Interview with ROB COPE

Rob Cope was a volunteer at the Theatre Royal from when it reopened in 1983. He worked both front of house and back stage. You can read his reviews of various current shows like ‘Kinky Boots’ and bands like Steeleye Span & the Brotherhood Of Man (yes they are still going!), over on his blog – highly recommended and well worth a visit.

When did you work at the theatre and in what capacity? How did you become involved in the Theatre Royal?

It was March 1983 I think, I had read the Theatre Royal were looking for volunteers and went to help out one night and ended up carrying a prop table on stage for variety star Tessie O’Shea. I guess I was hooked on theatre from then on. I ended up doing a short stint in the box office, lots of front of house and then onto stage crew and spotlight work. I also did a couple of panto seasons as dresser to first Wayne Sleep and later Frankie Howerd (and THAT was an experience, as you might guess).

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Which shows did you enjoy the most and why?

For someone who hadn’t had any experience of professional theatre before, it was all very new and exciting. The first big musical I saw was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which has remained a favourite for that very reason all these years later. But the wonderful thing about the Royal was that you would get opera, musicals, comedians, ballet, plays, circuses… in those early days there really was something for everyone and fascinating to watch the shows come and go. I remember walking through the pass door one night from front of house to backstage and coming face to face with a camel and a caged tiger just in front of me!

What performers and actors/actresses did you enjoy seeing the most and why? Which perfomer(s) surprised you the most (in that they were much better than expected) and which performer(s) were a let down and why?

It really was a joy seeing live some top notch artists. Billy Connolly was one I remember very well. His two nights were totally different. Most of the material on the second night was all about Stoke because he had spent the day going around the city. I remember The Nolans surprised me a lot, I had seen them on many TV shows and thought nothing much about them but live they were simply superb, such incredible harmonies and voices. There were not many people who disappointed. I was never much for Bernard Manning. Although his material is not the sort of thing I gravitate to anyway, he seemed very unprofessional. He arrived in a dirty track suit and proceeded to cadge cigarettes off the audience throughout his act. No semblance of presentation.

I was introduced to The Rocky Horror Show there and it was through that I ended up going on tour to a few dates doing the merchandising for John Farrow. The Theatre Royal Hanley PLC incredibly became a production company which started with the amazing four year tour of Rocky Horror and I suppose reached it’s peak with the production of Cabaret starring Wayne Sleep and directed by (Dame) Gillian Lynne which went into the West End. I will never forget watching Gillian chorerograph Wayne Sleep in a tap dance to one of Hitler’s speeches on the stage of the Royal. Just breathtaking to see such top flight performers at work. And the theatre also produced the stage tours of Prisoner Cell Block H, at that time at the height of its television fame.

Of course you also have to mention (Sir) Ken Dodd, such a huge supporter of the Royal over the years. Quite literally the funniest man I ever saw in a lifetime of going to live entertainment. He was quite brilliant in a way you very seldom see. I remember one night my stomach hurt laughing so much during the first (two hour) half of the show I just couldn’t go back in for the second, I was hurting too much.

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Your memories of the fellow staff/volunteers you worked with?

I’m sure a lot of the volunteers I remember are no longer with us as they were not spring chickens back then, but everyone was so dedicated and believed in not just the Royal but live entertainment full stop. The Ankers family seemed to live there and so too the Powells. Without their dedication there would have been no theatre for all the acts to appear at. I felt sometimes Managing Directors and those in charge of the theatre over the years never quite appreciated the sacrifices they – and a lot of others – made to keep the theatre open on a day to day level.

Why do you think the Theatre Royal never quite got the success it deserved?

I think it was all a bit political really. There are stories of producers absconding with money and it all gets a bit murky during the active years from the early 80s. Mike Lloyd made a wonderful attempt to put the Royal back on the map when it was failing and I was very sad to see that too eventually crumbled. I do feel that there was room for both the Regent and the Royal. They could have complimented each other nicely.

If in an ideal world an investor came along, do you think the theatre could be restored to its former glory or is it best left in the past?

The building has now been deconstructed as a theatre and to revive it would take a rebuild of massive proportions so financially I don’t think it will ever happen. “All things must pass” as George Harrison says, but what memories all of those who worked in that building have. It fostered a life time of theatre going for me which continues to this day. I saw so many legendary performers at the height of their powers and for that I shall always be extremely grateful. The Theatre Royal Hanley will have a special place in the hearts of everyone who worked there or was a regular visitor. Happy days.

Interview with Jeffery Longmore (Frank’n’Furter in the Rocky Horror Show)

Jeffrey Longmore was the first Frank ‘n’ Furter for the Kenneth More Theatre/Theatre Royal Hanley production of the Rocky Horror Show. Jeffrey was kind enough to answer a few questions about his time in the show and his more recent work in pantomimes and his company Stagecentre.

How did you land the role of Frank ‘N’ Furter and were you offered any other roles in the show before this?

I was working at Oldham Coliseum as a part of the regular acting company and the Artistic Director was looking for a musical. I suggested Rocky Horror as I had seen it at the Kings Rd Theatre with Tim Curry and was knocked out by it. He applied for the rights and amazingly he got them. So that was how I came to play Frank and I wax the first person to Play it outside of London, it was the regional premiere. Vivyan Ellacott then asked me to play it at the Kenneth More for 2 weeks then we did it there again which then came to Theatre Royal Hanley, and the rest is history.

What did you enjoy most about the Frank ‘N’ Furter role?

Frank was a terrific part to play. He was so strong and dynamic and enigmatic, it felt really powerful to play. Also you had the opportunity to really interact with the audience. It was tremendous and a joy to perform.

Looking back did you and fellow cast members have any idea how popular the show would become?

I never thought the show would become so popular, and I don’t think the rest of the cast did. We had lots of followers who came to every venue on the tours.

Did you ever think that the audience reaction and participation would be as dramatic as it was and how did you deal with that as an actor?

The audience reaction was overwhelming. It grew and grew,to the point where I thought the audience were taking over. When I left the tour in Bath I had 2 bouncers with me when I made my first entrance as Frank through the auditorium so they could protect me from being grabbed by the audience. I found it hard work to top the audience. I was invited to the 40th Anniversary performance at Manchester Palace and I was so glad I wasn’t performing because the audience reactions were nonstop and I though they spoiled the show as a result of the involvement.

Other than Hanley of course, what was your favourite tour venue and why?

I loved playing Hanley, and as I came from Stoke it became a very special place. My other favourite venue was Wolverhampton Grand. Packed out all week but on the first night the front rows were full of men who were all sitting with tartan blankets covering them. At the end of the show they threw off the blankets to reveal their fishnets and heels and performed a high kicking routine all in unison. Brilliant.

In more recent years you have been a very successful panto dame. What is it about being a dame that attracts you to the role? How long does it take on average to ‘dame up’ for a show?

Yes Panto Dame has been a big part of my career. I finished panto recently at the Charge Theatre in Preston doing Widow Twankey. Again playing Dame is like playing Frank. You are in control, you can ad lib and you have a fantastic array of frocks. It takes me 10 mins to get ready.

Which pantomimes have you enjoyed the most and why?

I always like Aladdin, I enjoy most Pantos, not so keen on Sleeping Beauty or Beauty and the Beast but my all time favourite is Mother Goose but this is rarely performed these days.

You now run Stagecentre whereby you take theatre to schools. How has this built up over the years and what has been your proudest achievement to date?

My company is called Stagecentre, where I do something called Play in a Day, which is exactly what it says. I have other actors who work for me, and it has become more popular over the years. I take great pride from the reaction I get from the children and teachers, I feel it’s a great achievement. I still work as an actor, recently been in Coronation Street for the 4th time, and also do role playing for Manchester university with medical students.

Rocky Horror Show final night of the 1988 tour with Mark Turnbull

Interview – Paul Wood (worked at the theatre between 1983-2000)

This interview was conducted a few years ago…

When did you work at the theatre and in what capacity?

I started in April 1983 and worked as a Front-Of House volunteer until December 1993 when I was taken onto the payroll in a full-time capacity as Stage Door Keeper. I remained in that post until the closure of the theatre itself in 2000 through three different managements (with occasional periods of unemployment between each one!). I was actually on duty on the very last show ever staged at the Theatre Royal, thus therefore the last in a long line of Stage Door Keepers. I’m proud to have been there on that final night.

How did you become involved in the Theatre Royal?

I wanted to see Barry Howard (one of the starts of TV’s ‘Hi-De-Hi’) live on stage there but couldn’t afford a ticket! I then saw that the Theatre was looking for volunteers and figured that this was an excellent way to see the show after all. Cheeky, but true! However, in my defence, I did end up dedicating 17 years of my life to the place so it wasn’t a totally selfish tactic!

Which shows did you enjoy the most and why?

It was always the plays, particularly the comedies. They quite often starred a lot of big TV names from the classic comedy shows. John Inman, Trevor Bannister, Brian Murphy, Ian Lavender were just a few of the many I saw in those early days.

Any shows/performers that sent a shudder down your spine?

Seeing Billy Connelly live on stage is something I will never forget. I saw the second of a two night run he did. Many staff said the first night was the better of the two. I can only say that he must have been on incredible form that first night because the show I saw the following evening was awesome.

What performers and actors/actresses did you enjoy seeing the most and why?

As mentioned above, TV names were always a big draw for me. I was thrilled to see Colin Baker of Dr. Who fame. We also had shows from many famous comedians such as Rowan Atkinson and the legendary Ken Dodd perform sell-out shows.

Your memories of the fellow staff/volunteers you worked with?

I have countless warm memories of many people I worked alongside in those days. Some of them are still friends to this day and we often talk about the Theatre Royal. I also remember one or two lovely people that we lost at the time.

Why do you think the Theatre Royal never quite got the success it deserved?

In a word: cash. Funding was always a problem. I think a lot of it was down to Council politics. In its heyday, the Theatre Royal was the top venue in Hanley & was greatly valued. When it burned down in the late 1940s it was rapidly rebuilt at great expense. Move on several decades and there was an obvious change in attitude from the powers that be. Come the 1980s, the Council seemed to see it as more of an embarrassment. The only time the revived Theatre Royal had any decent money spent on it was when Mike Lloyd purchased & refitted the building to a high standard in the late 1990s. But market forces outside of Mike’s control were destined to finally bring the curtain down less than three years later.

If in an ideal world an investor came along, do you think the Theatre could be restored to its former glory or is it best left in the past?

Probably best left in the past. Only the outer shell resembles the wonderful building I once worked in. Most of the inside has been radically changed (not for the better!). Even if you could dig up the original plans and painstakingly restore the place piece by piece, it would not be the original Theatre we all knew and loved. R.I.P. Theatre Royal, that’s what I say!

Welcome!

The Theatre Royal/The Royal was first opened in 1871 and finally closed, after fires, being a bingo hall and a few years ‘dark’ in 2000. Today it hosts a night club and comedy club, although the original upper circle seating and lighting areas are still intact.

For a potted history of the theatre please visit http://www.thepotteries.org/buildings/theatre_royal.htm

and for the technical aspects of the building and the list of past owners please visit here

There is also a very interesting Facebook tribute page featuring many photos (mainly from the 1980’s shows) compiled and run by former employee at the theatre Andrew Ankers.

Plus a forum to read and share memories of the theatre, the shows and the people who worked and performed there. http://therockinchair.proboards.com/board/13/memories-theatre-royal-hanley