials all the time. Yeah, nothing else on TV. So we're getting ready for bed. The infomercials on and it's insanity. That progress. You ready to get insane? Shaun? Shaun T. Yeah. And I kept watching that because it was on every night. I'm like, Well,

of course that's gonna work. If you do, it is no gimmick. That's hard work. And then I got onto Facebook when I was on Facebook and when you were on Facebook, which no longer Yeah, I saw a photo of you, and I was like, Man, you look at Hadley. You look amazing. So I message you, dude, I gotta say, you're looking great what you're doing. And you said funny enough.

I've been doing this thing called insanity. That's a man. He's doing insanity. And Manny goes, I've just ordered it. Did you?

I didn't realize You just don't hear all happen like that's like,

that's what's happened. And I thought you looked amazing and I was aging.

Yeah, I felt that way, and I was like Tommy Rest.

Tell me Rest. I was like, I gotta do something about it. And if it's working for you and you're doing it, I'm gonna do it. Yeah. And then

I only did it because our very vain reasons, because I had to get my top off in a show for pajama game in What was the 2013? Maybe something on? Um, yes. So I did that. And then I sort of didn't. I have to say

I did do it for vain. Vanity reasons, of course, at that point. But now I go because I just find a mental.

Do you find it better for your state of being 100%? You know, I wish I I wish I had the motivation to keep doing it. Yeah,

but you have other outlets, I suppose. Yea. Yeah. Not busy

enough that I could rule out doing that, you know, to four times a week. What you gonna do about making excuses yet is about my eyes the way here to talk about fitness. No, because that's how something I feel necessarily qualify. I'm

not qualified to talk about it. I just do it. But I'm not qualified. Talk about But I just want to give you props for help Change my

life. Well, I wouldn't go that far. I think you were going that way anyway. And I think it helped that Mandy. Then go

going which way?

But there's something that I've always admired about you. And I mean this sincerely is that you've always been very good about going. I want to do X. I'm going to devote time to learning how to do it to putting the time in to do it, to devoting oneself to doing it. And you still do that to this day? Like when I think about like when we first started writing together and so on and so forth, you know, like playing guitar playing and banjo playing the piano. That was something that I don't think you've done a great deal of it that say so. You basically just went right. I'm gonna teach myself. I'm gonna seek out learning from other people, have a lesson from that person over there who's gonna be the best person to collaborate with. And now I mean, you're better guitarist, and I am Get out.

You probably are Go on. There we go. But I have to say it's something that I find continued that this is just gonna is this gonna be a sort of mutual admiration fest? If it is, that's fine way we'll get We'll get to the side of the gang. That's the whole point. So there's something I find very inspiring that you continually find the motivation to self educate self improve. What? However, you want to call that Andi, that's something that I feel is really easy to lose as you get older in life.

Yeah, but don't you find the more success you get as well. And if you do some awesome things, I don't want it to end. I don't want to feel like they say, I don't know how you go up the ladder to fall harder. It is to fall down, and I don't want to rest on laurels. And I think if you rest on laurels and you just do the same thing at some point, how you improving, how you growing completely agree? Yeah, Why would anyone if you're doing the same thing all the time, where you were?

Is that why you keep? Is that why you keep sort of seeking out new things and new experiences and new you don't mean, is it?

Is it one 100%? That's why I'm even doing this like I don't know what I'm doing. And I Just when you have support of a label behind you in the Broadway podcast network saying, I think this would be great, you should do it. I think, Well, if you think I should do it, then I'll give it a shot. Yeah, And that's what happened with Val John. When cameras like do do me a favor and playful John, remember you were there the It's the first time I talked myself into audition. Really? Well, he offers me the part. I go.

This is during the Phantom 25th. I said, Well, let's get this out of the way. I'm gonna come sing it for you because I didn't think I could sing it. And even now if they want me to do it, I'd be like, I don't think I can sing it. You could remember you were there.

I don't see how it really bad memory. Where was this?

It was downstairs. Where was Mamma Mia? That theater. Prince Edward was downstairs in the bar. Oh, yeah, The booth conference confrontation. Oh, yeah. Gold. We didn't realize. They're like, Let's just see what you guys do. You and then they go sing to it. Seriously? What? We couldn't mess around then, huh? Is that what

you mean? Serious? Like we did a seriously or you could wait. Who was there in the room?

Cameron, do you really remember that? Ever, right. Uh, James Orange. It was casting again, right? Okay, there's one more person, maybe the director. Okay. I don't remember Chris Key. Maybe. Right. Okay. And we had to do the confrontation, and then they go romancing to prayer. And you said, like Theo watch.

That's temerity, isn't it? That's too much. I should have come out at that point. I probably was just very intrigued. Was I playing about Java? Yeah. There you are. Then.

How great was that? Four months together.

So it was really great fun. It sort of felt like we come full circle in a way, you know what I mean? Like, my my love for for lame is is is it's sort of very complicated in a way because I didn't know it at all before we did it the first

time around when you were married,

huh? Ah, and so I I don't know how you felt, but I didn't have this great sort of love for it that people people have. No, because I didn't like it. I didn't. And then obviously, with my first professional job, I don't think it was close. Far?

No. It would have been my your third gig, right

when I was 22. And

you would 48. You looked great that I was 24 rounds. How younger? You know,

39. Ah, Big 40 next year. Next. Yeah, but it feels to me like we kind of I think we came back to it. Why? I came back to again, like a decade later. I mean, that felt like accelerated aging, though, to go from Marius to Java in 10 years like Michael's just done it. Did Marius in the very first. When was that? 1984 1985 85. Just playing Javert now,

like that feels right to me. Yes. Directed it in, I think under 10 years, which feels like what's happening. I don't know, Accelerated aging, Well known. Michael. What? There you go. Do you know, you could would you know what I mean? Are we allowed to talk about this with you? Go back and do it again? If they said if the timing was right, You know,

I don't think Lehman was anyone the spot. No, no. If we could talk about anything as well. But I don't think lame is is anything to Satan? I don't think you can ever completely say no to Who knows if all the cards lineup and it makes sense, it's such a good Oh, it's going to be and so wonderful. I still love Al John. Yeah, who knew when John never wanted to play it? I always wanted to play Javert. Now

he and I wanted to play Val John, Let's swap. No, it's far too much like hard work. Well, John, I just I can't think about like like I have a friend and we have a toast every time you see one another. And the toast is no heavy lifting and vow. John just feels like such heavy

lifting all night long.

You know what I mean? And that's funny because when I came out to college, that was a sort of role that I coveted role that I was desperate for heavy lifting roll with the high B flats and the showy offy thing. And now I just go Just give me the one where I can, you know, mutter along in the middle of my range. You have a cup of tea. Ah, little

doll Roller at an f sharp eye. And that's a good

you know. Now I'm so I suppose I'm being facetious slightly but those those they are un undertaking those parts on that. I mean, you specialize in them to a certain extent, you know what I mean? Like those.

But it's getting to a point now where I get I have a bit more anxiety about singing these days. Massively, Yeah,

I think I think that's an age thing or just inexperience thing. Or just because that's what happens

when you get older. Maybe all of the above, Maybe we're not. We've been very lucky to have to diversify careers to go you with plays, film and TV. I'm shooting film now, so we're not in that eight shows a week grind, where you get to RF it, don't you?

I guess so. Yeah,

you do. So when I look back and I I get anxious about doing actuals a week, I'd like to be back in a show at some point, and I I start myself thinking, Why am I can't anxious you. You've done it for 10 years. Non stop.

Yeah, I think that's that's a JJ. I mean, I'm starting eight shows a week again in March,

which I'm so excited. I get to see

it this time. You didn't see it last time? No City of Angels. By the way, which is going

Eric Theater. Your home? Yeah, I'm from home. I

know you will be my fourth show that Garrick I think fourth. Sure. Well, we did. That's not quite technically 2 to 2 of those were in rep with each other. So I suppose is my third stint working with wonderful, sir. Get in. Yeah, that's right. Um I remember when that was maybe 34 years ago. Now, um,

I remember because I picked you up one night. Yeah, we went out for a dinner. Something you on? I was out front. I go, I'm out front cop in and you hopped in. That's Vegas

beard. Yeah, that was a big bid. I think that I think might be It's been bigger than that that I was proud of that bid your best beard

when I was Viljoen in Canada. Did you just let it go? That was big time. Yeah, Yeah.

See, I'd be more confident growing beards now than doing eight shows a week. Let's do that. The singing thing. It really like I find myself. I suppose that first time we did Les Miz in 2002 to go I mean, not to put too fine a point on it could go out drinking on the rest of it. Come in the next morning. You could and did, and I did. And it wouldn't affect voice in understanding was there. These days I go, you know, I have to really alter my my, um, my lifestyle. You know, that's

what being a dad being a dad, because

that doesn't make it because your energy levels are different energy levels Easy, definitely different. Getting up at 6 30 every day is difficult, especially if you get home from a show the night before at midnight on dure up six hours

later. That's hot. You know what I find even just the energy of your interaction right away. It's boom, you're going. Even if you're not talking, you can you can, you know, keep your voice. You don't have to say words, but like when I do a show in Japan and it's just me and you wake up and it's selfish, but you only have yourself to worry about. There's a slower pace. Yeah, and there is just interacting with people. That's your day has started and it's a win win. Kids

are young. Yeah, and they notice also, I think it's if you want. If you are preserving yourself slightly on, then that guilt thing kicks in. I'm going. No, man. What? I'm resting my voice, and my little one wants to play on. Now I'm going. I can't play with you, sweetheart, because I need to rest my voice. And suddenly you know that the burden on a very first world problem,

But seven, you just go, OK? I will. I'll play with you, and then an hour later, you think Well,

I'm not gonna be able to see the show. It breaks my heart. I still go to every now and then I'll be like, No, I should rest in. And the other day Hadley's like what? What do you want to come out, play basketball? And I think I was I was just tired, you know? I was doing a long film ings that can look out the window and seeing plane shooting hoops on his own. I was like I looked a man. I got to go out. I can't do this. I'm gonna cry if I stay in and we had the best time, But it's why don't you say yes right away? But you you trying to bounce so much and you think you're doing it right and then you see a lonely little black

and white on his own. So you go. You have to do that, I suppose. And now we think about myself. You know, whenever we started in the business 20 years ago and I remember thinking about I mean, I don't want to get into, like, parents have it bad because no one forces you to have a kid like this is our responsibility, and I don't moan about it cause it's wonderful. But I think about how I saw parents

back then. I went. Why are

they so like, where they're going home. Like, why aren't they coming up for a beer? And now I think, Oh, my God. What I want to do is

go. I love going home. It isn't it the best? OK, be honest. Yeah. The idea of coming in today I want to

do this was lovely, actually. Go on the the idea now off being and this is where I really have to catch myself because you have to think about how much we gave to be doing what we're doing and how many other people would give to be doing what we're doing now. But I suppose six months into a run in the theater gets to about that 3 30 time, especially in the winter. And you go arm I gotta I gotta go in. I gotta get on the train. I gotta go and give the gift of laughter by thousands of people, you know? And that's the moment where you go. Ah, coming in to do this. You know, this was lovely.

I'm glad you said you know, a real wake up call for me. And and thank God it happened early was I think I was Phantom of the time. And this Ah, lovely older couple on a matinee came to stage door. I'm talking. They said this was amazing. Uh, met on exceeded our expectations. We were saving three months for these tickets, and I will never leaving. So I thought I'm not saying I hit a home run. Every show I know, I try to. Yeah, the rest is my lap of the gods. Yeah,

and I haven't beholder ear of the beholder. Whatever. Because I don't I'd some from you to say that was a great show or not, right, But were there with the right intention. Imagine, that was a show. Where you we just called it in? Yeah. I can't do that, man. I I'd rather just Yeah, that was hard work. But

how do you feel then? If you know you're sick, you know your voice is gone or something, and you have to take a night or two off because that's the thing at the moment, isn't it? You know, there was a bit of a thing about I believe about Alfie and Mountain people going off in. Les Miz and other people feel very strongly about this. But

if it's hard when it's advertised, especially for the talent on equal part of the show, I guess in that situation that's a unique situation. But a 10 day humans are humans. Yeah, you can only do so much agreed, and I don't know what to say at each to their own, as long as you know you've done all you can to make it happen. 12 month contract, eight shows a week or sexual is a week. If you have an alternate, depending on apart like Val John, it's at some point if you get sick, you get sick, and I don't think any amount of technique or steroid injections if your body

saying enough. So you gotta have a ready. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Especially if you're gonna do yourself long term damage in the future on dure, going to damage the show in a more sort of metaphorical context. If someone is going to come and see the show, I'm not going to get the best experience because you're under. I think that's okay

and I get it. It's sexual. Those who have paid that money to see See a certain person. But it is

what it is. You know, Human. That's what I love doing place. Yeah. Not having to worry about the voices. Blessing. It's so nice,

you know? Do you find yourself siren ing threatening? Like certainly

know if I'm doing place? If I'm doing a musical, I've become I'm now so conscious about my voice. Yeah,

because we're gonna have dinner after this. Yeah, And you made a point, You know? You any alcohol? Yeah. Huh? Reason are you prepping

for a CD? Yeah, I would say that's true. Um uh, just in general, I felt I feel that I'm better when I don't drink. Now, in the days as well, I have more energy to do things, more energy to write more energy to. They concentrated and then do other things as well. But yeah, it's probably 50 50 between that and also because I want when I finished at the national a couple of weeks ago, I just want us is great. And, you know, you put the fire on and suddenly think I'll have a beer or have a glass of wine, and then suddenly it becomes a bottle. And so you That's just a little thing to kind of go all hang on a minute. Maybe I'm using This is a bit of a crutch rather than as a treat as a reward of whatever you get

to a point where you were, you know, come to a clock and you were thinking about Oh, yeah, I was doing it with Mandy back in when the weather was nice and Jim was That was the virgin. Yeah, that's the thing that we'd be filming. And I would start thinking, you know, because if you have a long day filming you have a couple scenes left or is that slight little dip of Energon yin? You find a way to bring it up? Yeah, I was getting me excited. Was that June on? Kept talking myself to have a problem. I'm only have the one. And then I'd ask Mandy like we're good, right? Yeah, we don't need We don't have to have the general, but we are,

But it's nice to.

And then I realized I was having this conversation with myself and her every day for past two months. I said, OK, enough gin for now. Yeah, it's just, I think I

think being able to call a halt to it probably means that everything's fine, isn't it? But I definitely think that I'm sort of looking ahead and going right. Let me just check in with myself that I know that when March comes back round again, I know that I can live that existence that I need to live. Cut all of that out so I can be on six days a week for 56 months or whatever it is.

The City of Angels. That's a big thing, right?

Um, it's quite the stuff that's there is quite Hi, I suppose. And, ah, it's quite fun. It's got exposed. Um, there's like a big solo right the top of the show. Then there's a big duet at the end of Act one. And then there's some funny, which is, I suppose, this sort of 10 o'clock number at the end of Act two. And then there's another duet at the end. It is actually not low is not a huge, huge thing, but it's certainly in that register now where I think I can't just do it unthinkingly right. I can't. I can't just live a life unthinkingly on, then expect my voice to be there.

So you're gonna when you get into the run of things. How are you with warming up religious now?

Really? Yeah.

And I use it to be No, you

seem to be. You sent? Yeah. Used to not. Yeah, you sent. But that's

what I'm

learning. New words say go. You can have that one are using it to be of it. Uh, yeah. I used to be very blase about that, but now I'm very religious. I find myself Simon. And during the day to you,

Yeah, I don't need to, but even when you're filming and no, 100% really unset Hobie Yeah. Can we take a lining? And just what am I doing? I'm just

because that's just one of that's just in you now, isn't it? It's just

Yeah, I still do the good. Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Let's go. Even before filming. That's incredible. No reason,

Gino. Ah, that's that's just that's in built in you now, isn't it? Yeah, that's never going to go. But I guess because

singing is not far is always around the corner. whether it's a concert. Yeah, man, You've

always got something in the pipeline there, haven't you? I don't. I mean, I'm not that I don't have that sort of necessarily that shed. You'll sort of booked out. So I don't know what to say. Except I Sometimes I just got out. No, I'm not seeing for another six months.

No, next 18 months is crazy. Not much to like the producer of hold. These are so good to write around everything. But part of me sometimes went, What if they just said no? I just had one thing to worry about, but they're like, we'll work around your schedule. We know you do other things. Great. Thank you. And at the time, I think that is amazing. Then I look at my calendar is like, Why didn't you say how far enough on? So you put up. I think that I've been a prisoner like middle to 21 right now. 2021.

And we are mobile because of concerts and tours and all other things. Everything.

Very grateful. It's amazing. However, So you're warming up. Is that something you will always wait to do at

the theatre? Um It depends on the voices feeling if I wake up, my voice is feeling okay. I'll trust it, and then I'll get to the theater and warm up.

At what point do you think it's just not happening because you rarely go off? Um, that's why I know about it when you do. You

might guess so. Frankenstein. By the end of that year, I was off more than I'd like to have been. But that was a heavy.

It wasn't a singing

so much. It was like the shouting. Do you find that? Yeah, there was a lot of script in that, and it was because it was quite high comedy like Mel Brooks. Very kind of patter comedy, I felt by the end my stamina had decreased, I suppose, and I couldn't get back to a sort of level level point. Also acid reflux suddenly, like as an old person, considering, um, no old person. But as as someone who's been in the business a little bit of time now, suddenly one.

Where's that come from? And why is that affecting May again? Something that 20 years ago I wouldn't even a thought about. Now I have to go right. Have to consider my diet the way that I sleep. All of this stuff, which is fine, isn't it? Like it's the first world problem. But I suppose I just have to think about it now. So when do I think it's not there? I guess probably by about two o'clock,

maybe if there's no turn around. Yeah. Why? How about you? Ah, I guess.

I mean, there's always those times. Well, so people is to go. I'm sure it'll be okay. Yeah, I'll keep going, and then you get to the theater and you do this sort of group warm up and you go all got Oh, no, it's just not there. It's so clean up on. Actually, by the end of Frankenstein, there was one show that I had to take everything down the octave. I sounded like, you know, a sort of mega bass doing it, and I had to take three or four days off because I racked

my voice. Did you ever get that point? Because, you know, like sometimes they cut off the company rules like 3 33 25 like, I don't know. Now get more anxious palpitations, Daniel. Then you do it, but the worst. Like with Les Miz, you, no matter how you sound, you start off with Think it sounds great, But

that's also the thing, isn't it? Sometimes you can you get through the warm up and you think it's absolutely there. And I think that says a significant shift between the warm up. Yep, and doing it in anger suddenly facing an audience. Sometimes your voice can just let's not relive this. No, I'm getting nervous and I feel like I'm on tonight. Yeah. Oh, God put the understudies.

So what are you doing for prep for City of Angels?

Um is the reason I ask is I know locally speaking or just in terms of the play itself, all of the

above Because I find you inspiring as an actor as a person. And I know you're a great writer or up and coming writer. You're doing

a lot of that. I guess so. So

trying to and I know you, you've done a lot of workshops and teaching because what's the school You were fish Royal Academy music? No, I know that's where you went, but there was a school teacher

for a while. Oh, I told her Performance preparation Academy in Guilford. Yeah. I'm still mama.

Patron, they're amazing. Yeah, I know. I would love to audit one of those guys and sit in to see what you tell people. Because I love your work and what I just saw. Nah, how? I say so. It was the play adjusted, and oh, the antibodies, antibodies. I want to go back to my roots. That was one of the best things I've seen you do. You were incredible. How you just lived in that space is the character you never dropped The energy never dropped the ball.

I remember looking that Alexandra my agent I came with, you know? Well, it's like there's a force to be reckoned year with. Don't have other. You're a great brother. So I want to know how you prep is an actor. And now, obviously with City of Angels, you have to prep the music and voices. Well, yeah, I guess so. So those who will hopefully be listening besides me? Think back to this. My own boy that had these great I know they're gonna want to hear how you prep.

Yeah, I suppose it's changed over the years. Now, um, I think I I'm a great believer in authority A ll intent. And I suppose what I mean by that is trying to, um, trying to put across what the author intended rather than trying to put your own stamp on something. Does that make sense? It makes total sense on guy. Suppose that's I would hope that then becomes that comes about on is manifested as a group intention on stage. In terms of the cast terms of what we're doing is either following what the author intends us to deal with. The director intends us to do rather than what you intend to do. I think I was probably guilty in the first few years of my career of trying to put my stamp on something. Yeah, and possibly there were moments. I'm sure there were moments where I was in a different show to other people.

Now I suppose I'm most keen to feel like it is. I am part of a congruent hole. So I suppose that's why the idea of being the sort of front and center lead is less. It's not love. It's less appealing, but it's less important

to me now. Yeah,

I get. Why did Young Frankenstein? Because I wanted to, because I hadn't done a comedy for a while and I hadn't been front and center for a while. I've sort of been doing, shall we say, more supporting roles in plays? And I thought, You know what? I wanna flex those muscles again. But I suppose I felt in for even in Frankenstein is that it was so important to be part of a team, a cog in a machine that works effectively around the other cocks. And so, I suppose, in terms of looking at a script, I'll see right, what is the author's intent here?

What is the stylistic there? What's the style service? For instance, City of Angels, written by a brilliant writer comic writer called Larry Gelbart, who wrote with all those wonderful old guys light Mel Brooks like Woody Allen like Neil Simon, who all came through Sid Caesar's writers room and suddenly you go, right. So how are those guys writing? And how are they reacting to another one? Another in the room? Because that's the way that they would want their dialogue to be played right. The city of angels is is sort of steeped in the history of film noir of that fast patter. Sort of, um, those black and white films.

Family guy did a brilliant piss take on those called fast talking high trousers. But really, if you've got high trousers and you've talked fast, then you're kind of on the right. Yeah, um, the right track with City of Angels. So that's I'm being slightly facetious, but I guess I kind of go back. And I think, right, What's the Where did this come from? As an idea, What research can I do around that to sort of bring that idea to fruition as part of the whole?

Does that make sense? 100% and as a it's funny, the less you try to make it like, put your own stamp on it and you were trying to honor the author, and we'll talk about then in the direction and whatnot. But you become selfless. You end up putting your own scent because Hadley will show up. I guess maybe only one Hadley was only one Rosie. There's only one remains. One whoever you have course, and you stop trying to be something you're

Yeah, I find I get the most satisfaction now when, um, people comment upon the Rangers, Perhaps the wrong word, but one's versatility once flexibility. So if someone said to me Are That's amazing that you did X film such and such avant garde play on a member. It's a musical comedy on DDE. If I was at home in all three of those different things, even playing music, even writing, if I'm at home doing all of those things, that gives me more satisfaction than anything else. And perhaps sometimes it's easy to be damned by flexibility, and one can be a bit too flexible. You know, there's this phrase isn't that Jack of all trades and master of None.

But I like the ability I admire, especially in other people. The ability to be able to retreat into a role on not really exist too much out of it and to do so many different things that their performance I admire are those ones who are able to go from, you know, straight theater to film two musical comedy, and they wouldn't necessarily be the sort of household names. But people like Brian D'Arcy James that's that for me is so so, Admiral. I think we have those guys over here. We got people like Douglas Hodge, even Jonathan Pryce. Someone like that Imelda Stone Soon Sam Spiro. I'll find my own wife very inspiring in that context. Worse, Rosie's just has this ability to kind of shape shift into doing so many different things, and she comes alive in that in that moment.

But it's that sort of. It's that sub summation in into the word I don't know if it is, it's a good one, sold it, and they go into the into the character and not really exist beyond it. So, for instance, in the Antibodies when we had seven weeks rehearsal, which was a hell of a luxury, but we really I think we're all in the same show. I would hope so. Anyway, on it became a joy to be a part off, eh? A machine where everybody was working together to to tell the same story rather than deceiver a desperate one. So

then, when you say and not exists outside of that, yeah, in this day and age, yeah, when people are trying to promote themselves so much with social media we do it? Ah ha. Of course yet. And I'm trying to bounce it. Even with this, I don't wantto. Even when I talk to you. Someone like yourself or anyone. I don't want them to give too much away. But you still want people to get to know you. Yeah. How do you balance that?

I'm not sure. I, um I don't know. Is there a right way of doing it? You feel like there's a right

way of doing it? I'm still

trying to figure it out. Yeah, I confess. I'm not, um I'm not very trustful of it now. Yeah, um, I think it's brilliant. And when it's used in the right way to connect with people to converse with people, then then it's great. I suppose it is a well documented fact that social media has its downsides. There are infinite other podcasts and people to talk about that, I suppose, from our context, um, I feel that social media is brilliant in terms of saying, Look,

this is something that I'm doing. Yeah, on. I'd love to sort of connect with people on on that, but in terms of showing the rest of my life, and the rest of me. That's something that I have a slight lack of trust with. Now, I'm

very big on not so much showing process. Right. Okay. I don't like in rehearsal rooms. People filming agreed yet over overuse of selfies. I'm like, I want it like we talked about before when I was seeing you after your play. I want rehearsals, too. To be a room to play in and to fall in. Whatever. I don't want that to be documented. Agreed, You know, And the stuff we do show from rehearsal rooms are never believe rehearsed, you know?

Yeah, you're right. And I suppose there's a balance to find, isn't there? Because, um, one has to remind myself that there is a, ah, riel insight to be gleaned, especially for people who aren't necessarily in the business in terms of seeing inside a rehearsal room. And I understand that there, that's a very

But there's a right way of showing that Yeah, a connection be edited?

Yeah. I mean, Maura, Maura, especially with some of the big musicals you're finding that, uh, PR and publicity is happening in the rehearsal room aren't here. And I suppose I understand that there's a tension between that because people want to see sort of the where the magic happens, but basically decided that you don't want to see what goes into the sausages,

right? I want them to mix more moles. I like bacon sausages nowadays. Don't do the meat ones anymore. Really not a vegan. But vegan sausage is very good. I want you know, you got to promote the show, but I don't wanna promote the process because I don't want to spoon feed people. There's also

something nice, isn't there? About the surprise of seeing it? Yeah, in the flesh.

You know that feeling when you do a workshop reading and you perform in the workshop? No sets. And what Not even if you still holding scripts. Whoever's in the room to watch that what goes through their mind? Because they have to fill in the blanks. They have to build the sets themselves on, huh? That's magic. Sometimes a workshop. And then I've done a workshop of a show and then did the production was like it wasn't a good I know. Yeah, but now we have actually got the budget. And then

well, that's the triumph of the imagination, I suppose, isn't it as well? And that's something that I suppose musicals have had a bad rap for throughout history, you know, is that they spoon feed, people, spoon, feed people sort of false emotion and too much detail. Um, but I think I would fight against that to a certain extent. You know, I think more and more musicals now are allowing people's imaginations to do to fill in the gaps and awful space. This is a different conversation, but a good musical is a good musical and a good players. A good play about musical is about me about place by play,

you know? I mean, this is something that we've talked about in the past, that sort of bad wrapped in musicals have. But

I'm not saying beautiful massive sets like what you get Mary Poppins is a bad thing. That's amazing to see. You know,

it's a magic to that, But I suppose, yeah, I find I find the rehearsal period still the most exciting part. Yeah, I don't know how you feel about it. I love that discovery that, like you say, the chance to fall on dick yourself up on DDE, I suppose nowadays I think I actually did root to draw it back to what you were talking about in terms of sort of teaching and all of that sort of stuff. Especially. I did, um, public master class last week, was it? But what academy on DDE I find that I want to I'm drawn to and I'm interested in the idea of those being a rehearsal effectively. Now on I suppose I think about the run of a play of a musical now almost as an extended rehearsal.

Love that. Is that? Yeah. I mean, I don't want to sound too sort of clever, clever, because obviously you have to hit certain marks. And they're always off doing particular beats of drama or a particular moment in a song where you've discussed it and rehearsed it with a director or you're the rest of your Karsten and you agree upon, you know, a way that perhaps works and tells the story. Well, yeah, but for something to be living and breathing, I suppose I'm keen to keep playing around. Yeah, I feel like you're the same

probably 100% because I always My analogy is I it. You goto theater every night when you're in a show, right? There's the diversion. You take that aversion? Absolutely. There's 50 100. Whatever with different ways to get there. Get there. Yeah. So that's the authority. Will intent. Yeah, Well, who says you can't want I go this good Someone's done this or someone something. Fowler. A curve

ball. Exactly. The one thing like I resist now is thesaurus of predetermined muck up or something like that.

That would have to call it rehearsal room.

Laughs. Yeah. So, those ones, I sort of try and resist a little bit. And we were all guilty of going out. God, I know I can get a good laugh on that. And so I'm gonna keep on playing that. And then you quickly learn that, actually, that's the one that you feel a bit 32. Yes. So, please, I said, that's the preparation side of things. Um, I

and just tow without getting your specific process, because I never want to know that. But so you have the script now in front of you. You learn your songs as anyone would. However, when you read music or whatnot, Yeah. Don't dictate from Dictaphone? Yeah, mine. The old disc? Yeah. Dropbox folder. But do you actually in the book scenes? There are books. Scenes? Yeah.

Angel's right. Yeah. How do you break down lines? You act action to line not only physical actions, but

yeah. You mean as in a sort of sand Stanislavski. And yes, no, I mean, I suppose I've done that if I've worked with the director who's been keen on that as a process. But I've only really found that out in the rehearsal room. Um, but I don't do that independently because I suppose going back to that thing of it being a living, breathing rehearsal, I'm I'm slightly wary of off having on dhe their debates to be had about this. But I'm slightly wary of all off having a sort of action again attached to a line, because then you're going to be playing that one action forever. I think probably there could be different actions for the same line, because that is an evolution. I suppose so. And again,

I don't want this to sound too too sort of, actually, but I suppose that's how I think. So what do we do? I don't know if you were the same, but I I'm much more inclined now to be off book for the start of rehearsals 100% because what I find is really if I'm off book, I haven't made any decisions about where it's going to go. But as soon as you step in the rehearsal room on Day one, you have that ability to be able to play from Day one.

Yeah, why waste time? I don't think rehearsals there don't necessary. Learn what you should've done on your own time. Yeah, if you got the script on Day One, that's different.

Yeah, although I'll counteract that by saying for something like the antibodies were actually told, Don't be because part of their hurt part of the rehearsal process is going to be sorts of the learning. Fine, but as a specific answer exactly. But But the times that I've really enjoyed rehearsals have been the times that I have been off book on that sometimes been expressed like before Winter's tale. Ken said to us, You need to be off book for Day one, and we had blocked would be blocked. The entire show always act. The first half can't remember, it was one of them of a Shakespeare play. And we had a run through in the room at the end of Act one. Everybody off book at the end of week one. It was incredible. Thea, The one that springs to mind is Long Day's journey Into night,

which is three and 3/4 hours of Eugene O'Neill, you know, heavy drama on. And that was directed by Richard. And he said, Look, that you were really gonna benefit if you guys are or off book. So we were on, And, um, it meant that we were all heads up from day one.

See, this is where I learned this. Truly believe this phrase that I heard disciplined equals freedom.

I couldn't agree more. Couldn't agree more.

Now you have the freedom because of that discipline play. Yeah, and I had so

much fun, eh? So I guess I'll go. I'll try and go into city with that off book. I mean, we've done this shape before, so I should hope I remember bits of it. I certainly remember the music because it's one of my favorite schools anyway. And I knew it. I had done it. University Really? Yeah. Although I played Stone. Um, so it's actually one of the few musicals that I would be able to sing the lyrics, too Even even lame is I can't remember

the lyrics. Are you like me? Because now you know, I've got secret country with its anyway. But I'm doing chess in Japan in January. I don't know when this will come out, but you know, anyhow, I put on the CD last night because I try and do one thought of the time one short of time. So my concerts out away. I'll do chess. I put it on. I was like, I've done the show. When did I sing this obscene? The mountain Do it, which is beautiful by my I don't remember. I don't I could not. It's literally start over again. My brain can only

hold so much at this point. I feel like I'm a Simpson in that regard. Like there's only room for, like a tiny little man sort of jumping around into labor.

No, I'll start find with the odds on and freedom is mine. So are there any

shows that City of Angels I would know a lot of the lyrics, too. And she's crazy Start because those

thanks for listening to part one of My Hang With Highly Frasier actor, musician, writer and all around great guy least tune in for Part two, where we will pick up right where we left off with our conversation about the 25th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera. You'll forget. You can connect with me at BP and Dot FM forward slash the hang and on Instagram and Twitter at Remain Caramel. The Hang is produced by Dorie Barris, Dean and Alan Seals from the Broadway Podcast Network. You can find me online at E p n dot FM forward slash the hang don't forget you can connect with me on Instagram and Twitter at Ramin Caramel on YouTube. Roaming Iranian or My Facebook page official remain caramel music for my podcast is by my friends and one of my favorite bands that dives. Please check him out at their website that dives music dot com. That's the dives music dot com where you can get to know them here. They're incredible music, get links to all their socials and, most importantly, their tour days where you confess, find out where you can see and hear them life.

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