InterviewWithMelanie2

Melanie Winrow Interviews

Richard Swerrun cont...

What's it going to be called?

(Laughs) Well that's a big help!

(Also laughs) Yes! I've got about 10 tracks to do, I think, so as soon as I've finished it - which will take almost a year - then we'll have to sit down with the record company and decide what to call it. As soon as I do know, I will let you know.

If you wouldn't mind. I certainly want a copy of it because you've got a lovely voice. (Actually that's an understatement!)

Thank you very much.

(Trying to cover the fact that I'm embarrassed) I've lost my place now! What is your worst fault?

I suppose it would be that I can be very selfish. Not intentionally, but I tend to think that I must do this and that and the other, and I forget that somebody else must do something they want to do as well. It comes as quite a shock sometimes!

What are you most afraid of and do you have any phobias?

I don't know what I'm most afraid of. I don't like standing on tall buildings if I've got nothing to hold on to. Then again, I don't mind flying or jumping out of aeroplanes so I haven't got a fear of heights exactly.

Other than that I don't know - I suppose the things most people are afraid of - dark streets and alleyways and being mugged, and things like that. I'm not afraid of the dark or anything. I used to be afraid of spiders but I've got over that - I look on them as little people now, talk to them because it makes them feel better!

(Deliberately repeating the second half of the question) Do you have any phobias? (How could I be so stupid! He fed me a question there and I didn't pick him up on it. I should have asked him how many times he's jumped out of an aeroplane!)

Not really, no. I shall have to get one now - I can't be without a phobia! (Laughs)

Are you superstitious and do you believe in Life after Death?

Yes to both. Very much indeed.

Talking about superstition, do you have a good luck charm that you take with you to all your shows?

Yes, I have a little black cat that sits on a little cushion - it's porcelain - on my dressing table. I always have safety pins everywhere on my costumes - not because they hold them together, but just because I like safety pins. (it's just a silly thing I've got) That's about it really.

What makes you believe in life after death? I mean, is it something you've experienced - I mean, have you seen - (Oh boy, am I embarrassed now!)

(Laughing as he realises what I've just said. Very kindly he puts me out of my misery

as he knows I've embarrassed myself) I've not seen ghosts or anything! I just feel there's something there. I'm sure there is.

It's a nice thought. If you were stranded on a Desert Island, what 3 luxury items would you take with you and why?

A book, certainly; Oh Lordy! I'd have to take a record or a CD player because I like music that much; and probably a huge tub of Hagen Daas Ice Cream (laughs) I could eat it while reading my book and listening to my CD!

(Before I can say anything else, murmuring can be heard which is too quiet for the tape

to pick up.) Oh we've just been asked if we wanted a drink, that's what that pause was about! Do you play any musical instruments?

I started learning to play the piano - thanks mum (his mum's just brought his drink to him!) - when I was very young, but I decided to stop when I was about 12. I'll always regret that. One day I shall learn the piano again, when I have the time. But I don't actually play anything at the moment.

What's your most treasured possession?

(With no hesitation whatsoever) My dog! Well that's wicked to call him a possession, isn't it? I shouldn't call him a possession, he's my friend.

He's called Derek. He's a little West Highland terrier and he's the cutest thing on 4 legs. He's had a bath today so he's particularly smelly as well, which is very nice!

Oh Lord! My most treasured possession would be my home I think.

What's the most extravagant thing you've ever done?

I do extravagant things all the time. The most extravagant thing I ever did was, er - I went to a party one Saturday night and on the Sunday morning I decided to fly to New York for a day. So I did!

It must have cost you a fortune!

It didn't actually. I can't remember how much it cost because it was about 10 years ago, but I flew out on the Sunday morning and came back on Sunday night! I didn't even see New York, just the airport!

What's your idea of the perfect Christmas Day?

That's the only day I insist that I have my own way because I adore Christmas but it has to be just right.

My perfect Christmas Day is to get up very, very early and to have a shower, get dressed properly. Then go for a cup of coffee or something, take the dog for a walk, go to church, come home and have a huge breakfast, then not stop eating and drinking all day until I fall asleep at night!

What's been the best present you ever had?

Oh Lord! The best present I ever had was when I was 9 years old and I thought I wasn't getting many presents for Christmas - mum and dad said I wasn't getting many presents. When I got up in the morning, there, laid out in the lounge, was a 10 ft x 12 ft train set with a big fort in the middle with all soldiers and everything on it. I loved it very, very much.

Have you still got it?

No. I sold it when I was about 16 because I didn't have anywhere to put it. But it was sold to a collector so he's probably looking after it now.

How do you relax when you're not working?

I go swimming and to the gym. I do class occasionally. I walk Derek a lot - walk Derek even more, bath Derek. I clean the house a lot - I love housework.

You can come to our house then!

My biggest way to relax is to go to Safeway or Tesco and just buy everything. Buy the time I've walked all the way round the supermarket I've relaxed!

Do you get nervous before you go on the stage?

Yes. Not "terrified" nerves, just butterflies.

Have you ever had stage fright or fluffed your lines?

Yes I've fluffed my lines - I fluffed a whole scene once, in a play!

I did a scene, got changed and they called, "Mr Swerrun, you're on stage!" And I didn't know what they meant. Then all of a sudden I realised I'd missed a whole scene! They had to bring the curtain down and start the play again!

Oh no! I would have thought that was more likely to be your most embarrassing moment!

(Laughs) Yes it probably was actually, I quite agree with you!

What was the first record you ever bought?

That was Michael Jackson singing Rockin' Robin. That was the first single. The first LP I ever bought was called "Star Parade" and it was all different artists like Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Glen Miller. I love that record and I've still got it. (It hasn't got any grooves left but I've still

Who do you most admire?

I admire quite a lot of people really. In the business I most admire - oh Lordy! - I suppose it's people who are stars and have managed to remain there for a long time due to their talent not the merchandise.

What about in a personal sense?

(Looking slightly sad for a moment) In a personal sense, I suppose I admire - my mum and, I suppose my father (God rest his soul).

Not as much as I should be! I do believe, but I'm certainly not - er, I mean, I think I'm quite a good Christian but I don't exactly do it by the book, no. I don't take as much time as I should.

There's an old saying - another one I'm afraid - that "school days are the best days of your life."
(Laughs) I can see by your face! Do you agree with that and were you a model pupil?

I was a terrible pupil but I had a wonderful time at school. I never stopped laughing. I used to hate going in because I knew that by the end of the day my sides would ache because I laughed so much. I was very lucky in that I went to a wonderful school and I thoroughly enjoyed my school days.

To say they are the best days of your life - they're not. It's up to you what you make of the rest of your life. I mean, I'm having a ball now so, although I had a wonderful time at school, they weren't the best time of my life.

It's a shame that people say that because it means that the majority of their life is going to be miserable! I feel sorry for people like that but, as I say, I'm lucky because I'm doing a job I love so I'm having a ball all the time. I'm spoilt to death really, aren't I? (Laughs)

If you could change anything about yourself, be it in looks or in personality, what would it be?

I'd probably like to be a bit harder, not so sensitive. Sometimes it's nice but sometimes it's a big weight. And I'd probably look like Mel Gibson!

I'll say this for all the listeners - he looks near enough to Mel Gibson anyway! He's really nice looking! Lovely looking in fact!

(Blushing and laughing) Ah, thank you.

If your career fell apart tomorrow, what would you do?

I'd be a designer of some sort.

You like using your hands?

Yes, I like painting. That's one of the hobbies I'll have when I eventually do have time to take one up. So I'd probably like to be an interior designer.

Just a couple more questions - oh sorry! I've forgotten to ask you one! Did you ever work with Mike Holoway when he was in Joseph?

No never, because we both played Joseph. I've never worked with Mike. I think we've only met once. He's a very nice, good looking, talented guy but, because we both play the same sort of part, it's very difficult to put is both in the same musical.

Oh. I didn't know whether you'd been in it while it was being run by Bill Kenwright? (What on earth did I mean by that? I don't understand me asking that question now!)

No because Mike was, I think, about 3 Joseph's before me. I was the penultimate Joseph.

Did you come to Liverpool with it?

Yes, we came to Liverpool about 3 or 4 years ago.

Oh well I must have seen you in it then.

You probably did. I was very blond then. Then Mike did Robin and I took over Robin. We always seem to be following each other around. (Laughs)

Where do you see yourself, say, 5 years from now?

I don't really know. I've got no idea. Hopefully I shall still be singing on the stage but who knows. It's all in God's hands. God willing, I shall still be singing on the stage.

What are your plans for the immediate future? After Oklahoma?

I'm going on a very long cruise - well that's an exaggeration - I do about 4 or 5 weeks a year on the QE2 World Cruise, where I do my one man show. It's very nice because I get a holiday, which saves me having to have a holiday, if you see what I mean. So I'm doing that for 5 weeks when I finish. Then when I come back I've been offered 3 or 4 shows and I don't know which one I'm going to choose yet.

I believe you've got your own one man show, as well - (how stupid can you get! He's just said that!)

(With admirable patience!) Yes, that's what I do on the QE2!

Is there any chance of you bringing that to Liverpool?

I don't think so. It's not really a theatre show, it's more of a concert really. I dare say if I was a bigger name, like Cliff Richard, then yes, sure - I could fill a whole theatre then, couldn't I?

The trouble is that not a lot of people know who I am so I don't think I'd sell a lot of seats. They'd say,
(Attempting a scouse accent here) "Who's that? What do he do?"

(Disappointed) There's always the Neptune, which is the smallest theatre.

I expect I could probably fill the Neptune. That would be all right. I mean, you never know, one day if a producer gets interested, who knows.

(Reluctantly I decide to end the interview as I know he's just finished a show, needs to

get his tea and get back to the theatre for the evening performance. I could talk to him

all day, though) Richard Swerrun, thank you very much.

Thank you darling, it was very nice.

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				Melanie Winrow Interviews Richard Swerrun cont...

		Melanie: What's it going to be called? Richard: I don't know yet! Melanie: (Laughs) Well that's a big help! Richard: (Also laughs) Yes! I've got about 10 tracks to do, I think, so as soon as I've finished it - which will take almost a year - then we'll have to sit down with the record company and decide what to call it. As soon as I do know, I will let you know. Melanie: If you wouldn't mind. I certainly want a copy of it because you've got a lovely voice. (Actually that's an understatement!) Richard: Thank you very much. Melanie: (Trying to cover the fact that I'm embarrassed) I've lost my place now! What is your worst fault? Richard: I suppose it would be that I can be very selfish. Not intentionally, but I tend to think that I must do this and that and the other, and I forget that somebody else must do something they want to do as well. It comes as quite a shock sometimes! Melanie: What are you most afraid of and do you have any phobias? Richard: I don't know what I'm most afraid of. I don't like standing on tall buildings if I've got nothing to hold on to. Then again, I don't mind flying or jumping out of aeroplanes so I haven't got a fear of heights exactly. Other than that I don't know - I suppose the things most people are afraid of - dark streets and alleyways and being mugged, and things like that. I'm not afraid of the dark or anything. I used to be afraid of spiders but I've got over that - I look on them as little people now, talk to them because it makes them feel better! Melanie: (Deliberately repeating the second half of the question) Do you have any phobias? (How could I be so stupid! He fed me a question there and I didn't pick him up on it. I should have asked him how many times he's jumped out of an aeroplane!) Richard: Not really, no. I shall have to get one now - I can't be without a phobia! (Laughs) Melanie: Are you superstitious and do you believe in Life after Death? Richard: Yes to both. Very much indeed. Melanie: Talking about superstition, do you have a good luck charm that you take with you to all your shows? Richard: Yes, I have a little black cat that sits on a little cushion - it's porcelain - on my dressing table. I always have safety pins everywhere on my costumes - not because they hold them together, but just because I like safety pins. (it's just a silly thing I've got) That's about it really. Melanie: What makes you believe in life after death? I mean, is it something you've experienced - I mean, have you seen - (Oh boy, am I embarrassed now!) Richard: (Laughing as he realises what I've just said. Very kindly he puts me out of my misery as he knows I've embarrassed myself) I've not seen ghosts or anything! I just feel there's something there. I'm sure there is. Melanie: It's a nice thought. If you were stranded on a Desert Island, what 3 luxury items would you take with you and why? Richard: A book, certainly; Oh Lordy! I'd have to take a record or a CD player because I like music that much; and probably a huge tub of Hagen Daas Ice Cream (laughs) I could eat it while reading my book and listening to my CD! Melanie: (Before I can say anything else, murmuring can be heard which is too quiet for the tape to pick up.) Oh we've just been asked if we wanted a drink, that's what that pause was about! Do you play any musical instruments? Richard: I started learning to play the piano - thanks mum (his mum's just brought his drink to him!) - when I was very young, but I decided to stop when I was about 12. I'll always regret that. One day I shall learn the piano again, when I have the time. But I don't actually play anything at the moment. Melanie: What's your most treasured possession? Richard: (With no hesitation whatsoever) My dog! Well that's wicked to call him a possession, isn't it? I shouldn't call him a possession, he's my friend. Melanie: What's his name? Richard: He's called Derek. He's a little West Highland terrier and he's the cutest thing on 4 legs. He's had a bath today so he's particularly smelly as well, which is very nice! Oh Lord! My most treasured possession would be my home I think. Melanie: What's the most extravagant thing you've ever done? Richard: I do extravagant things all the time. The most extravagant thing I ever did was, er - I went to a party one Saturday night and on the Sunday morning I decided to fly to New York for a day. So I did! Melanie: It must have cost you a fortune! Richard: It didn't actually. I can't remember how much it cost because it was about 10 years ago, but I flew out on the Sunday morning and came back on Sunday night! I didn't even see New York, just the airport! Melanie: What's your idea of the perfect Christmas Day? Richard: That's the only day I insist that I have my own way because I adore Christmas but it has to be just right. My perfect Christmas Day is to get up very, very early and to have a shower, get dressed properly. Then go for a cup of coffee or something, take the dog for a walk, go to church, come home and have a huge breakfast, then not stop eating and drinking all day until I fall asleep at night! Melanie: What's been the best present you ever had? Richard: Oh Lord! The best present I ever had was when I was 9 years old and I thought I wasn't getting many presents for Christmas - mum and dad said I wasn't getting many presents. When I got up in the morning, there, laid out in the lounge, was a 10 ft x 12 ft train set with a big fort in the middle with all soldiers and everything on it. I loved it very, very much. Melanie: Have you still got it? Richard: No. I sold it when I was about 16 because I didn't have anywhere to put it. But it was sold to a collector so he's probably looking after it now. Melanie: How do you relax when you're not working? Richard: I go swimming and to the gym. I do class occasionally. I walk Derek a lot - walk Derek even more, bath Derek. I clean the house a lot - I love housework. Melanie: You can come to our house then! Richard: My biggest way to relax is to go to Safeway or Tesco and just buy everything. Buy the time I've walked all the way round the supermarket I've relaxed! Melanie: Do you get nervous before you go on the stage? Richard: Yes. Not "terrified" nerves, just butterflies. Melanie: Have you ever had stage fright or fluffed your lines? Richard: Yes I've fluffed my lines - I fluffed a whole scene once, in a play! I did a scene, got changed and they called, "Mr Swerrun, you're on stage!" And I didn't know what they meant. Then all of a sudden I realised I'd missed a whole scene! They had to bring the curtain down and start the play again! Melanie: Oh no! I would have thought that was more likely to be your most embarrassing moment! Richard: (Laughs) Yes it probably was actually, I quite agree with you! Melanie: What was the first record you ever bought? Richard: That was Michael Jackson singing Rockin' Robin. That was the first single. The first LP I ever bought was called "Star Parade" and it was all different artists like Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Glen Miller. I love that record and I've still got it. (It hasn't got any grooves left but I've still got it!) Melanie: Who do you most admire?

		Richard: I admire quite a lot of people really. In the business I most admire - oh Lordy! - I suppose it's people who are stars and have managed to remain there for a long time due to their talent not the merchandise. Melanie: What about in a personal sense? Richard: (Looking slightly sad for a moment) In a personal sense, I suppose I admire - my mum and, I suppose my father (God rest his soul). Melanie: Are you religious? Richard: Not as much as I should be! I do believe, but I'm certainly not - er, I mean, I think I'm quite a good Christian but I don't exactly do it by the book, no. I don't take as much time as I should. Melanie: There's an old saying - another one I'm afraid - that "school days are the best days of your life." (Laughs) I can see by your face! Do you agree with that and were you a model pupil? Richard: I was a terrible pupil but I had a wonderful time at school. I never stopped laughing. I used to hate going in because I knew that by the end of the day my sides would ache because I laughed so much. I was very lucky in that I went to a wonderful school and I thoroughly enjoyed my school days. To say they are the best days of your life - they're not. It's up to you what you make of the rest of your life. I mean, I'm having a ball now so, although I had a wonderful time at school, they weren't the best time of my life. It's a shame that people say that because it means that the majority of their life is going to be miserable! I feel sorry for people like that but, as I say, I'm lucky because I'm doing a job I love so I'm having a ball all the time. I'm spoilt to death really, aren't I? (Laughs) Melanie: If you could change anything about yourself, be it in looks or in personality, what would it be? Richard: I'd probably like to be a bit harder, not so sensitive. Sometimes it's nice but sometimes it's a big weight. And I'd probably look like Mel Gibson! Melanie: I'll say this for all the listeners - he looks near enough to Mel Gibson anyway! He's really nice looking! Lovely looking in fact! Richard: (Blushing and laughing) Ah, thank you. Melanie: Sorry! Richard: Not at all! Melanie: If your career fell apart tomorrow, what would you do? Richard: I'd be a designer of some sort. Melanie: You like using your hands? Richard: Yes, I like painting. That's one of the hobbies I'll have when I eventually do have time to take one up. So I'd probably like to be an interior designer. Melanie: Just a couple more questions - oh sorry! I've forgotten to ask you one! Did you ever work with Mike Holoway when he was in Joseph? Richard: No never, because we both played Joseph. I've never worked with Mike. I think we've only met once. He's a very nice, good looking, talented guy but, because we both play the same sort of part, it's very difficult to put is both in the same musical. Melanie: Oh. I didn't know whether you'd been in it while it was being run by Bill Kenwright? (What on earth did I mean by that? I don't understand me asking that question now!) Richard: No because Mike was, I think, about 3 Joseph's before me. I was the penultimate Joseph. Melanie: Did you come to Liverpool with it? Richard: Yes, we came to Liverpool about 3 or 4 years ago. Melanie: Oh well I must have seen you in it then. Richard: You probably did. I was very blond then. Then Mike did Robin and I took over Robin. We always seem to be following each other around. (Laughs) Melanie: Where do you see yourself, say, 5 years from now? Richard: I don't really know. I've got no idea. Hopefully I shall still be singing on the stage but who knows. It's all in God's hands. God willing, I shall still be singing on the stage. Melanie: What are your plans for the immediate future? After Oklahoma? Richard: I'm going on a very long cruise - well that's an exaggeration - I do about 4 or 5 weeks a year on the QE2 World Cruise, where I do my one man show. It's very nice because I get a holiday, which saves me having to have a holiday, if you see what I mean. So I'm doing that for 5 weeks when I finish. Then when I come back I've been offered 3 or 4 shows and I don't know which one I'm going to choose yet. Melanie: I believe you've got your own one man show, as well - (how stupid can you get! He's just said that!) Richard: (With admirable patience!) Yes, that's what I do on the QE2! Melanie: Is there any chance of you bringing that to Liverpool? Richard: I don't think so. It's not really a theatre show, it's more of a concert really. I dare say if I was a bigger name, like Cliff Richard, then yes, sure - I could fill a whole theatre then, couldn't I? The trouble is that not a lot of people know who I am so I don't think I'd sell a lot of seats. They'd say, (Attempting a scouse accent here) "Who's that? What do he do?" Melanie: (Disappointed) There's always the Neptune, which is the smallest theatre. Richard: I expect I could probably fill the Neptune. That would be all right. I mean, you never know, one day if a producer gets interested, who knows. Melanie: (Reluctantly I decide to end the interview as I know he's just finished a show, needs to get his tea and get back to the theatre for the evening performance. I could talk to him all day, though) Richard Swerrun, thank you very much. Richard: Thank you darling, it was very nice. *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** * * * *