It’s perhaps just as well that Geordie comedian, Ross Noble, is a pal of funnyman, Phil Jupitus – otherwise he might just find himself on the wrong side of a severe tongue lashing.
He’s starring as escaped Nazi sympathiser, pigeon fancier and part-time playwright Franz Liebkind in the hilarious musical comedy, The Producers, which comes to His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen for a week-long run from June 22 to 27.
I caught the show when it was in Manchester when larger-than-life comedian and TV regular, Phil Jupitus was playing Franz – and going down a storm. “Aye, Phil left some pretty big lederhosen for me to fill,” said Ross cheekily.
“Phil had been with the show from the start and had made the part his own, so I’ve taken it in another direction. My Franz is very much, for obvious reasons, a much more physical, nimble character. I run around the stage a lot and am constantly going up and down the fire escape stairs which is certainly keeping me fit.”
A master surrealist and regarded as a comedy genius, Ross is delighted to be making his music theatre debut playing the former Nazi, brought on board by failed Broadway producer, Max Bialystok, played by Cory English and timid accountant, Leo Bloom, played by Jason Manford, to help them in their plot to make a fortune by putting on the worst musical of all time.
“I am very excited about appearing in The Producers. Mel Brooks is one of my comedy heroes and I’m a huge fan of the show. For anyone who loves comedy, the chance to perform the work of Mel Brooks is amazing,” said Ross.
Fellow comedian and co-star Jason said: “Ross is one of the most exciting and inventive comedians the UK has produced, he is one of those rare breed of comics who simply has funny bones. It’s a genius bit of casting.”
While it has delighted Jason, the decision to give Ross a starring role in a musical has taken some by surprise …
“People keep saying the same thing to me. You’re not singing are you? Followed by, are you any good then?
“My reply is always the same, funnily enough I’m a good enough singer to be in a West End show. That is the concept of a musical, that it has people in it that can sing,” joked Ross
“When I was a kid I was involved in theatre, appeared in some musicals, and sung a couple of times with friends who have bands at various festivals but when I got this gig I went for some vocal coaching, just to be on the safe side.
“I think what this show is doing is highlighting that people have other talents. Jason, for example, is a brilliant singer and on stage plays a humble, low-status, timid character which is far removed from his own blokey, northern alpha-male character.
“I feel like we’ve almost come full circle. In the old days, comedians would tell a few jokes then do a song. Then comedy moved away from that style and concentrated on jokes and stories but I think people are quite surprised to find that a lot of comedians are often all-round entertainers.
“Some get into stand-up as a way of getting into other things such as acting, but that’s never been my thing, I simply wanted to be a stand-up comedian but also like taking an unexpected path such as being in a horror film and starring in a musical.”
Since being smuggled into his local comedy club at the age of 15, Ross has never looked back. His countless accolades include Time Out award winner for best live stand-up, Barry Award winner, Manchester Evening News Theatre Award, Perrier Award nominee and several Chortle Awards. He’s unveiled a new sell-out show every year for the last 15 years, and has a fantastic reputation for engaging with the audience.
So, how difficult has it been for him not to chat to the audience during The Producers?
“Mel Brooks has written it so precisely then honed it and honed it so the rhythm of the lines is perfect. If I’m talking to Max, he throws me a line and it’s either a set up for me to get a laugh or setting him up to get a laugh so if you mess about with that, you won’t get a laugh,” said Ross.
“The difference between acting for a camera and a live audience is that, for the camera, you can do 10 takes and it’s down to the editor to mix it up but that doesn’t happen in live theatre. You live or die by that choice. You deliver a line and it either flies with the audience or doesn’t so it’s actually like a whole new set of toys for me to play with.
“There’s only been one moment when I nearly ad-libbed and that was when somebody brought a baby to the show which started crying while I was talking. I very nearly ad-libbed in character but then I thought it’s probably not appropriate for a Nazi to say something about a baby so I stopped myself in time.”
Featuring a riotous mix of eccentric characters and the all-time classic song Springtime For Hitler, The Producers is regarded as the funniest Broadway musical of all time. “I’m loving it and really enjoying being on stage, it’s brilliant. In a way it’s just too much fun from start to finish,” said Ross.
“I’m really looking forward to being with the show in Aberdeen and plan to take my push bike so I can do a bit of cycling when I’m there. I’m a regular visitor and think Aberdeen audiences are incredibly happy and always up for it. The show I did at the Music Hall last year was just brilliant so if the audience for The Producers is anything like that, it’s going to be a good night.”
The Producers is at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen from June 22-27. For tickets contact: www.aberdeenperformingarts.com or 01224 641122.