Post by aniram on Jan 14, 2008 22:49:44 GMT 10
www.ripitup.com.au/interviews/6265
FRANK WOODLEY
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION
by Scott McLennan
As one of Australia’s favourite comedians, Frank Woodley’s rubbery grin and elongated limbs have served him well throughout his career with former comedic partner Colin Lane as well as solo appearances on popular programs such as Spicks And Specks and Thank God You’re Here. Returning to Adelaide’s Fringe Festival with his spirited new solo show Possessed, Frank admits that another vocation would be difficult considering his goofy persona.
“A few years ago I was living in the country out of Melbourne in Warrandyte for a while and I joined the CFA,” Frank states of his work with the local volunteer fire brigade. “As well as fighting fires and other community things, the CFA are also responsible if there’s a car accident to go there and support the people involved and cordon off the road so that there’s no further accidents. Although I never had to do that, I did imagine what it would be like if you’d seen The Adventures Of Lano & Woodley TV series and then you were in a car accident, trapped in your car and you’re feeling quite upset. Then you hear a knock on your window and it’s me in a CFA outfit saying, ‘Don’t worry mate, we’re going to get you out as soon as I can’. It wouldn’t be very reassuring for people, so I think I’ve found about the only job that I can do well.”
Lano & Woodley notched up international comedy awards, a popular television program and sold-out tours in their decade together before going their separate ways after their 2006 Goodbye farewell show. With Lano portraying the dictator and Woodley the self-proclaimed ‘happy dickwit’ during their comedic reign, Frank is unafraid of the public underestimating his intelligence and expecting a bumbling fool off-stage as well as on.
“No, because it’s pretty accurate actually,” Frank laughs. “Recently in Melbourne – actually it was around 15 years ago – I was running for a tram and I pulled myself onto the bar of the tram just as the door closed in front of me. I had to ride all the way to the next stop hanging onto the bar on the outside of the door. So that sort of thing actually does happen to me. When people used to ask Col how we came up with ideas, he used to say he just followed me around and watched what happened to me. People do assume that I’m stupid, but that’s a correct assumption.”
Possessed, Frank’s first national solo show, features a score performed by Paul Mac and finds the gifted physical performer falling in love with the ghost of a 19th century shipwreck victim.
“I always wanted to do a big solo show and I also wanted to have a crack at a romantic comedy, so I was thinking that maybe I could do a solo romantic comedy where I fell in love with myself. Although it was just a stupid joke initially, I started thinking about having a ghost possess me and then I fall in love with the ghost. I have to help free her from the curse she’s under.
“I’ve done six trial shows in a theatre called St Martin’s in Melbourne and the first show went for two hours. In my life I’ve had about seven baths – I don’t tend to have them as they’re not one of my things, but I think I had four of them in that first week. A solo show that is action comedy for two hours was quite gruelling and very physical. I was doing lots of stunts and it was like I’d been playing in the grand final every night. It’s down to about an hour and a quarter now so we’ve had to work out which stunts are practical to do night after night.
“It’s really not dissimilar to the Lano & Woodley style, but maybe there’s a bit more set stuff and a few more props. It’s basically in the same style so what I really do is work out a story and a bunch of comic routines to fulfil that story, but there’s always room for improvisation within those scenarios. There’s also a narrator character who is an old Italian sea-dog who relates directly to the audience, so he can talk to the audience and improvise off the audience a bit more – hopefully with hilarious results!”
Have you ever seen a ghost?
“No, I haven’t, so I should have done some research, shouldn’t I? I could have gone on one of those haunted tours where they take people who are right into that stuff and stay in a haunted house. It’s quite funny, because I’m wondering if doing this show about a guy being possessed by a ghost might mean a whole lot of supernatural dudes might come along and be quite into it, but I’m quite sceptical about all that stuff actually. Maybe by me doing this show I’ll draw all this supernatural events to me that will test my scepticism. The next time you talk to me I’m going to be a nervous wreck, since things are going to start floating around in the dressing room.”
Admitting to nerves prior to his improvised television appearances on Thank God You’re Here, Frank suggests his slapstick and accidental tomfoolery have also been nerve-wracking for the producers.
“I think I’ve had a bit of a reputation ever since I was in the pilot episode. I was selling sinks or bathroom wares and I decided to come through the door in a cheeky dancey way, but I didn’t realise that across the bottom of the door frame was a piece of four by two. I tripped on it and dropped this porcelain sink, which just smashed everywhere.
“I have a reputation of leaving a trail of destruction in my wake.”
Frank Woodley performs Possessed at The Arts Theatre from Thu Feb 21 to Sun Mar 16.
