Spotlight On Barry Clarke
Actor and Newsletter Contributor Extraordinaire... Interview by Mary Couzens
Mary : Barry, in recent months, you've appeared in two productions at The Network Theatre in Waterloo; Ian Smith's wonderful new play Extra Time , and the box office record breaking play by T.S. Eliot, Murder in the Cathedral . How did your involvement with The Network Theatre begin? What were your best and worse experiences along the way? Barry: I got involved with The Network Theatre by being a member of the mob in Deborah Warner's production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar at the Barbican in early 2005. I was chatting to Keith (Waite) - also a mob member, who told me about what sounded like a fascinating theatre deep in the bowels of Waterloo Station. I couldn't imagine what it could be like, but I was intrigued! Then, after chatting with Nigel (Oatway) and Sheila (Murphy) - also mob members, I found they were involved with The Network too. Eventually, I went along to The Network for the first time to audition for a role in a play about football - what was I doing; me & football just do not mix! The play was called Extra Time - co-directed by Nigel (Oatway) who was also in Julius Caesar .There was a part called 'the camp wedding photographer' which I went for and got. And, I found out that, of course, the play was much deeper and more interesting than mere football. It was a brand new play written by Ian Smith and, I am sure we will be seeing it performed in many other venues one of these days. Next, I auditioned for Murder in the Cathedral - again at The Network and won the parts of Tempter 4 and Knight 4. Well, I was very chuffed until I looked at the 'specs' of the parts and saw that Tempter 4 didn't even appear on stage. I had to take solace in the fact that the director needed someone with a certain kind of voice - I convinced myself it was a good thing. And, I was promoted to Knight 3 during production!
Photo curtesy of Barry Clarke
Mary : What's been your best theatrical experience so far? Barry: I would say one of my 'best experiences' was being in Julius Caesar , which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, in which I feel very privileged to have been cast. We were a huge company - there were the leads, such as Simon Russell-Beale - one of my favourite actors; Ralph Fiennes and Fiona Shaw, and others. Then there were the so-called '40' who were 'professional' mobsters and then 60 'community players' - we were the 'non-professionals' and literally came from all walks of life. I got to tread the boards of the main stage at the Barbican and get to know the backstage like a real insider and act with all these fabulous actors and one of the most respected directors of modern theatre. What more could you ask for? Hey! We were watched by such luminaries as Kevin Kline and Lauren Bacall too! And, the notices always mentioned the crowd scenes - in fact, Nicolas De Jongh - (who hates himself!) - made us the headline in his review! I met and made new friends whom I have now known for a whole year - since we started auditioning and rehearsing. Because of Julius Caesar , I had a wonderful 2005. It seemed to open a floodgate of acting opportunities. Another 'best experience' was that I went on to play many parts in Southwark Playhouse's production of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales , which was a promenade performance with the actors meandering their way through the streets of Southwark. There were also some Julius Caesar community players in this production too! So, that was a kind of safety net that created a 'comfort zone' as they say in the modern parlance. However, I would like to say that all of my experiences of 2005, leading up to and, indeed including working at The Network Theatre were great - I have learned a lot! And, have a lot to say thank you for!
Mary: What was it like working on The Catherine Tate Show? Barry: Well, again I was very lucky. This offer came out of the blue. A week before our first rehearsal for Julius Caesar, I went to see a taping of The Catherine Tate Show at the BBC at the invitation of my friend Ella Kenion, who is one of the co-stars on the show. We met in the green room after the show where I met Ms Tate and the rest of the cast and I was asked if I would like to take part in next week's filming! Would I? So, I went along - met some lovely people who were also 'background artistes' and, went into rehearsal and then filmed about 10 different sketches. It was lots of fun and I found I had minimal nerves, which was a totally new feeling, for, through my whole life, I've been the most nerve-racked person in the world. But, I knew I had to get on and do it and not let anyone down so I just enjoyed it! The only disappointing thing was that I couldn't party with everyone in the green room afterwards, because I had to be up in the morning for the first rehearsal of Julius Caesar!
Mary : How did you wind up being a guest on The Paul O'Grady Show? Barry: It is well-known that I am a follower of Diana Rigg's career and the 60's television programme The Avengers. As is the wont of people with such interests these days, we can create groups on the Internet in which we can discuss said interests. Well, on one such group about The Avengers , someone had posted a message looking for an 'Avengers Superfan' saying they were from a TV show. In a moment of rashness I emailed this person, who could have been anybody, proclaiming myself such a fan! Afterwards , the doubts set-in... But to cut a long story short, I got the gig, and it was on The Paul O'Grady Show - a show which I watch most afternoons! You see, Paul O'Grady (aka Lily Savage) is a big fan of The Avengers too! So, I went along to the London Studios, and was given my own dressing room, with my name on no less! Now, I thought I was just filming 'The Avengers Quiz', with just Paul O'Grady, and Vernon Kay as the Quizmaster, and that it would slotted into the Friday programme - this was a Tuesday. But, right before going on the set I found out it was in front of a live audience. Gulp!
Photo curtesy of Barry Clarke Well, again there was no place for nerves so, I just got on with it and won the quiz 6 to 4 and got to take home a life-size cut-out of Emma Peel! What more could you want? Mind you - I had to bring her home on the 59 bus - I may have got my own dressing room but no limo home!
Photo curtesy of Barry Clarke
Mary: Out of all your show-biz ventures, which experience has been your favourite? Barry: If I had to choose one it would have to be playing Alan Turing in Breaking The Code in Chicago, Illinois or maybe playing Cinderella in Cinderella in a production on the island of Tenerife.
Mary: What will you be appearing in next, and where? Barry: I'll be appearing in another new work - The Karaoke Wedding, directed by the lovely Gabby Vautier - I'm playing the bride's father, Julian. Surprise, surprise it's at The Network Theatre! This will be a great chance to sing and dance and camp it up again! Show I can do more than one thing on stage.
Mary: What would you most like to do in the future? Are there any dream projects you'd like to be involved in? Barry: I have always wanted to perform with Diana Rigg and work for, in any capacity, the great film director Ken Russell. But, dreams - pure dreams! I am not a professional actor and I am just seeing what comes along. At the moment, I am very comfortable with The Network Theatre.
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