InterviewWithMelanie

Melanie Winrow Interviews

This interview was done whilst Richard was in Oklahoma.

Introduction to Richard Swerrun

Wow, what can I say! Richard Swerrun must be one of the nicest, kindest, gentlest people I have ever interviewed. He was incredibly patient, even when I made some pretty awful mistakes (such as when he explains about his one man show on the QE2 and I say I've heard he has a one man show!) And every time I've met up with him since then he seems genuinely pleased to see me. He was lovely last time I saw him (when I was very upset because Darren Clewlow had refused me an interview)

Richard was absolutely wonderful when I asked if he would be willing to help me make a mentally handicapped girl's dream come true. Leanne is the sister of my friend Nickey and she'd fallen head over heels in love with him. She desperately wanted to meet him. When I approached him Richard had no hesitation in suggesting I bring her to meet him one night - it turned out to be Meet The Cast Night when I took her! He suggested I took her backstage but I decided just to let her go to the party after the

show in case she was too over excited.

As it turned out, she was very shy and simply refused to let go of my hand for much of the time. All of a sudden I felt my arm twist painfully up my back. She'd seen Morgana the Witch (this was in Robin Prince of Sherwood)! Ann Smith who played her was a Star! She knew exactly how to handle Leanne and eventually she came out of her shell.

Then she saw Richard ....

Too late, I realised what was going to happen. Richard saw us and shouted over that he'd be back in just a second as he wanted to get a drink - but Leanne was stood right in his path. There was nothing for it but for him to stop o he asked one of the other cast members to get him a drink. He was brilliant about it. He cuddled her and seemed genuinely pleased when she presented him with two Christmas cards she'd hand made - promised her he'd keep them. (I hope he did because it would mean so

much to Leanne!) He stood with her for ages.

Not only is Richard a lovely person, but he is also extremely talented as well. I bought a tape of his from Lesley - but sadly it didn't work after the first two songs which was a real shame because he had a fabulous voice. (I'm talking here about the album "In Another Time").

In all honesty I don't really like the music from that era (songs like Crazy) but he changed my opinion completely. He's got a wonderful, haunting voice. I hope I do eventually manage to get hold of his 2nd record - and any others he might release. I actually asked my mum to look for the one that should have been released either last year or the one before when she went on holiday to America, but sadly she was unable to find it.

All I can say is that I somehow don't think that this will be the last we will hear of this versatile young actor/singer/dancer! With looks, versatility and talent to match, I believe he will scale the dizzy heights of stardom before too long. He deserves it! This interview with Richard will always remain one of my favourites (despite the sometimes toe-curling embarrassing moments where I put my foot in it.

In the words of audiences the world over at the end of the play:

MORE! MORE! MORE!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Transcript of Interview With Richard Swerrun

I'm sitting in the Liverpool Gladstone Hotel(!) And opposite me is Richard Swerrun.

That's right, that's me!

Richard, thank you for joining us.

Oh not at all darling, it's my pleasure - a pleasure.

First of all, could I just ask you how you got into acting?

How did I get into acting? Well, I joined an amateur society when I was 18. I'd

always loved show business anyway but I'd never really had the nerve to do anything

about it and, when I joined the amateur society I suddenly realised that's where I

should be. So from there I went on to college - and here I am now.

Do you come from a theatrical background anyway?

Not at all ... Well, in a way. My mother was a ballroom dancing teacher so that's

where I first got interested in acting and dance really, when I was about 5. But really

I'm the first thespian of the lot. (Laughs)

How did your family react to your going into this business?

Oh well they were a little bit shocked at first, but then they absolutely adored it. I think once they realised that I could actually make a living doing it (that was their major concern), they were really pleased.

Do they see all your shows?

Oh gosh, yes. Every week!

Have they seen Oklahoma?

Yes. Unfortunately my father's no longer with us but -

Oh not at all! But my mother comes every week and adores it.

(Oh God, what made me say this!) I saw the show myself last week -

Yes. It was a brilliant show but I wish I could have heard you!

The microphone must have been off. They had so much difficulty with the sound.

It was the Press Night -

That's right. It's always the way, isn't it? (I dread to think what Richard must have been thinking of me at this point)

(Trying to get the interview back on track!) Anyway, would you like to appear in a Soap Opera or in a big American soup?

I wouldn't say no if I was offered, but that's not my ambition, no. I'm more musical than anything else.

What would be your dream role then?

My dream role in a musical, you mean? Oh that's very difficult. (I think I've stumped him here because there's a long pause while he thinks about it) Goodness me, that is a difficult one. I don't know. I don't think I've got an actual specific role. There's lots of things I'd like to do and lots of songs I'd like to sing, lots of parts I'd like to play. I don't think I have actually got one I could pin down and say that is the one I'd like to do.

It's like playing Will Parker in Oklahoma. I'd never have thought of playing him but because he dances as well, it gives me an opportunity to dance. I get a lot of pleasure out of that.

The next show I do I might just be singing again, or I might be acting. There's something nice in everything you do, as they say, which is exciting.

Have you done television work at all? (I had been unable to dig up any information on

him at all in the short space of time I had to prepare for the interview - I didn't have

access to the Internet but that wouldn't have helped either at the time!)

Yes. Mainly it's been variety shows where I was singing. I've done shows like 3-2-1, Jimmy Tarbuck and Des O'Connor, and things like that. I did a very short stint in Emmerdale Farm a long time ago now - 8 years ago.

It's something which, because I do so much theatre, trying to fit television in is very difficult. I'm either at the other end of the country or somewhere else. It's very difficult to actually fit it in so you have to think to yourself, "OK, I'm going to do this now or I'm going to concentrate on television". And I'm lucky enough to be in a position to do that. One day I might decide to go for television but, at the moment,

I'm enjoying myself too much.

So if you had to choose between television and theatre work, which would you choose and why? (I can't believe I asked that - and by the look on his face, Richard can't either!)

I would choose theatre because I enjoy the audience and the lights - in fact, I enjoy everything that goes with theatre. Whereas television is very nice but it's a totally different ball game. You know that there might be 2 million people watching through the little glass screen but you can't feel them, so it's quite a cold atmosphere to be in. It's a good life in the theatre.

I know that you played the lead role in "Robin, Prince of Sherwood". Did you take over from Mike Holoway?

You also took over from him in Joseph as well -

(Alright, I'm boring myself so God only knows what I'm doing to our listeners! I've lost my thread and can't remember where I'm going with this. In desperation I skip to the next question) What was it like to work in those two musicals?

Great fun, great fun. They were totally different in that Joseph is a very easy part to play - it's not a very demanding role. OK, you have to sing but, when I took over Joseph I tried to put a lot more into it than was "written" shall I say - because otherwise he would become a very bland character. There's not a lot you can do with him.

Robin, on the other hand, involved a lot of acting and heavy singing so it was totally the other way round - there was a lot of running about and swashbuckling - so I enjoyed them both, but for different reasons.

Which was your favourite song in both those musicals?

Some day's I'd like "Close Every Door" and others I would like "Any Dream Will Do" when I was in Joseph. In Robin I think the finale was probably my favourite to sing. And there was "Bridge Across Forever".

The finale (Stronger With Every Beat Of My Heart) was a very hard song to sing, wasn't it? And wasn't Bridge Across Forever going to be released as a single?

That's right, but they never actually got round to it. That's not to say that it will never happen (it still might because everything is ready to go and one day they might play it again - you can never tell with these things.

There is an old saying, "Never work with children and animals" but you did both in Joseph.

Yes. I was constantly being upstaged by both of them in Joseph!

I think working with children is lovely, and I think the only reason they say that is they are so unpredictable - the donkey in Joseph was unpredictable many times! - but it was nice. It's a family show and kids love to see animals and people their own age on the stage. It makes it nice and warm and friendly for everybody. I had very little to do with the donkey!

I've got to ask you this because I've just been to see Joseph for what must be the 30th time (a gross understatement as I'm into 3 figures!) - I love the show! But there was a comment in the programme which really surprised me. The producer of the show now says that Joseph is a spoilt brat, he's been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and that basically, he is a horrible man. How do you feel about that? (I was paraphrasing here because I didn't have the programme to hand - the question just suddenly occurred to me.)

(Surprising me!) Oh it's quite true! Joseph was spoilt because all his brothers had nothing whereas he was given everything. So his brothers, when they did kill him - or try to - couldn't really be blamed because he was taking away all their privileges and he didn't really care!

But then again, I think he was a bit naive when he was young, he didn't do it intentionally. So when Joseph became Prince of Egypt - when he actually saves his brothers from being executed - he learns a lesson himself. They all do really. They realise that they were bad to have tried to kill him but he realises that he was bad to have made them. So that's the whole round up of the story.

Have you ever had any embarrassing moments - that you can tell us about - (Richard laughs) and have you ever had the giggles?

I get the giggles about once a week. Embarrassing moments - well I remember I was opening a show in a theatre in London. It was called "Why?" And my entrance was on a sort of spacecraft thing which came down from the Gods and landed on stage. A couple of nights in the mechanism which controlled it broke - so I was suspended, mid stage, for the entire show!

Oh no! (How's that for an original response!!!!!)

They couldn't get me up, down or anything. I had to hang there until the curtain came down and do everything from the spacecraft! It was quite embarrassing because I was supposed to be dancing a lot in it, as well! They mended that and it didn't happen again.

How do you feel when fans approach you when you're relaxing after a show?

Oh I think it's lovely. It's very sweet. I mean sometimes you think, "Oh no!" But most of the time I'm very grateful that they do. I think it's a very nice way of saying thank you - and I can say thank you to them as well, for coming to see the show.

I'm not sure how old you are, but you don't look more than about 20 -

What I'm trying to ask if, if you had children who wanted to follow you into show business, what advice would you give to them?

I expect I'd jump up and down and clap my hands together because if you really do enjoy this business it's the best one in the world, but if you're not really cut out for it, it's probably the worst. So if they were talented and they really, really wanted to do it, then I'd be very pleased for them. If, on the other had, they weren't talented and just did it on a whim, then I'd probably dissuade them.

Have you ever had a dream come true?

I don't know really. (Long pause while he thinks about it)

When I was young my dream was to sing with big orchestra's and things and I've done that. I suppose most of them really. I've enjoyed myself so much that it is all sort of blurred into one. I suppose I'm just very very grateful that I'm doing what I'm doing and enjoying every minute of it. I suppose that's as good as it gets!

The questions are going to change slightly now because the listeners are very interested in hearing about you, yourself, as a person. (Oh how I hate the way I word that!) First of all, the age old question. Do you believe in Love At First Sight?

Have you ever experienced it?

I haven't but I can certainly understand how people can get ... I don't know if you can call it "Love" at first sight, but that lovely warmth you get when you know you really get on well with somebody, you know you could talk to them forever sort of thing. So I can understand and I think that probably yes, people do fall in Love At First Sight.

You don't have to answer this if you don't want to. Who was the first girl you ever kissed - and I'm not including your mum in that!

I don't know. I started kissing girls at a very early age! Oh Lord, I really don't remember. I would have been very young, I do know that, but I don't know her name. It was a long time ago.

All right then. What makes you sad?

Cruelty to animals and children makes me very sad, injustice and - oh, that's quite a big question. I don't like to see people go without necessary things. I don't mind so much if I can see them wasting things - I think, "Well it's your fault", but when I think they should have something and they haven't got it, that makes me sad.

When did you last cry?

Probably yesterday! I'm a very emotional person and I cry at the snap of a finger.

That's good because there is a saying that men shouldn't cry - (Don't I mean a belief that men don't cry?)

I think all men cry. I cry a lot - and laugh a lot at the same time, so it's a nice balance.

(Did I really say this!!!!) You do seem more of an up person than a down one! (Oh God, he must think I'm such an idiot!)

Oh definitely more of an up!

(Blushing furiously) Sorry that came out wrong! (Richard laughs - who can blame him! Trying to get the interview back on track -) What's your happiest, or your earliest memory? (I should concentrate more - that was two questions in one!)

I think my earliest memory is of when I was in a pram and our dog (a Golden Retriever called Smiler) jumped up to have a look at me.

I couldn't possibly pick my happiest memory because I've got hundreds of them.

If you get a starring role in a musical - I know you say you are more interested in musicals than films - who would your leading lady be?

Gosh! I expect it would be Liza Minelli.

What is it about her that makes her stand out above all other people?

It's just her talent and her ability - I think she's gorgeous. There's quite a few ladies but I think I would choose her.

Do you have a bad temper and what makes you angry?

I do have a very bad temper but I think I've only lost it about twice in my life. (That always makes me laugh - how can someone have a bad temper if they hardly ever lose it?!) It takes me a long time to lose my temper. Ignorance makes me angry more than anything else - if people are ignorance towards someone it irritates me. And if they keep being ignorant after I've told them, that makes me angry too. But it doesn't happen very often.

Would you like to release a record?

Yes I'm about to release a record next year. I've recorded 6 tracks so far - that's the

trouble with being on tour, I can't always get back to the studio. It's going to be released in America first and then it will come over here next year.







			Melanie Winrow Interviews Richard Swerrun

		This interview was done whilst Richard was in Oklahoma.

	Introduction to Richard Swerrun Wow, what can I say! Richard Swerrun must be one of the nicest, kindest, gentlest people I have ever interviewed. He was incredibly patient, even when I made some pretty awful mistakes (such as when he explains about his one man show on the QE2 and I say I've heard he has a one man show!) And every time I've met up with him since then he seems genuinely pleased to see me. He was lovely last time I saw him (when I was very upset because Darren Clewlow had refused me an interview) Richard was absolutely wonderful when I asked if he would be willing to help me make a mentally handicapped girl's dream come true. Leanne is the sister of my friend Nickey and she'd fallen head over heels in love with him. She desperately wanted to meet him. When I approached him Richard had no hesitation in suggesting I bring her to meet him one night - it turned out to be Meet The Cast Night when I took her! He suggested I took her backstage but I decided just to let her go to the party after the show in case she was too over excited. As it turned out, she was very shy and simply refused to let go of my hand for much of the time. All of a sudden I felt my arm twist painfully up my back. She'd seen Morgana the Witch (this was in Robin Prince of Sherwood)! Ann Smith who played her was a Star! She knew exactly how to handle Leanne and eventually she came out of her shell. Then she saw Richard .... Too late, I realised what was going to happen. Richard saw us and shouted over that he'd be back in just a second as he wanted to get a drink - but Leanne was stood right in his path. There was nothing for it but for him to stop o he asked one of the other cast members to get him a drink. He was brilliant about it. He cuddled her and seemed genuinely pleased when she presented him with two Christmas cards she'd hand made - promised her he'd keep them. (I hope he did because it would mean so much to Leanne!) He stood with her for ages. Not only is Richard a lovely person, but he is also extremely talented as well. I bought a tape of his from Lesley - but sadly it didn't work after the first two songs which was a real shame because he had a fabulous voice. (I'm talking here about the album "In Another Time"). In all honesty I don't really like the music from that era (songs like Crazy) but he changed my opinion completely. He's got a wonderful, haunting voice. I hope I do eventually manage to get hold of his 2nd record - and any others he might release. I actually asked my mum to look for the one that should have been released either last year or the one before when she went on holiday to America, but sadly she was unable to find it. All I can say is that I somehow don't think that this will be the last we will hear of this versatile young actor/singer/dancer! With looks, versatility and talent to match, I believe he will scale the dizzy heights of stardom before too long. He deserves it! This interview with Richard will always remain one of my favourites (despite the sometimes toe-curling embarrassing moments where I put my foot in it. In the words of audiences the world over at the end of the play: MORE! MORE! MORE! *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Transcript of Interview With Richard Swerrun Melanie: I'm sitting in the Liverpool Gladstone Hotel(!) And opposite me is Richard Swerrun. Richard: That's right, that's me! Melanie: Richard, thank you for joining us. Richard: Oh not at all darling, it's my pleasure - a pleasure. Melanie: First of all, could I just ask you how you got into acting? Richard: How did I get into acting? Well, I joined an amateur society when I was 18. I'd always loved show business anyway but I'd never really had the nerve to do anything about it and, when I joined the amateur society I suddenly realised that's where I should be. So from there I went on to college - and here I am now. Melanie: Do you come from a theatrical background anyway? Richard: Not at all ... Well, in a way. My mother was a ballroom dancing teacher so that's where I first got interested in acting and dance really, when I was about 5. But really I'm the first thespian of the lot. (Laughs) Melanie: How did your family react to your going into this business? Richard: Oh well they were a little bit shocked at first, but then they absolutely adored it. I think once they realised that I could actually make a living doing it (that was their major concern), they were really pleased. Melanie: Do they see all your shows? Richard: Oh gosh, yes. Every week! Melanie: Have they seen Oklahoma? Richard: Yes. Unfortunately my father's no longer with us but - Melanie: Oh, sorry. Richard: Oh not at all! But my mother comes every week and adores it. Melanie: (Oh God, what made me say this!) I saw the show myself last week - Richard: Did you? Melanie: Yes. It was a brilliant show but I wish I could have heard you! Richard: The microphone must have been off. They had so much difficulty with the sound. Melanie: It was the Press Night - Richard: That's right. It's always the way, isn't it? (I dread to think what Richard must have been thinking of me at this point) Melanie: (Trying to get the interview back on track!) Anyway, would you like to appear in a Soap Opera or in a big American soup? Richard: I wouldn't say no if I was offered, but that's not my ambition, no. I'm more musical than anything else. Melanie: What would be your dream role then? Richard: My dream role in a musical, you mean? Oh that's very difficult. (I think I've stumped him here because there's a long pause while he thinks about it) Goodness me, that is a difficult one. I don't know. I don't think I've got an actual specific role. There's lots of things I'd like to do and lots of songs I'd like to sing, lots of parts I'd like to play. I don't think I have actually got one I could pin down and say that is the one I'd like to do. It's like playing Will Parker in Oklahoma. I'd never have thought of playing him but because he dances as well, it gives me an opportunity to dance. I get a lot of pleasure out of that. The next show I do I might just be singing again, or I might be acting. There's something nice in everything you do, as they say, which is exciting. Melanie: Have you done television work at all? (I had been unable to dig up any information on him at all in the short space of time I had to prepare for the interview - I didn't have access to the Internet but that wouldn't have helped either at the time!) Richard: Yes. Mainly it's been variety shows where I was singing. I've done shows like 3-2-1, Jimmy Tarbuck and Des O'Connor, and things like that. I did a very short stint in Emmerdale Farm a long time ago now - 8 years ago. It's something which, because I do so much theatre, trying to fit television in is very difficult. I'm either at the other end of the country or somewhere else. It's very difficult to actually fit it in so you have to think to yourself, "OK, I'm going to do this now or I'm going to concentrate on television". And I'm lucky enough to be in a position to do that. One day I might decide to go for television but, at the moment, I'm enjoying myself too much. Melanie: So if you had to choose between television and theatre work, which would you choose and why? (I can't believe I asked that - and by the look on his face, Richard can't either!) Richard: I would choose theatre because I enjoy the audience and the lights - in fact, I enjoy everything that goes with theatre. Whereas television is very nice but it's a totally different ball game. You know that there might be 2 million people watching through the little glass screen but you can't feel them, so it's quite a cold atmosphere to be in. It's a good life in the theatre. Melanie: I know that you played the lead role in "Robin, Prince of Sherwood". Did you take over from Mike Holoway? Richard: I did, yes. Melanie: You also took over from him in Joseph as well - Richard: That's right. Melanie: (Alright, I'm boring myself so God only knows what I'm doing to our listeners! I've lost my thread and can't remember where I'm going with this. In desperation I skip to the next question) What was it like to work in those two musicals? Richard:** Great fun, great fun. They were totally different in that Joseph is a very easy part to play - it's not a very demanding role. OK, you have to sing but, when I took over Joseph I tried to put a lot more into it than was "written" shall I say - because otherwise he would become a very bland character. There's not a lot you can do with him.

Robin, on the other hand, involved a lot of acting and heavy singing so it was totally the other way round - there was a lot of running about and swashbuckling - so I enjoyed them both, but for different reasons. Melanie: Which was your favourite song in both those musicals? Richard: Some day's I'd like "Close Every Door" and others I would like "Any Dream Will Do" when I was in Joseph. In Robin I think the finale was probably my favourite to sing. And there was "Bridge Across Forever". Melanie: The finale (Stronger With Every Beat Of My Heart) was a very hard song to sing, wasn't it? And wasn't Bridge Across Forever going to be released as a single? Richard: That's right, but they never actually got round to it. That's not to say that it will never happen (it still might because everything is ready to go and one day they might play it again - you can never tell with these things. Melanie: There is an old saying, "Never work with children and animals" but you did both in Joseph. Richard: Yes. I was constantly being upstaged by both of them in Joseph! I think working with children is lovely, and I think the only reason they say that is they are so unpredictable - the donkey in Joseph was unpredictable many times! - but it was nice. It's a family show and kids love to see animals and people their own age on the stage. It makes it nice and warm and friendly for everybody. I had very little to do with the donkey! Melanie: I've got to ask you this because I've just been to see Joseph for what must be the 30th time (a gross understatement as I'm into 3 figures!) - I love the show! But there was a comment in the programme which really surprised me. The producer of the show now says that Joseph is a spoilt brat, he's been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and that basically, he is a horrible man. How do you feel about that? (I was paraphrasing here because I didn't have the programme to hand - the question just suddenly occurred to me.) Richard: (Surprising me!) Oh it's quite true! Joseph was spoilt because all his brothers had nothing whereas he was given everything. So his brothers, when they did kill him - or try to - couldn't really be blamed because he was taking away all their privileges and he didn't really care! But then again, I think he was a bit naive when he was young, he didn't do it intentionally. So when Joseph became Prince of Egypt - when he actually saves his brothers from being executed - he learns a lesson himself. They all do really. They realise that they were bad to have tried to kill him but he realises that he was bad to have made them. So that's the whole round up of the story. Melanie: Have you ever had any embarrassing moments - that you can tell us about - (Richard laughs) and have you ever had the giggles? Richard: I get the giggles about once a week. Embarrassing moments - well I remember I was opening a show in a theatre in London. It was called "Why?" And my entrance was on a sort of spacecraft thing which came down from the Gods and landed on stage. A couple of nights in the mechanism which controlled it broke - so I was suspended, mid stage, for the entire show! Melanie: Oh no! (How's that for an original response!!!!!) Richard: They couldn't get me up, down or anything. I had to hang there until the curtain came down and do everything from the spacecraft! It was quite embarrassing because I was supposed to be dancing a lot in it, as well! They mended that and it didn't happen again. Melanie: How do you feel when fans approach you when you're relaxing after a show? Richard: Oh I think it's lovely. It's very sweet. I mean sometimes you think, "Oh no!" But most of the time I'm very grateful that they do. I think it's a very nice way of saying thank you - and I can say thank you to them as well, for coming to see the show. Melanie: I'm not sure how old you are, but you don't look more than about 20 - Richard: Oh thank you! Melanie: What I'm trying to ask if, if you had children who wanted to follow you into show business, what advice would you give to them? Richard: I expect I'd jump up and down and clap my hands together because if you really do enjoy this business it's the best one in the world, but if you're not really cut out for it, it's probably the worst. So if they were talented and they really, really wanted to do it, then I'd be very pleased for them. If, on the other had, they weren't talented and just did it on a whim, then I'd probably dissuade them. Melanie: Have you ever had a dream come true? Richard: I don't know really. (Long pause while he thinks about it) When I was young my dream was to sing with big orchestra's and things and I've done that. I suppose most of them really. I've enjoyed myself so much that it is all sort of blurred into one. I suppose I'm just very very grateful that I'm doing what I'm doing and enjoying every minute of it. I suppose that's as good as it gets! Melanie: The questions are going to change slightly now because the listeners are very interested in hearing about you, yourself, as a person. (Oh how I hate the way I word that!) First of all, the age old question. Do you believe in Love At First Sight? Richard: Yes I do. Melanie: Have you ever experienced it? Richard: I haven't but I can certainly understand how people can get ... I don't know if you can call it "Love" at first sight, but that lovely warmth you get when you know you really get on well with somebody, you know you could talk to them forever sort of thing. So I can understand and I think that probably yes, people do fall in Love At First Sight. Melanie: You don't have to answer this if you don't want to. Who was the first girl you ever kissed - and I'm not including your mum in that! Richard: I don't know. I started kissing girls at a very early age! Oh Lord, I really don't remember. I would have been very young, I do know that, but I don't know her name. It was a long time ago. Melanie: All right then. What makes you sad? Richard: Cruelty to animals and children makes me very sad, injustice and - oh, that's quite a big question. I don't like to see people go without necessary things. I don't mind so much if I can see them wasting things - I think, "Well it's your fault", but when I think they should have something and they haven't got it, that makes me sad. Melanie: When did you last cry? Richard: Probably yesterday! I'm a very emotional person and I cry at the snap of a finger. Melanie: That's good because there is a saying that men shouldn't cry - (Don't I mean a belief that men don't cry?) Richard: I think all men cry. I cry a lot - and laugh a lot at the same time, so it's a nice balance. Melanie: (Did I really say this!!!!) You do seem more of an up person than a down one! (Oh God, he must think I'm such an idiot!) Richard: Oh definitely more of an up! Melanie: (Blushing furiously) Sorry that came out wrong! (Richard laughs - who can blame him! Trying to get the interview back on track -) What's your happiest, or your earliest memory? (I should concentrate more - that was two questions in one!) Richard: I think my earliest memory is of when I was in a pram and our dog (a Golden Retriever called Smiler) jumped up to have a look at me. I couldn't possibly pick my happiest memory because I've got hundreds of them. Melanie: If you get a starring role in a musical - I know you say you are more interested in musicals than films - who would your leading lady be? Richard: Gosh! I expect it would be Liza Minelli. Melanie: What is it about her that makes her stand out above all other people? Richard: It's just her talent and her ability - I think she's gorgeous. There's quite a few ladies but I think I would choose her. Melanie: Do you have a bad temper and what makes you angry? Richard: I do have a very bad temper but I think I've only lost it about twice in my life. (That always makes me laugh - how can someone have a bad temper if they hardly ever lose it?!) It takes me a long time to lose my temper. Ignorance makes me angry more than anything else - if people are ignorance towards someone it irritates me. And if they keep being ignorant after I've told them, that makes me angry too. But it doesn't happen very often. Melanie: Would you like to release a record? Richard: Yes I'm about to release a record next year. I've recorded 6 tracks so far - that's the trouble with being on tour, I can't always get back to the studio. It's going to be released in America first and then it will come over here next year.