Grinch by Grinch, star delivers Christmas in Dr Seuss stage show
Gregor Fisher is no stranger to hitting the stage at Christmas but this year he’ll swap his panto dame’s dresses for something more demure.
He’s appearing in Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre later this month.
The show has broken all number of box office records in America and Gregor is delighted to be involved as Narrator. “I knew all about it because my three children enjoyed the Jim Carrey film,” he explained.
“A lot of times people phone me up with jobs and I don’t know what they are, but I knew this and thought it would be fun.
“It’s been a huge Broadway hit and is a no-expense-spared, big, fun production. It’s not panto and there are no smutty jokes – it’s a glorious night out for kids. “When I told my daughter she said I had to do it.
“I spoke to the director, Christian Durham, about the costumes, and he told me just to wear something comfortable. “‘So there’s no costume,’ I said to him. I have a Christmassy red waistcoat, which I can wear as long as it doesn’t clash with the orange backdrop on the set.
“I’ve told him I’ll bring a couple of choices. I could even put on a floral dress – it won’t be the first time I’ve worn a frock!”
The Grinch is Dr Seuss’ best-known character. The book upon which the stage show is based was published in 1957 and there have been several movie versions. Some of the actors to have played or voiced the role include Boris Karloff, Bob Holt, Jim Carrey and Benedict Cumberbatch.
The mean-tempered and bitter Grinch is a green, pot-bellied creature with a catlike face, who has spent decades living in seclusion on a cliff overlooking the town of Whoville. He especially hates the festive season, and attempts to ruin Christmas by stealing everyone’s presents rom under their Christmas trees. Grinch has become part of everyday laanguage and he is aas much of an antiCchristmas icon as Ebenezer Scrooge.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Nov 26-Dec 1