matt
12-19-2006, 08:37 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/images/2006/12/06/flintstreetnativity_home_203x152.jpg
The Flint Street Nativity
The Flint Street Nativity is a seasonal family comedy at the Playhouse. We spoke to actors Andrew Schofield and Gillian Kearney about the play, the challenge of portraying children and the roles they had when were at school.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/f/t.gif
http://www.bbc.co.uk/f/t.gifTell us about the Flint Street Nativity, what is the basic plot?
Andrew Schofield: I play the Innkeeper and the Innkeeper’s dad. The clue is in the title really, it’s about a nativity. It’s the relationship between all the kids in the class and eventually you get to meet the parents and find out why they are the way they are.
Gillian Kearney: I play Mary and Mary’s mum. In the play, a child called Jenny Bennet has been cast as Mary so she’s the school swot, the way only 7 year old girls can be, so she’s great fun to play.
It must be nice playing children. Is it a nice change as actors?
Andrew Schofield: Yeah, we’re having a lot of fun at the moment.
Gillian Kearney: We went to a school in Formby to observe some kids. They just never keep still. It’s the feet really, all the time just constantly tapping and energised. It’s good, you are allowed to be fidgety!
Andrew Schofield: Yeah, but we do have to watch that because sometimes the audience can start watching fidgety people instead of the other actors. So it’s about getting a good balance on that stuff.
You’ve been rehearsing for a while, how is it all coming together?
Andrew Schofield: They’re going really well, it’s a great cast and it’s going to be a great show - apart from me! No, it’s going to be a great show and everyone’s getting on really well.
"There are songs too which are variations on carols. They are personalised to the kids, so you get their real thoughts. "Gillian KearneyGillian Kearney: There are songs too which are variations on carols. It feels really Christmassy. They are personalised to the kids, so you get their real thoughts - instead of singing Silent Night you get a rendition with different words.
What can the audience expect from coming to see Flint Street Nativity?
Gillian Kearney: It’s got everything, music and sadness. It’s moving because Leanne Best is Ashley who is playing Gabriel, and she wants the role of Mary. Everyone is like that when they’re little, they’re playing Gabriel but they covet the part of Mary. It’s sad when you hear her back-story.
Andrew Schofield: My character, the Innkeeper, he’s in love with Mary. He does want to be Joseph, but he doesn’t think he’s got the ability to be Joseph. He just pines after her. He grew up in a pub, so he’s just this kid who smells of the pub and she smells like flowers and summer. He wants to be with her, but he can’t be.
Do you remember your school nativity? What parts did you play?
Andrew Schofield: I played a Roman soldier who read out a declaration from Herod. I can’t remember what I said but I remember wearing a leather skirt my Dad had made me – a pair of sandals and these leather strips. I was standing up there with a roll of wallpaper pretending to read my words.
Gillian Kearney: I didn’t have any words, I was the Isosceles triangle! I played it every time the star appeared! I was the percussion. I didn’t have a name. It’s great actually, takes you back.
You didn’t have a problem with wearing the skirt?
Andrew Schofield: Well it was a Roman soldier skirt, you’re allowed to wear one of them!
Gillian Kearney: it’s manly!
Andrew Schofield: it’s just that I had these skinny legs sticking out.
Gillian Kearney: you still do!
The Flint Street Nativity is at the Liverpool Playhouse, 7 Dec 2006 - 20 Jan 2007.
I remember seeing the film version a few years ago, starring Frank Skinner, Ralf Little and Neil Morrisey. We went to see it last night and it was hilarious. If you do nothing else festive this year, go and see it. Worth going on a Monday coz tickets are only a fiver!!
More here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/12/13/theatre_flintst_review_feature.shtml
http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/ (http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/)
The Flint Street Nativity
The Flint Street Nativity is a seasonal family comedy at the Playhouse. We spoke to actors Andrew Schofield and Gillian Kearney about the play, the challenge of portraying children and the roles they had when were at school.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/f/t.gif
http://www.bbc.co.uk/f/t.gifTell us about the Flint Street Nativity, what is the basic plot?
Andrew Schofield: I play the Innkeeper and the Innkeeper’s dad. The clue is in the title really, it’s about a nativity. It’s the relationship between all the kids in the class and eventually you get to meet the parents and find out why they are the way they are.
Gillian Kearney: I play Mary and Mary’s mum. In the play, a child called Jenny Bennet has been cast as Mary so she’s the school swot, the way only 7 year old girls can be, so she’s great fun to play.
It must be nice playing children. Is it a nice change as actors?
Andrew Schofield: Yeah, we’re having a lot of fun at the moment.
Gillian Kearney: We went to a school in Formby to observe some kids. They just never keep still. It’s the feet really, all the time just constantly tapping and energised. It’s good, you are allowed to be fidgety!
Andrew Schofield: Yeah, but we do have to watch that because sometimes the audience can start watching fidgety people instead of the other actors. So it’s about getting a good balance on that stuff.
You’ve been rehearsing for a while, how is it all coming together?
Andrew Schofield: They’re going really well, it’s a great cast and it’s going to be a great show - apart from me! No, it’s going to be a great show and everyone’s getting on really well.
"There are songs too which are variations on carols. They are personalised to the kids, so you get their real thoughts. "Gillian KearneyGillian Kearney: There are songs too which are variations on carols. It feels really Christmassy. They are personalised to the kids, so you get their real thoughts - instead of singing Silent Night you get a rendition with different words.
What can the audience expect from coming to see Flint Street Nativity?
Gillian Kearney: It’s got everything, music and sadness. It’s moving because Leanne Best is Ashley who is playing Gabriel, and she wants the role of Mary. Everyone is like that when they’re little, they’re playing Gabriel but they covet the part of Mary. It’s sad when you hear her back-story.
Andrew Schofield: My character, the Innkeeper, he’s in love with Mary. He does want to be Joseph, but he doesn’t think he’s got the ability to be Joseph. He just pines after her. He grew up in a pub, so he’s just this kid who smells of the pub and she smells like flowers and summer. He wants to be with her, but he can’t be.
Do you remember your school nativity? What parts did you play?
Andrew Schofield: I played a Roman soldier who read out a declaration from Herod. I can’t remember what I said but I remember wearing a leather skirt my Dad had made me – a pair of sandals and these leather strips. I was standing up there with a roll of wallpaper pretending to read my words.
Gillian Kearney: I didn’t have any words, I was the Isosceles triangle! I played it every time the star appeared! I was the percussion. I didn’t have a name. It’s great actually, takes you back.
You didn’t have a problem with wearing the skirt?
Andrew Schofield: Well it was a Roman soldier skirt, you’re allowed to wear one of them!
Gillian Kearney: it’s manly!
Andrew Schofield: it’s just that I had these skinny legs sticking out.
Gillian Kearney: you still do!
The Flint Street Nativity is at the Liverpool Playhouse, 7 Dec 2006 - 20 Jan 2007.
I remember seeing the film version a few years ago, starring Frank Skinner, Ralf Little and Neil Morrisey. We went to see it last night and it was hilarious. If you do nothing else festive this year, go and see it. Worth going on a Monday coz tickets are only a fiver!!
More here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/12/13/theatre_flintst_review_feature.shtml
http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/ (http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/)