about to make its London debut at the King’s Head Theatre, we take a moment to catch up with one of the stars of the show, Dale Adams …
Hi Dale, to start with could you tell us what Adam & Eve … and Steve is all about?
You might think at first glance you’ll be seeing a funny romp based on the creation story, but the story also has heart. Our story is about people and the complexities and pressures of finding their life’s purpose.
London has seen an array of slightly zany, away from the norm musicals in recent years. What makes you think AES can succeed where some before you haven’t done well?
It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has all the elements for a hit cult musical comedy with a book and music which addresses a very wide audience.
Three words to describe AES?
Quick-witted
Cheeky
Fun
AES received generally favourable reviews when it ran at The Fringe, have you changed anything for the London run?
I am yet to see a script! As a company we knew where the imperfections laid in the Fringe production. With only an hour and twenty minutes running time, we could only dust the edges of the scenes around the songs. I think taking it back to the drawing board will allow us to build something fresh and just as wonderful.
Dale and Joseph Robinson (Adam) with their Producer, Elva Corrie at the Edinburgh Fringe
What would you like to see happen to the show after its run at the King’s Head?
In an ideal world, get a huge investment and run for 10 years at the Palladium! No, “Adam and Eve and Steve” has a modest cast size of strong characters, and keeping it small keeps it special. I’ve greatly favoured the recent boom in the Off-West End industry and would love to see the production take off in the same light as Danielle Tarrento’s recent successes; i.e. “Titanic”, “In The Heights”, “Sideshow”. I also feel this show needs to see more of the world. Perhaps the Montreal or Melbourne comedy festivals.
There’s lots of flesh on show – do you ever feel self conscious and do you have a particular fitness regime to stick to during show weeks?
It’s the most liberating feeling as an actor, knowing you can perform on stage with nothing to hide behind. Following my training at drama school, I’ve always eaten well, kept active and exercised. I just don’t think I’ll be eating a large meal too soon before getting into costume.
So is it the type of show you can take your gran along to?
Oh hell yes! The fact it’s a musical farce and style caters to the lovers of old comedy favourites such as “Carry On” and “Morecambe and Wise” makes it the perfect show to take your gran to!
The King’s Head is quite a small performance space and you’re very close to the audience, any concerns?
I’ve always enjoyed being close to the audience, it makes them part of the show just as much as we are.
Who is the most upbeat member of the cast?
Beelzebub [Stephen McGlynn ]. He never stops! Always meddling or making a cocktail when he’s not basking in the limelight. After all, “It’s all about” him.
Do you have any pre-show superstitions or routines you always go through?
Apart from the bog-standard warming up the voice and body, when we were in Edinburgh I had to take extra time warm my feet up. Being bare foot in the show means there was always a risk of them cramping up. I drink Lemon and Ginger tea by the box, it’s the best thing to get my voice going. In Edinburgh, Joe [Robinson, as Adam] and I used to sing a few lines from our duets, just to get in sync vocally, before the show as well.
Will the audience be humming any of the tunes when they leave?
I’ve been humming the tunes everyday since August 2016, truthfully, the score is written by Wayne Moore and is certainly catchy, think “Children of Eden” meets “Falsettoland” with just a dash of “Book of Mormon”.
Can we expect lots of fig leaves, serpents and apple eating?
That and more. Although, I don’t like apples very much and Hayley [Hampson, as Eve] takes joy in watching me eat one every show.
Which of you is flirtiest ?
Adam [Joseph Robinson], he’s the biggest game player in the Garden of Eden!
Any unfortunate incidents / humorous rehearsal stories ?
Occasionally, Joe or I got carried away during a moment in the show where we present each other what’s underneath our fig leaves, accidentally grabbing the band of our dance belt in the process and exposing a little too much!
What do you do on non-show days?
On a non-show day, I really try my utmost to leave the show in the theatre and switch off from it for the day, that way when I return it’s like I’m telling the story for the first time again.
What was the last show you saw?
The last musical I saw was “Dreamgirls” at the Savoy and it blew me away! I think Steve models himself on Effie White, even though she hasn’t been invented yet.
Did you always want to act and sing ?
I was doing pantomimes and playing child roles from a young age. I always had a passion for singing and acting. It was what made me who I am.
Dale with Stephen McGlynn (Beelzebub) working together for the first time in “The Wizard of Oz” at the De La Warr Pavillion, East Sussex, Christmas 2000
If you could choose any role to play, what would it be?
To play Albert in “War Horse” would be a dream come true, or Gabe in the musical “Next To Normal”.
All time favourite play and musical?
My favourite play is “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller and my favourite musical will always be “The Wizard of Oz”.
Dale as Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd at The Emporium Theatre, Brighton. October 2016
And finally, your thoughts on the new US President?
I think we should invite him to come and watch. There is an iconic moment between God and Steve that might reform his views on the world all together!
Many thanks to Dale for his time and Jenny for her assistance with the interview.
‘Out of the darkness, into the spotlight, a teenage sensation is coming …’
A coming-of-age story with a twist, with catchy new songs by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom MacRae, this brand new musical will have everybody talking about Jamie for years to come.
We asked the dapper and thoroughly charming Dan Gillespie Sells about Jamie, the future of The Feeling and his thoughts on Donald Trump …
The show is based on ‘Jamie: Drag Queen at 16 ‘ the BBC3 documentary about a teenager in the north east. How much of the show is biographical and based on the real character?
That’s right, we were inspired by the documentary. The basic story is the same but for a full scale stage show we needed to create more. We needed to introduce new characters and show the world of the school, which didn’t appear in the original documentary.
And why the decision to open the show and base the story in Sheffield instead of Tyneside?
The Director of the show Jonathan Butterell brought this idea to Tom and myself. He is a Sheffield lad and wanted to do a piece specifically about and for Sheffield. We are delighted to be at the Crucible, a theatre with such a wonderful reputation.
What can the audience expect from ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’?
Something unexpected and joyful.
Your previous forays into theatre, ‘The Bad, The Sad & The Broken Hearted’ and ‘3 With D’ (part of ‘Men in Motion’), were both one night shows – how do you feel about going from those experiences to writing a whole musical that has an initial run of 19 shows?
This is a much bigger undertaking than pretty much anything I have done before but it is also the first project I have done where I don’t perform myself. It is nice to see these amazing performers do their work and bring our ideas to life.
How long has it taken from the idea of a musical for it to all come about?
Around 3 years from the initial idea to being staged.
Were you involved in the casting process at all ?
Completely. We needed very specific kinds of singers for this score.
So will there be a soundtrack of the show available?
The ‘concept’ album that accompanies the show will be available on CD at the theatre and also on iTunes at some point!
Last year’s The Feeling tour was signalled as a hiatus for the group until at least 2018. Is that the case or can we expect to hear more from the group before then?
We felt we needed to have a break after 10 years of solid touring. 2018 will come round pretty quickly!
What do the rest of the band think about your new direction?
They have been very supportive and they have all helped loads with the project in different ways.
I’m very grateful to them all.
Your ideal scenario for the play once the run finishes in Sheffield?
I want as many people to get a chance to see it as possible. That’s all.
Any thoughts of treading the boards yourself or are you firmly staying on the creatives’ side?
One day, maybe.
Other than ‘Jamie’ do you have any other favourite musicals?
West Side Story
Cabaret
Little Shop of Horrors
And finally, what with his outspoken views, any thoughts on the new US president?
I’m horrified, obviously.
I wish I could do more about it but at least we get to create a piece of theatre that speaks back to bigotry.
It’s not enough but it’s something.
Many thanks to Dan for sparing the time to talk to us. Break a leg with the show and we look forward to seeing it soon.
Listing
9 – 25 February 2017
For tickets and additional information about signed and captioned performances please click on the logo below
Dale and Joseph Robinson (Adam) with their Producer, Elva Corrie at the Edinburgh Fringe
Dale with Stephen McGlynn (Beelzebub) working together for the first time in “The Wizard of Oz” at the De La Warr Pavillion, East Sussex, Christmas 2000
Dale as Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd at The Emporium Theatre, Brighton. October 2016
