Preview Of A Christmas Carol - Blackpool Opera House

The Charles Dickens Christmas classic is due to get the full Broadway treatment this Christmas over in Blackpool at the town's Opera House. Currently starring in EastEnders, Paul Nicholas is starring as Ebenezer Scrooge in this lavish production that will include falling snow, great dance sequences and a recreation of the streets of London in Dickens time. Children go free too on certain performances.

I asked Paul about the show in between rehearsals for the production.

It sounds a very big show, what can we expect?

Musically the show is very strong and it is the classic Dickens tale. The production has a Disney like quality to it. The creative team behind the show also did Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. It will be an entertaining family show, there is a great cast, all well trained. I have to say that the young dancers all learn quickly these days and there are some superb dancers performing.

There are a lot of ghosts in the show so children will love it. The book is also part of the National Curriculum so it is educational as well as entertaining.

You directed Tommy that also appeared in Blackpool earlier this autumn too

I did, I was actually in the film version of Tommy in 1975. I'm friends with Pete Townshend and the film was a big success. It was a pleasure to bring it to Blackpool because the theatre is fantastic, lots of atmosphere and a very big stage. They have a roll of honour on the wall, I appeared in Barnum in 1991 and I've just seen my name on there!

You have had a varied career, actor, director and even had a brief stint as a pop singer.

I started off my musical career as the piano player for Screaming Lord Sutch, then I went on to the musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar. I wanted though to have a go at being a pop star, every singer wants to be successful so I went out looking for some good song writers. I had quite a few hits such as Dancing With The Captain and Grandmas Party, it was a fun time and I got to appear on Top of the Pops many times.

Do you enjoy Christmas?

For artists like me Christmas is a working time either doing panto or shows like this. The Blackpool show runs for nearly a month so it's like having Christmas every day for me and the cast. I like Christmas, I get a day off for Christmas Day so I will go back home after the performance on Christmas Eve and then be back up here for the show on Boxing Day.

You have played in many theatres across the country, do you have any favourites?

The Alhambra in Bradford is one of my favourites, it is a nicely run theatre, it has so much history and you can tell all the staff know what they are doing. It is very well run.

Do you enjoy doing the pantomimes?

I do, I did one in Hull a few years ago with Keith Harris, I played Captain Hook in Peter Pan. I think shows like the Blackpool one and pantomimes get children into the habit of gong to the theatre.

What have you lined up after the show finishes in January?

I am actually in EastEnders at the moment playing Gavin, so that will continue filming in the new year. He is not a very nice guy. I find baddies are far easier to play than the good guys. Trying to act nice and charming is far harder.

Do you ever get a chance to visit the theatre and be part of the audience?

I get to see the odd show but it's hard when I tend to be so busy working. I went to see the Agatha Christie play And Then There Were None which was very well acted. I like to keep working as much as possible though.

A Christmas Carol runs at Blackpool Opera House from 4 December to 3 January.

Tickets from
www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk