Musical role was inspired choice for Maxwell
MAXWELL CAULFIELD’S performance as studio boss RF Simpson in Singin’ in the Rain was inspired by the man who removed him from the Hollywood scrapheap.
The former Emmerdale and Casualty star is currently part of the critically-acclaimed touring production of the much-loved MGM film.
“Sandy Howard was a B-movie producer who gave me a break after Grease 2,” explained Maxwell, who made his big screen debut in that film.
“I couldn’t get arrested after that role, but he cast me in a movie alongside Charlie Sheen called The Boys Next Door and then in another movie, Supernaturals.
“He rented space in a little area next to MGM’s lot and he was a really old school, debonair guy.
“I think there’s a hint of debauchery in my character in Singin’ in the Rain but it’s not inherent in the writing, so I looked at Don Simpson (the late producer of blockbusters likeTop Gun and Beverly Hills Cop) as well, who lived an excessive lifestyle.
“It’s hard to be the head of a studio and not take advantage of things.”
The 54-year-old isn’t required to dance in the production, but he does get to splash around in the water that covers the stage.
“I’m now the character guy who doesn’t have to do any of the dancing,” he laughed.
“The water that comes up from below the stage is ice cold and we kick it around — the front two rows get it all over them! But the water from above is temperate, as we can’t have the leading man coming down with the flu.”
Maxwell, who has been married to actress Juliet Mills for more than 30 years, added: “One of the challenges of doing a year-long tour and performing it eight times a week is keeping it fresh and remembering this is the first time that particular audience has seen it.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting Edinburgh again.
“The first time I was there was to see our daughter, Melissa, appearing at the festival a few years ago. We had a more extensive stay when my wife and I later performed in a show at the King’s.
“The history is on show in Edinburgh, there’s no getting away from it. Some cities you have to look for it, but not there.”
Singin’ in the Rain is at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, from February 25 to March 15 and returns north to Glasgow in August.