Interviews | Interactive Theatre International

Meet the team: UK Tour Manager Caitlin Page

July 13, 2015 by Martina Melli

While we’re counting down the days until the London premiere of ITI’s new interactive show The Wedding Reception it’s the perfect time to catch up with UK Tour Manager and Production Assistant Caitlin Page who has been working on the show since the beginning. We interviewed her ahead of the London premiere and she shared some interesting insights with us.

Hi Caitlin. When did you realise you wanted to work in the arts?
It has always been a part of my background. I guess originally I got into theatre because as a kid I had some speech problems and theatre was a great form of speech therapy. There was a turning moment though, during my first semester at university (I have a BA in Advanced Theatre and Applied Theatre) and I took a module called Applied Theatre Fundamentals which was about the use of theatre in a non-theatrical context – not just for entertainment but more for therapy. That really ignited something in me. After that course I started to look more at post-dramatic, new wave and contemporary work; I was intrigued by forms that push the boundaries and I realised I wanted to be involved.

Why do you like theatre; particularly interactive theatre?
There’s something very cathartic about being able to immerse yourself into a completely new environment away from the external world. Sometimes it’s nice to step away from all of the other stresses in your reality. When a show happens to you, with you and because of you there’s a heightened sense of reality that makes it much more believable, playful and entertaining.

What was the show that has influenced you the most?
I was part of a show in my second year at university called Antigone – the famous Sophoclean play – adapted by Eamon Flack. The show was highly interactive in parts and I found so much joy in engaging the audience. It made me realise how playful theatre can be. Playing is important for all people; it’s a great way to keep in touch with yourself, express ideas and stimulate further thought and development. From when we are children it is the primary way our brains synthesise and learn about the world. The experience of collective playfulness, like in interactive theatre, gives people a great sense of freedom. I think sometimes interactive theatre can be a scary concept to people but the truth is it’s a safe reality, a reality where you share an experience with strangers (who won’t judge you). Especially in Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, people often find themselves sitting at a table with ten people they don’t know but as they start to talk and play they quickly build up a rapport with each other. It is a wonderful way to connect with other people.

Why do you like working at ITI?
I enjoy working in a creative industry with a sense of stability. My role in particular is great because there are so many different tasks that I am able to keep stimulated in diverse ways and always find myself with new challenges all the time. I like that it’s not too repetitive. The team is also very supportive. It’s a very lovely work environment.

What’s been your best moment at ITI?
I really liked the sense of completion that I got when we took The Wedding Reception and put it into rehearsal and then pushed it on stage at Brighton Fringe. That was a really good sense of fulfillment and I was proud to be a part of the production.

You were there at every stage of development for ITI’s new production The Wedding Reception. What was the hardest part?
At the time I was doing two full jobs between tour management and helping the production of the new show. It was great to have a challenge like that. I’d say the hardest part was having to sit on the sidelines while it was in development. Sometimes it would feel like I was invading a secret creative space – I was really close to the whole production but not exactly part of the show itself.

What do you like the most about the show?
I love Auntie Marge: she is absolutely mental and I swear I have an auntie just like her! Also Lynn! She reminds me of my family from Newcastle: the relentless insistence that she has to do something she thinks would benefit you even if you didn’t want it! I also really like the little moments between characters when things sync up: when something has clicked between two people you feel a sense of unity happening in the space. That real sense of connection between the characters pushes you into the story: it becomes more real.

What will people appreciate about this new show?
People will like the singing and the dancing; the show has a great way of energising you. Also the roving that happens – the interactive moments that you have with the single characters – is all very playful. Little by little after every performance the characters will develop more and more and become more multi-dimensional. This show has a lot of potential: the more you layer the characters, the more comedic material the show will have.

What are you excited about that is coming up?
I’m really excited about the new shows coming up in the future with ITI and the possibility of those shows touring across Australia and the UK. I like to watch shows grow as I did with The Wedding Reception and I know they are going to be excellent! I’m also very excited about Edinburgh Fringe: I look forward to seeing how The Wedding Reception will be received there.

After opening to excellent reviews at this year’s Brighton Fringe – ‘Highly recommended’ (FringeReview), ‘Thoroughly good fun’ (BN1 Magazine) – The Wedding Reception will have its London debut at Kingsway Hall Hotel in July and then play at Edinburgh Fringe from 11- 23 August. Here are some of our favourite moments from Brighton Fringe!

Happy birthday to us!

April 24, 2015 by Martina Melli

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience began in Brisbane on 24 April 1997. From humble beginnings it now features nine teams of performers and has just finished a debut performance in Singapore – the 26^th country it has been to.

To celebrate this special day, what better than to talk to Alison Pollard-Mansergh, the woman who is the driving force behind the company and show.

Hi Ali, have you always wanted to run your own business?

APM: No! My intention had simply been to make some acting work for myself. I’d moved to Brisbane, Australia from New Zealand, and when I couldn’t get an agent because of my New Zealand accent, I decided to do something that would keep me going for a few months while I developed an Australian one. I met Andy Foreman, a really talented performer and writer, and along with a third performer, we started working together.

You’ve created this show from nothing and it’s now 18 years old and performed around the world: how have you managed to have raise five children and survive two bouts of cancer at the same time?

APM: I laugh a lot! I’m not a wonder-woman just a really normal person who has had a huge amount of support. My husband has encouraged me from day one. Every single person who has worked in the company has contributed to the success of the show. I could never have done it alone.

Why did you think of doing a Fawlty Towers tribute show, specifically?

APM: I knew it would work, plus I could already do the Sybil laugh!

Did the Dining Experience idea come up at the beginning or did it come up later on?

APM: It was always based around a dinner. Between 1992 and 1996 I worked in a corporate theatre company in New Zealand, and many groups asked for entertainment during their conference dinners. Along with comedy waiters, singing chefs and other themes, Fawlty Towers characters mingling with the guests throughout the evening was a popular choice. This was the basis of the show that we started in 1997.

What are the core values of Interactive theatre International and of FTTDE in particular?

APM: Immersive, site-specific comedy is a passion of mine, so that’s what ITI is built to accommodate – not just for FTTDE but also for other shows we have in production currently. And you can’t get more immersive and site-specific than FTTDE!

Let’s talk about the new show, The Wedding Reception…

APM: I’m really excited about it. It premieres at Brighton Fringe from 1 May and it’s the first time that we’re touring the UK with a brand new show. It’s another immersive experience that people will easily relate to. All cultures are familiar with weddings. It will be fun to adapt TWR as we tour around the world.

You have performed the role of Sybil since the very start. Does she have something in common with you?

APM: For that, you’d better ask my husband but I guess so! As Peter often says to me: ‘Thank you Sybil, can I talk to Ali now?!’ (Laugh) Sometimes I even find myself speaking in an English accent and saying: ‘Oooh, I knooow.’

Why have you decided to stop acting the role of Sybil?

APM: I’ve been walking in Sybil’s shoes since 1992. With nine teams of Faulty Towers performers to manage, and developing new shows, I want to focus now on growing the company. Besides which, Sybil is a physically-demanding role. I will possibly play her again in the future, on special occasions and… at the fanciest venues! (Laugh)

The company has accomplished many things since 1997: 18 years of touring, enthusiastic feedback and reviews, participation in the most important arts festivals in the world. What are the next goals?

APM: The London West End residency was a big one. I set that goal in 2008 when we first appeared in the UK. I gave myself five years to achieve it, and we opened in October 2012. The next milestone was North America, and we’ve just done a very successful showcase in New York as well as a three-month stint at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto; my aim for the US, though, is a spot on Broadway or Madison Square Gardens… I’d like to celebrate the 20^th birthday of the show (2017) by opening our residency on Broadway.

According to each singular personality, how would Basil, Sybil and Manuel celebrate this anniversary?

APM: I think Sybil would celebrate with a really good dinner, some nice wine, and enough friends so that she doesn’t have to sit next to Basil!
Basil would have had no idea that it was a birthday until Sybil reminded him.
Manuel would just be incredibly grateful that he had a job. I imagine that he would be attempting to serve the celebration dinner and spill something over Basil!

Taken with The Faultys?

March 26, 2015 by Martina Melli

Dateline Saturday 21 March, Toronto: in a break from performing at the Sony Centre, Benedict Holme, Leigh Kelly and Imogen Miller Porter (aka Basil, Manuel and Sybil) joined television personality and film critic Richard Crouse on Canada’s NewsTalk 1010.

Listen to the podcast for a fun discussion about why interactive theatre is so popular – and about the possible future of action-men like Liam Neeson, Bruce Willis and Jason Statham!

Faulty Towers on Fresh Fringe at EdFringe

August 26, 2014 by Amy

Click the image below to listen to the whole interview.

Introducing… Brian Roche

April 5, 2014 by Amy

Brian Roche, our only Irish performer, has been playing Manuel since 2012 after meeting Alison Pollard-Mansergh at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2010. Since then he’s toured in the Netherlands, Australia, performed in London and of course Ireland. Find out a bit more about him here…

Q1: What’s your favourite part so far of working with Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, or your favourite Faulty moment?

My favourite part of working with Faulty is definitely the travelling around and the ability to meet so many people along the way. It’s been nearly three years since I met Ali [artistic director and show originator] and was cast in the show, and I have met so many wonderful people since then that I never would have met had I not been working here, be they cast members, staff at venues or audience members. There have been plenty of Faulty moments that I could call favourites, so it’s really hard to pick just one. Definitely getting out there performing at my first Faulty show ever in Utrecht is up there with my favourites.

Q2: Describe yourself in three words?

A Creative Memory-Seeker

Q3: What’s your best (or worst) corpsing story?

There’s two that I can think of off the top of my head. The first one was in Strangford, a lovely spot on the East coast of Northern Ireland. I was touring with Paul and Karina at the time. The meal was delicious for the punters, with a heap of beef, spuds, vegetables and gravy and everyone loved it except one lady. She called Peter (the manager), Manuel and Basil over separately with just a constant three-worded complaint in her real Northern accent – “Sprouts are Hard”. On her fifth or sixth time of saying the same thing, Paul and myself had to go into the kitchen to laugh it off. We still talk about it to this day – Sprouts are Hard!

From left to right: Suzanna Hughes, Brian Roche, Paul O’Neill

The second one was maybe a ‘had to be there’ moment. It was in the Vue Grand Hotel in Queenscliff, Australia in December last year. Myself, Karen and Ron were on our third night there and they had all been brilliant. It’s Manuel’s job to pick the table Basil and Manuel hide under at the end of the show and usually I have it sussed out pretty early. But on this night I didn’t, and I picked the absolute worst table for us to try and get under. It was small, cramped and we both were never going to be able to fit under there and had knees and feet of the people on the table digging into us straight away. As soon as we got under to wait for Karen to come out and discover us, I knew we were in trouble. Ron just looked at me with a big smile on his face and muttered ‘Oooh great job Manuel’. The way he said it still makes me laugh now.

Q4: What similarities and differences are there between yourself and the character you play?

We are both quite introverted with an exterior of extroversion. We both like to make other people happy and try our best but get it wrong sometimes. Also quite a few people usually can’t understand my Irish accent, especially in foreign countries like Holland, England and Australia. Or if they do, they repeat it just the way I’ve said it to mock it or copy it. Basil does that to Manuel quite a bit in the show. The differences are many! Age, and his appreciation of umbrellas to name but two.

Q5: If you were an animal, what animal would you be, and why?

I have always wanted to be a stag. I have a little brother at home, (anyone who has ever called my answering machine knows that), and we always used to pretend to be animals. I used always to choose the stag and pretend to be all graceful and proud. In reality I would most likely be some form of tenacious, small dog or bird that annoyed people with persistence.

Q6: Who’s your favourite cast member to share a dressing room with and why?

This is such a tough question to answer. Ali gave me this job and taught me so much about the show and acting in general when I started in Holland that I am very thankful for that. Myself and Paulie O’Neill have worked together so much that we know and trust each other onstage beyond anything. Donna is just amazing for encouragement and warmth and constant professionalism/advice even when we aren’t working together. Jack and myself would read Pinter and Beckett aloud at 3pm, bake bread and then talk a heap of manly rugby straight after. Karina knits me stuff and Suze sent me a tiger onesie that I still wear to bed. Rob is a wealth of knowledge and I also loved touring with Karen and Ron as they adopted me into the Aussie lifestyle, introduced me to awesome steak sandwiches and played me the most Aussie old rock on the radio any time we drove to and from venues. They also made me pose next to a dead Kangaroo at the side of the freeway. ROADKILL Yahoo!!! If I had to pick one person though, it would probably be Jordan Edmeades. He was in my first Faulty dressing room in the Netherlands and helped me out so much in finding the character when I was really struggling with it at the start. He put so much extra effort into trying to help me that he didn’t have to with no hesitation or complaining on top of his own heavy load that at the end of the tour, 12 or 13 weeks on, I knew I had found a friend whom I respected completely and was privileged to share a dressing room with.

From left to right: Brian Roche, Jordan Edmeades, Alison Pollard-Mansergh

Q7: If your character had a dating profile, what do you think it would say?

Ridiculously small Spanish gent seeks lady to cuddle up with by the fuego and tell him he has done a good honest day’s work.

Q8: What was your last tweet or Facebook status?

Tweet: The dot on the top of the letters “i” and “j” is called a tittle – the cross on top of a “t” is called a tattle. Facebook was a photograph of my home city of Limerick in Ireland.

Q9: What don’t you leave home without?

My iPod, a photo of my brother and sister, and most of the time a decent paperback book. Oh I have been known to carry a little Tiger teddy bear around too!

Q10: Do you have any hidden talents?

I love sports and played every sport I could growing up, hence my wonky boxing nose which was broken many times. I can backflip and walk on my hands, I keep that one pretty hidden. I also love springboard and platform diving, and dancing…that’s about it really.

Introducing… Benedict Holme

February 2, 2014 by Amy

Benedict Holme has been playing Basil Faulty in Faulty Towers The Dining Experience since April 2013. He has already toured in the UK and Canada and performed at the show’s residency in the Charing Cross Hotel in London’s West End. He’s currently touring Australia for the first time, experiencing Fringe World Perth, Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Q1: What’s your favourite part of working with Faulty Towers The Dining Experience so far, or your favourite Faulty moment?

Well, it’s no exaggeration to say that few acting jobs could be more perfect for a lanky, moustachioed actor with a travel bug. Ali [Artistic Director and Executive Producer] cast me in April 2013, and since then I’ve relished working with some wonderful and talented people, and in some amazing locations. I recently returned from a tour of Canada (where nearly every show ended with a standing ovation), and I leave in a few days’ time for a three-month tour of Australia. It’s a tremendous challenge to play such an iconic figure of British comedy in an interactive theatre context, but there’s no “buzz” quite like a show when the audience are 100% on your side.

Q2: Describe yourself in three words?

Fine ale connoisseur.

Q3: What’s your best (or worst) corpsing story?

A recent experience in Swindon springs to mind, when we were interrupted by a real life fire alarm and a real life (and extremely loud) plate smash, in both cases pre-empting the well-known routines from the show. We were half expecting a real life rat to scurry across the floor well in advance of his artificial counterpart making its scheduled appearance in Manuel’s box at the beginning of the second act. I can’t remember if any of this resulted in any actual corpsing, but we were close!

Q4: What similarities and differences are there between yourself and the character you play?

I’m sure some of my fellow cast members would tell you that very little transformation is required to turn Ben into Basil. Being tall, skinny, grumpy, and a bit posh, I’m pretty much there already. But whereas Basil gives full, irascible voice to all his angers and frustrations, Ben elects to simmer under the surface and brave life’s minor irritations with a big smile on his face 🙂

Q5: If you were an animal, what animal would you be, and why?

I’m thinking a blue whale. Being the largest organism that has ever lived, at least I’d know that nothing could eat me! Actually, didn’t David Attenborough show a baby one getting hounded by killer whales? I think I’d better be a killer whale instead, then. They can beat up great white sharks after all, and that might prove very useful when I’m in Australia!

Q6: Who’s your favourite cast member to share a dressing room with and why?

I think they’re all terrific, whether I’m sharing a dressing room, car journey, train journey, flight, beer, or mad excursion into a dangerous, litter-strewn abandoned Derbyshire cave-system with them!

Q7: If your character had a dating profile, what do you think it would say?

Ageing brilliantine stick insect seeks respite from rancorous coiffeured old sow.

Q8: What was your last tweet or Facebook status?

I’m not yet a Twitterer and don’t often update my Facebook status, but I’ll probably find time to make the obligatory “Farewell, friends!” speech before leaving for Aus.

Q9: What don’t you leave home without?

I was going to say a clean pair of socks, but we all know that’s a big lie, so it’s wallet and iPhone!

Q10: Do you have any hidden talents?

Burp-talking (not really).

No, as I bored other cast members with in Canada and on other tours, I’m a complete history buff, and can name virtually everyone who travelled on the Titanic. I’ve also been known to conduct personal Jack the Ripper tours for curious fellow cast members, who agree to suffer my heavily biased suspect theory providing there’s a Brick Lane curry at the end of it.

Faulty Towers on Pienaar’s Politics – BBC Radio 5

September 28, 2013 by Amy

Click here to listen to Rob Langston, Terence Frisch and Suzanna Hughes on Pienaar’s Politics from rainy Bournemouth on 15th September 2013.

Faulty Towers on ABC Sydney – 702 Drive with Richard Glover

September 25, 2013 by Amy

Click the image below to listen to the full interview with our Sydney Opera House debut team on 24th September 2013

Kingdom FM review & FringeReview Interview

August 27, 2013 by Amy

Click here for Kingdom FM’s great review of Faulty Towers The Dining Experience at Edinburgh Fringe or click the image below to hear Paul Levy of FringeReview’s interview with artistic director Alison Pollard-Mansergh.

The Birth of a new Basil and Sybil

August 25, 2013 by Jaya

We recently welcomed Lara Dignam and Paul Geoghegan into the Aussie Faulty family. Having auditioned early in 2013, they rehearsed in March with our team at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Joined by long-standing company member Daley Donnelly (Manuel) and with artistic director Alison Pollard-Mansergh there too, they had their first performance in June at the Warwick Show & Rodeo Society Dinner in southern Queensland. This is what they said afterwards…

FT: How were you feeling before your rehearsal on Friday? [the day before the Warwick show]

Paul: I think my main concerns were hoping to impress Ali and to do a good job in general. I was also hoping to have a good rapport with Daley.

Lara: Somewhat anxious!

FT: And after your rehearsal?

Paul: I was a bit brain dead. Learning and polishing in four hours what we covered in a week in Melbourne. When I got home I couldn’t think of a single thing I had done all day.

Lara: Amazing what putting on the wig and frilly shirt does for your character development!

FT: What was going through your mind on the drive to Warwick?

Paul: I spent the two hour drive enjoying the scenery. And listening to select episodes of Fawlty Towers to get me in the spirit of things. When we got to Warwick, I found a coffee shop and had some quiet time having a good coffee and reading over the script one last time.

Lara: I can’t believe the motel manager in Brisbane snubbed me because I’m in theatre and not on TV! I AM super important!!

FT: First impressions when you got to the Warwick Rodeo?

Lara: We were welcomed by seven year old twins wearing pink cowboy hats named Raven and Justice. It was a beautiful, peaceful area with friendly and eager people.

Paul: The first ten minutes of the show felt awkward but once we got everyone seated I was on. Daley and I found some good comedy with the way Manuel had set the table. And then the night went by with nearly no hitches.

FT: Were there any funny and/or frightening moments during your debut?

Paul: I don’t care to admit one minor thing that happened!

Lara: The moustache falling off (shouldn’t have bought the cheap glue Basil!).

FT: The post-mortem?!

Paul: Afterwards I felt good. Nothing was missed. No one got hurt. And everyone had a good time. For a debut performance, it was a good-sized audience to perform for. And performing with Lara and Daley was a delight. I can’t wait to perform with them again.

Lara: Glad the first one is over and looking forward to the next one.

Paul and Lara are now touring Australia.

For more information about our cast members, go to the Actors page on our website.
For show dates around the world, go to the Tickets page on our website.

Introducing… Karen Hamilton

August 22, 2013 by Jaya

Karen Hamilton has been a Sybil in Faulty Towers The Dining Experience almost as long as the show’s existed! Here are some of her best moments and touring stories. If you think this is bad, you should see the videos…

Q1: What’s your favourite part of working with Faulty Towers The Dining Experience so far or favourite Faulty moment?
A: My favourite part of working with ITI is the fabulously talented actors I get to work with. Favourite moment…hmmmm, the improvisation…one story…In Ireland at Mullingar, a gentleman keep standing through the first set piece. I only had to look at him, leave some silence and say “Hemorrhoids?”…and then wait 3 mins for laughter to die down.

Q2: Describe yourself in 3 words?
A: Outrageous, quick, shameless

Q3: What’s your best (or worst) corpsing story?
A: In Australia, Brisbane, Sybil entered to find Basil’s hand in Manuel’s jacket. “Basil what are you doing?” Basil “Ummm, I’m just checking Manuel’s angina.” Manuel: “But I’m a boy”. We all stood still and the audience laughed and tears of laughter ran down our faces but our faces stayed the same for about 5 mins. Sybil: “…right”

Q4: What similarities and differences are there between you and the character you play?
A: I have Sybil’s forthrightness & drink abilities myself but little else. As my son said in Edinburgh at the age of 10…”Mummy I’m so glad your not like her.”

Q5: If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?
A: A duck, or Chinese chicken. Happy to just pluck around all day.:)

Q6: Who’s your favourite other cast member to share a dressing room with and why?
A: Of the current cast…Andy Foreman. We always end up laughing. And we tend to be on the same twisted wavelength.

Q7: If your character had a dating profile, what do you think it would say?
A: Charming lovely English lady seeks wealthy Mediterranean gentleman. Will beat current husband to death in order to be available.

Q8: What was your last tweet or Facebook status?
A: Today I’m not aiming for fabulous just unique.

Q10: What don’t you leave home without?
A: Well the kids think I should wear a bra.

Q11: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: OH YES!

Introducing… Andy Foreman

July 9, 2013 by Jaya

Not many contemporary performers can claim to have worked with Bing Crosby and Morecambe and Wise, but this is how Andy Foreman started his career. Since then, he has featured in film, TV and theatre in the UK, Canada and Australia, and he continues to work as a Clown Doctor and scriptwriter. Andy began working with Faulty Towers The Dining Experience in 1997 and has been winning five-star reviews as Manuel ever since.

We asked Andy a little bit about himself and his character:

Q1: What’s your favourite part of working with Faulty Towers The Dining Experience so far or favourite Faulty moment?

A: I love seeing people cry with laughter.

Q2: Describe yourself in 3 words?

A: Quiet.

Q3: What’s your best (or worst) corpsing story?

A: There were so many in the earlier years as we discovered what these characters could do in this setting, and how the audience would play along.

Ridiculous conversations with guests make me laugh. But I can’t repeat one, that’s why you have to be there.

Q4: What similarities and differences are there between you and the character you play?

A: We’re both emasculated but only I know what that means.

Q5: If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?

A: Fox. I look like the underdog but I’m getting lots of chicken. (Chicken’s a metaphor for good things, not women)

Q6: Who’s your favourite other cast member to share a dressing room with and why?

A: After two months on tour together, whoever the next one is!

Q7: If your character had a dating profile, what do you think it would say?

A: If Manuel had to do it in English:

Emasculated Spanish waiter with nice ass would like to meat women.

Q8: What was your last tweet or Facebook status?

A: I just saw The Book Of Mormon and it was brilliant.

Q10: What don’t you leave home without?

A: My Tom Bihn ID bag, and a reason

Q11: Do you have any hidden talents?

A: No, they’re all on show. Except riding a unicycle.

Andy is currently performing at Charing Cross in London until the end of August. Check out our available dates if you’d like to see him!

Introducing… Suzanna Hughes

June 5, 2013 by Jaya

Q1: What’s your favourite part of working with Faulty Towers The Dining Experience so far or favourite Faulty moment?

A: I just love playing Sybil. I was born in the ‘70s so was a young child when Fawlty Towers first aired. My primary school teacher, who encouraged me to be an actress, was a massive Fawlty Towers fan and we used to watch it on a huge box TV in the school library. The characters are so iconic and have stood the test of time. Sybil is such a fantastic character to play and I can’t believe that it’s my job!

Q2: Describe yourself in 3 words?

A: Blonde, dogs, ABBA

Q3: What’s your best (or worst) corpsing story?

A: I haven’t really corpsed myself yet, but watching Jordan (who plays Basil) with his head out of the door laughing at the little boy who stole the show by doing Basil’s bottle trick was very near!

Q4: What similarities and differences are there between you and the character you play?

A: My husband would probably say lots of similarities and no differences…Oh, except I don’t play golf! I do however talk non-stop, incessant rubbish and spend far too much on my hair and co-ordinating shoes.

Q5: If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?

A: I would be my dog ‘Trevor’, who’s a 12 year old Yorkshire Terrier. I’ve had him since he was a puppy and he’s spoilt rotten. Dogs are so much fun, loyal and loving. I adore him.

Q6: Who’s your favourite other cast member to share a dressing room with and why?

A: Ooh that’s so difficult, I’d hate to pick a favourite out of the boys… I do love the chemistry between Jack and Ed, they teach me lots of rude words and wind me up non-stop. I also love Paul and Brian, Paul says working with me and Brian is like being Dad to two squabbling twelve year olds, which I think must be a compliment?!

However, I’m going to go with Donna: although I never work with her as she’s another Sybil, she was there to guide me on my first two performances. I was really nervous but she held my hand and listened to me jabber on about total rubbish while providing a soothing motherly ear…she’s lovely!

Suzanna with Paul O’Neill (left) and Brian Roche (right) at The Charing Cross Hotel.

Q7: If your character had a dating profile, what do you think it would say?

A: Elegant, glamorous lady seeks gentleman who likes golf, big hair and listening!

Q8: What was your last tweet or Facebook status?

A: It was a picture of a baby monkey!

Q10: What don’t you leave home without?

A: Hand cream and Trevor (wherever possible)!

Q11: Do you have any hidden talents?

A: I think for anyone who has seen my Sybil’s rendition of Happy Birthday would have to agree that it is Opera singing!

I can also speak in almost any UK and worldwide accent!

You can follow Suzanna on twitter @SuzannaHughes to hear first hand what touring and performing with Faulty Towers is like.

Suzanna is currently performing at Charing Cross until the end of June and will then be at the Ghent Festival in Belgium in July.

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