High class, high seas
Jeffrey Davies talks to John Partridge and Simon Dutton about their roles in Tom Stoppard’s Rough Crossing
ALL aboard! The eagerly anticipated revival of Sir Tom Stoppard’s nautical comedy Rough Crossing docks in Bath. The star cast of this new production is led by John Partridge, who is well known to TV audiences as Eastenders’ charismatic Christian Clarke. Also starring in Bill Kenwright’s new production is West End and Broadway rising star Charlie Stemp, stage star Issy Van Randwyck (formerly of satirical cabaret act Fascinating Aida), comedy TV favourite Matthew Cottle, Rob Ostlere and Simon Dutton. Directed by the acclaimed Rachel Kavanaugh and freely adapted from Ferenc Molnar’s Jatek A Kastelyban [Play at the Castle], two famous but desperate playwrights, Turai and Gal, are stuck on an ocean liner heading for New York. Feverishly trying to rehearse their latest show before reaching land - and opening night - they are constantly distracted by Adam, their delicate and jealous composer, who is attempting to end it all having overheard his lover, Natasha, confess her feelings to the leading man, Ivor. Add an absurdly unorthodox waiter, Dvornichek, a mis-timed lifeboat drill, and a vanishing glass of brandy, and soon the Atlantic winds turn to worldclass gales of laughter as the colourful characters become tangled up in a typically Stoppardian string of absurd events. Few modern playwrights serve a fizz- ier champagne of verbal wit than Tom Stoppard, I suggested. “Oh that’s so right,” replied John Partridge. “Rough Crossing is such a gem of a happy, witty and wonderful Stoppard play. It really is such a joy for me to be a part of it, part of something, too, that isn’t performed that much. In fact, I found very little information on it when I was doing my own research, other than it was a grand affair with dancing girls when it played the National Theatre in 1984. “However, I quickly discovered at rehearsals that there’s a lot of physical comedy in it and that it’s very, very funny and quite absurd too. Stoppard, as others will tell you, can be appreciated on different levels. But I must say we all laughed a lot rehearsing this one. It’s very full on, but we had great fun,” a very chatty and engaging John, who plays Turai, recalled, adding that the role also enables him to do a “bit of dancing and singing” as well. “The other thing about Rough Crossing is that it has such a beautiful, stunning, stunning, stunning set which creates such a wonderful atmosphere. It really does,” he added. “Although I’ve not seen a lot of Stoppard, I’m sure this play is Stoppard at his finest and audiences so far have just loved it.” This play will mark John’s debut performance in Bath. “It’s true, I have never performed at the Theatre Royal Bath before but I’ve heard it’s a beautiful establishment from others who’ve played here. There aren’t many theatres in the country that I haven’t performed in so I’m very much looking forward to it,” said John. This production is being presented, like many other favourite stage shows, by Bill Kenwright - he of the proverbial Midas touch. “Well, yes. Bill’s been doing this for a long time and what amazes me about him is his passion, his drive and his sheer love of what he does. I think he’s as enthusiastic today, if not more so, than he probably was decades ago. He’s a very, very great producer who allows you the freedom to create for yourself within a production. He also assembles the right team of people for a show, like our director Rachel Kavanaugh who has done a lot of Stoppard.”
Freely admitting that at heart he will always be essentially a song and dance man, John said there was nothing more gratifying than having a captive audience. “People in showbusiness are adrenalin junkies, thrill seekers,” he went on. “That rush of excitement, that sound of applause, is what you get when you’re performing. It’s wonderful.” And Eastenders’ charismatic Christian Clarke - was it a fun part for the versatile performer to play? “It was a very fun part, and I am very proud of my time on Eastenders. I have very fond memories of it. And, of course, the show broke down a few taboos and was groundbreaking regardless of religion and sexuality. But everything has a shelf-life and, as an actor, being in something for a long time is not in my remit. I want new challenges because that’s how you grow.”
John’s many West End credits include A Chorus Line, The Drowsy Chaperone, Tommy, Grease and Starlight Express. He performed in the original UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats when he was 16, before starring as Rum Tum Tugger in the West End production and appearing in the film of Cats alongside Elaine Paige and John Mills. He has also toured this country in Chicago the Musical, Miss Saigon and La Cage Aux Folles and has worked with celebrated singers and musicians including U2, the Pet Shop Boys and Mica Paris. A multi-talented all-rounder, John won last year’s Celebrity Masterchef. Buckinghamshire-born Simon Dutton, best known to TV viewers as ‘the famous Simon Templar’ in the late ’80s television films of The Saint, takes on the role of fading matinee idol Ivor in this hilarious comedy. “It’s such a good part for me to play in what is a very funny and mad play within a play. We are rehearsing a play on board a liner from Cherbourg to New York. It’s a brilliant play, as are all of Tom Stoppard’s, but it is also incredibly complicated and a little more technical than others I’d say,” the most engaging star told me. So, a typical Stoppard play, stocked up with colourful characters tangled up in a string of absurd events. “It’s like a farce and very much Stoppardian,” Simon, 61, replied. “His use of language is quite extraordinary. The first of his plays that I was aware of at school was Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. It’s such a clever one with extraordinary ideas.” Bringing together Tom Stoppard and Andre Previn - writer of the play’s lyrics and music - is a ‘dream team’ one can only wish for, I suggested. “Yes it most certainly is,” the friendly actor agreed, reminding me that Rough Crossing was a play with music rather than a musical. “And we’ve got song and dance in it which is always fun,” he said happily, adding that he had worked with producer Bill Kenwright before. “It’s so fantastic that he’s put this play on because it’s one of Tom Stoppard’s that’s not often done as you know,” he said, while going on to tell me that the much-celebrated playwright would be heading to Bath to see the production during its week-long run. Delighted to be coming back to the venue and city that he loves, Simon said he would be staying with friends nearby for the week. Somewhat modestly, Simon said he had been ‘very lucky’ to have done the things that he’s done. “I’ve been very fortunate in my career. I’ve had a fantastic time. I’ve enjoyed it,” he acknowledged. And The Saint - does Simon have happy memories of steeping into the proverbial shoes of George Sanders, Roger Moore and Ian Ogilvy? “Yes very happy memories. Simon Templar was great fun to play. I travelled the world and had a great time.” Simon’s many screen credits include roles in top TV favourites such as Endeavour, Doctors, Eastenders, Midsomer Murders and Doctor Who. He last performed at the Theatre Royal Bath in The Relapse in 1998. Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Sir Tom Stoppard, who began his writing career as a journalist on the Western Daily Press, is one of the most internationally performed dramatists of his generation. When he was awarded the David Cohen prize for a lifetime’s achievement in literature in 2017, he was described as a ‘giant of 20th-century British drama’ with an ‘outstanding and enduring body of unfailingly creative, innovative and brilliant work.’ He has written prolifically for stage, film, television and radio. His many plays include Jumpers, Travesties, Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia, The Real Thing, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Rock ‘n’ Roll and The Invention of Love. Knighted in 1997, he has received an Academy Award and and four Tony Awards. Composer Andre Previn, 89, has won multiple Academy Awards for his music scores for Gigi, Porgy and Bess, Irma la Douce and My Fair Lady. He received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy from the Recording Academy in 2010.