Robert Bowman chats to Buzz about his starring role in Diary Of A Madman.
roundup
WHAT’ S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.
Robert Bowman chats to Buzz about his starring role in Diary Of A Madman.
Q & A
This isn’ t the first time you’ ve toured Diary Of A Madman, what inspired you to revive the production? We were going to be doing a longer tour of it last autumn, but various factors meant we had to postpone it. So, this is something we’ d always planned to do, but it’ s just taken us a while. It’ s also a project we wanted to keep chipping away at, trying new things. For instance, we’ ve created a new set design and staging for this version. We’ re also keen to keep exploring the techniques of Michael Chekhov. They’ re so rich you could spend a lifetime working with them.
What first attracted you to Gogol’ s original short story? I first saw a lovely production of it at the Focus Theatre in Dublin. I was really captivated by it. The performer was an Irish actor who had spent time in New York and had, while at a party out there, been accidentally hit by a gun shot in the spine, which meant he was confined to a wheel chair. I remember being totally taken in by the performance. That was back in the late 80s and the story has been with me ever since. Just in terms of the story itself, I was stuck by the cruelty and lack of understanding shown towards‘ madness’ that was revealed in the story. We have most definitely moved on in terms of our understanding and treatment of psychosis, but the brain and what makes people do what they do will still be a subject of study for us for years to come.
It’ s a one man show, so everything falls on you. How do you deal with this pressure? Well in a way, it’ s not just me. Everyone becomes a partner in a way; the director, the lighting designer, the composer. All these elements become much more present when doing a one-person show. But yes, when it starts it is up to me, but there is also a freedom in that. For instance, if you mess up, generally, it’ s just you and so it’ s easier for you to improvise your way out of it, unless of course it’ s a lighting or sound cue! But what is great is, once you’ re on the journey, you can’ t get off!
“ I hope they’ ll find it a fun, inventive, moving and truthful rendition of this story”
BOOK NOW
HAIRSPRAY Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Tue 18-Sat 29 June Tickets: £ 18- £ 45 Info: 029 2063 6464 www. wmc. org. uk
THE WELSH PROMS 2013 St David’ s Hall, Cardiff Sat 20-Sat 27 Jul Tickets: events priced separately Info: 029 2087 8444 www. stdavidshallcardiff. co. uk
GREEN MAN Thurs 15-Sun 18 Aug Glanusk Park, Powys Tickets: £ 75- £ 145 Info: 08448 889991 www. greenman. net
FESTIVAL NO. 6 Fri 13-Sun 15 Sept Portmeirion, north Wales Tickets: £ 85- £ 180 Info: 08448 889991 www. festivalnumber6. com
BONOBO Cardiff University Students
Union
Sat 5 Oct Tickets: £ 14.50 Info: 029 2078 1458 www. millenniumstadium. com
TOM ODELL Cardiff University Students
Union
Sat 12 Oct Tickets: £ 12 Info: 029 2078 1458 www. cardiffstudents. com
What can audiences expect from the production? I hope they’ ll find it a fun, inventive, moving and truthful rendition of this story.
Read our preview of Diary Of A Madman on p44. Info: 029 2064 6900 / www. shermancymru. co. uk
BUZZ 08