“ It’s been incredible. Standing ovations and lots of laughter. We couldn’t ask for more. ” Ben Richards talks about working 9 To 5 in the Midlands... 6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk
The last twelve months have presented you with very tough physical and emotional challenges beyond your control. But rather than choosing to take it somewhat easier, you’re embarking on a demanding tour. Where do you get your energy and motivation from? I had two choices; either beat this or die, and I wanted to beat it. The alternative wasn’t an option. I surrounded myself with positivity and just got through it. My family and best mate were amazing, I had a great bunch of chemotherapy and radiotherapy nurses around me, and a fantastic oncologist and surgeon. It’s not been easy, and at times I’ve been to some very dark places. But I’m very fortunate to have come out the other end, and by Christmas I should have finished all my chemo treatment. I’ve got a job that I love. I’m working with an amazing company doing an exciting new show and playing a really great role. How did starring in 9 To 5 The Musical come about? I was in a hospital bed when my agent called to tell me I’d got the role. It was perfect timing. It gave me something to look forward to and get fit for, so it was absolutely fantastic. 9 To 5 has now opened in Manchester. What’s the reaction been like so far? It’s been incredible. Standing ovations and lots of laughter. We couldn’t ask for more. Are you a big Dolly Parton fan? Yeah, who doesn’t love her? What’s your favourite Dolly Parton song? I love the song that I sing in the musical, Here For You; it’s just beautiful. I also defy you not to love Shine Like The Sun. It’s such a great end to Act <strong>On</strong>e. The show is just filled with great songs. Dolly’s so talented, it’s ridiculous. How hands-on has she been with the production? She’s very involved creatively with the show and speaks to the directors. She’s constantly tweaking it to get it right, and has added new songs to the production. The show has changed an awful lot since the American tour, and it’s just perfect now. It’s the right length and there are no dull moments, so it’s just full speed ahead from the first song onwards. It’s a fun-filled, action-packed two hours. We should have seat belts on those seats! Did you have to learn any new disciplines for this role? I wouldn’t say I had to learn any new disciplines, but I did have to find the nasty side of me and really explore that. My character is horrible! Do you have anything in common with your character, Franklin Hart Jr? I think all men have the ability to look at a woman and be distracted. A gentleman wouldn’t look, but we’ve all probably had a good peek! So we have the ability to display certain Franklin J Hart characteristics. The difference with Franklin is that he loves all that. But I like to think I’m a modern, Noughties man who behaves in a fairly gentlemanly manner. Who’s been the worst boss you’ve ever had to work for? I worked in a champagne and oyster bar where the boss had his head firmly up his rectum. He was so rude and demanding. A ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ doesn’t go amiss! What’s proving to be the most challenging aspect of performing in 9 To 5? Getting the balance right with this character - so that he’s horrible but believable - has been tricky, but it’s been fun to tap into that dark side of the personality and savour it. That and the fact that it’s very physically demanding. I’m trussed up, lifted up, beaten up and tied up. And I even throw Bonnie Langford around the stage at one point. Do you have a favourite scene? I personally enjoy singing Here For You; it’s a lot of fun. Natalie’s song Get Out And Stay Out is really beautiful, although I think my favourite moment is Change It. Do you have a particular routine that you perform before you go on stage? Apart from making sure I’m vocally and physically warmed up, checking my water at the side of the stage, and also making sure my hair and make-up is done, I’m ready to go. And how do you wind down postperformance? I find a nice glass of rioja does the trick! When did you realise you wanted to be an actor? I’ve always known I wanted to perform. When I used to watch my sisters dance, I wanted to join in. I was like Billy Elliott at the back of the class. So was dance your first love? Absolutely; the singing and acting came later. Can you remember your first professional role? I think it was probably panto, somewhere. Or it could have been as a dancer in Paignton. What's been your favourite role to date? I’ve been lucky in the sense that all the roles I’ve played have been so much fun and a challenge in their own right. It would probably have to be Saturday Night Fever, as interview... Probably best recognised for playing Bruno Milligan in Footballers’ Wives, and more recently PC Nate Roberts in The Bill, Ben Richards has also made numerous appearances in the West End - including an acclaimed turn as Sky Masterson in Guys And Dolls. Having recently battled with cancer, Ben’s back and fighting fit, appearing as egotistical boss Franklyn Hart in Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical. What’s <strong>On</strong>’s Alev Dervish recently met up with him to find out about his latest role... it’s the show that launched me. Since then I’ve played a footballer, a physio, a gambler, an unemployed stripper and a drag queen! Very varied! Are there any roles that you’d rather forget? Yes! There’s some stuff that I’ve done on TV which has been really cheesy, and some performances on film that I’ve not been at all happy with. Have you ever turned down a role and later regretted it? No, my gut reaction has always been right. Is there a particular musical in which you'd really like to perform in the future? If they ever did a musical of Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, I’d love to be in that. What have you got planned for the near future? I’m in a film called Chakara, which should be out soon. We shot that in India and Spain and it was a great experience. Then I’m off to LA in February to audition for some pilots. I’ve been wanting to go for a while. I was meant to go last year, but became ill. So I’ll definitely get out there this time... Finally, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from the events of the past ten months? Be honest with yourself. This is not a rehearsal, so enjoy life! Ben Richards stars in 9 To 5 The Musical at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Mon 19 to Sat 24 <strong>Nov</strong>ember, and at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from Mon 17 December to Sat 5 January. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7
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