Polar opposites sites
Timothy Spall and James Nesbitt play good and bad Santas in a new family drama. But what was their best – and worst – Christmas?
‘I’ve got seven grandkids… I go out panic-buying’
TIMOTHY SPALL
The Heist before Christmas is a darker take on the traditional story — did that appeal to you?
Yeah – it’s not schmaltzy. It’s not set in an idyllic Christmas land. The kids in the story are from a tough background, their mother is struggling. But we mix that social commentary with magic – they stumble upon my character and in my mind he could be, and possibly is, the real Mr Claus.
Have you ever been Father Christmas before?
No, never. Though interestingly enough, I am a “Christmas”. Well, my father’s mother’s maiden name was Christmas. She was Maggie Christmas. So, it’s meant to be! I just needed to get to the right age.
Did you draw on any screen Santas for your performance?
I looked at It’s a Wonderful Life. He does have a touch of Clarence about him, Santa, doesn’t he? He’s angelic, I think. He is a saint, after all – Saint Nicholas. As for Santas… my son Rafe was in Get Santa with Jim Broadbent, who was wonderful in that.
What was Christmas like for you as a child?
We lived on a council estate. Mum was a hairdresser and Dad a postman, so we were fortunate. They’d put our presents at the end of the bed and there was a lovely rhythm to the day. After lunch my folks would go to the pub, then everybody would have a kip, then we’d eat again.
What was the best present you ever received?
I remember getting a Grundig cassette player. It looked like a little old-fashioned radiogram. I remember looking at it and thinking, “I bloody love this.” Really, really revelling in the thinness of it.
And the worst?
I recall being deeply disappointed when I didn’t get a Johnny Seven, a combat machine gun that fired hand grenades. I think I was about 26. Ha! No, I was about six. I got a lorry instead. I sort of enjoyed being disappointed. I still hanker after that Johnny Seven…
Do you remember that when buying presents today?
I’ve got seven grandkids ranging from five to 15. I go out panic-buying, because I want to make sure that all my grandkids have the same amount. Though half the presents get used once!
Do you have your own Christmas traditions?
I’ll tell you one I want to bring here. In Catalonia they have a thing called Caga Tió, which is a ▷
◁ long log with a sort of face on it. On Christmas Eve, the kids whack it with sticks, and they sing, “Caga Tió,” which is “Poo log!” And the log poos out presents. That really appeals to me. If you’re having a bad Christmas, bring out the pooing log!
Speaking of which, have you ever had a bad Christmas?
Well, you never quite know how they’re going to turn out, do you? There’s always a certain amount of pressure, especially when you have a big family, to make everybody happy. There have been some bad times where we’ve lost loved ones. To anybody who’s in that position, they have my deepest sympathy. And sometimes the escapist, spiritual, beautiful, giving side of Christmas – it often augments that pain for people.
And there’s the commercial side of it, the pressure, the gluttony, the spending of billions of pounds on something that, if you wanted to be deeply miserable or practical, could go to a better cause… you just have to remember, the ultimate motivation is love and giving. That is a great, great thing.
Jimmy, you’re not exactly known for family fare — why did you want to be Santa?
I liked the idea of doing something Christmassy. Plus, Tim and I did a film together a long time ago called Lucky Break, and I wanted to work with him again.
Have you ever been Father Christmas before?
I think I went in as Father Christmas at a primary school years ago – my sisters are teachers. Having said that, if I look now at my CV, I’ve probably played him three times!
Who are your favourite screen Santas?
I love Richard Attenborough in Miracle on 34th Street. There was a real twinkle in his eye. I also think Billy Bob Thornton nailed it in a different way in Bad Santa.
A classic Santa and a bad Santa — that’s basically Tim and you in
The Heist before Christmas! Exactly! That’s funny. That was accidental.
What was Christmas like growing up?
I loved Christmas. I grew up in the Northern Irish countryside with three older sisters. We weren’t isolated, but Christmas was about family and just us. We didn’t have an awful lot of money. Presents were a treat – now, with the proliferation of gifts, it’s almost like buying one a week for children.
What about your presents? What was the best or worst one you ever had?
My dream present was my first bike, a Nippy. I remember coming downstairs and it was in the middle of the room. In my mind, the rest of the room was black, and there it was, glowing. I loved it. Then a few years later, I wanted a Chopper bike, but I got bloody Meccano instead. My friend Samuel got a Chopper, and it was devastating.
Did you have any family traditions growing up?
My father and I used to collect the turkey from a local farmer and hang it in what was called “the glory hole” under the stairs. Often, I’d forget and go into the glory hole and be confronted by the upside-down head of a turkey. But it was really joyous overall. There was music, presents, lots of fun and games. It was a magical time.
Is there a stand-out Christmas?
The best times have been since my children were born. I separated from my wife, Sonia, quite a while ago, but we were together for a long time. When the kids were old enough to enjoy it – when Peggy was about six, and Mary was two or three – and they could both share that wonder of Christmas. Sonia and I, the night before, did stockings, got the living room ready and put the presents out. And then the kids came down in the morning and opened the door. That lives with you for ever.
‘I wanted a Chopper, but I got Meccano. It was devastating’
JAMES NESBITT