Tim McArthur: “It is very important to support smaller venues, both new and old”

Director and choreographer Tim McArthur hosts the radio show ‘The Curtain Up Show’ which began at Ressonance 104.4FM earlier this year and comes back to the radio waves on the 5th October.

Alongside the radio show, Tim is currently directing SHE LOVES ME, which will run at Ye Olde Rose And Crown Theatre Pub in London from 9th to 27th October 2012. Tim has an extensive career as a director; his recent credits include THE SUNNY SIDE OF THESTREET, BEWITCHED BOTHERED AND BEWILDERED and SECRET SONDHEIM at the Jermyn Street Theatre; and BLINK AGAIN at the Above at The Stag.

Tim McArthur tells us about the return of The Curtain Up Show, his point of view about the current situation of Musical Theatre in the West End, and about his new theatrical projects.

HOW IS THIS NEW SEASON OF ‘THE CURTAIN UP SHOW’ GOING TO BE LIKE?
We have some great guests coming on the show from casts of TABOO, Our boys, LOSERVILLE, THE LAST SESSION and some well-known artists from whom we are waiting for confirmation. There may also be quite a surprise show just before Christmas. I can’t wait to get back on the airwaves and have fun.

WHICH IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS RADIO SHOW?
The main purpose is to focus wholeheartedly on the world of theatre and to celebrate, inform, have fun and educate listeners about what is going on in that fabulous world. London Theatre is such an important part of our great city. There is so much going on all the time, from fringe theatre to the West End. We also feel it is very important to support smaller venues, both new and old, as well as the main, well-known West End venues. I love talking to all the guests and finding out about their careers. I aim to make them feel relaxed so that the conversation flows. When I interview my guests I want them to feel like they have popped round to my place for a cappuccino or a glass of wine and a gossip.

HOW DID IT COME UP THE IDEA OF CREATING ‘THE CURTAIN UP SHOW’?
In 2008 I was co-presenting a radio show on BBC London, and I realized I could not think of any radio shows that celebrated London’s rich and diverse theatre scene. So I came up with the format of The Curtain Up Show. We did a pilot; however the powers that be didn’t think that London needed or wanted a theatre radio show at that time... they seemed to be more interested in promoting yet more sport... I put it into my ideas folder, hoping one day the idea would resurface and here we are! It was enormously exciting to come back to this idea four years later. There is nothing like live radio; and it’s such a buzz for me to cover a subject that I adore so much, the Theatre. 

YOU’RE NOW DIRECTING SHE LOVES ME, WHICH WILL OPEN ON THE 9TH OCTOBER AT YE OLDE ROSE AND CROWN THEATRE PUB IN LONDON. WHAT COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION? HOW IS GOING TO BE?
SHE LOVES ME is a lovely traditional piece of musical theatre with a strong, simple, engaging story; boy meets girl, girl meets boy – however, in this case, they hate each other at the beginning. Secretly, though, and comically, unknown to each of them, it turns out that they are writing love-heart messages to each other via the local newspaper! The melodies are strong and memorable and the lyrics witty; in a way it’s the perfect musical. People often ask and question what makes a great musical and it’s a simple answer The Book, The Book, The Book. Oh, and then there’s the fabulous music too!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT THIS PIECE WRITTEN BY JOE MASTEROFF, JERRY BOCK AND SHELDON HARNICK?
Everything in SHE LOVES ME balances, all the characters are strong and they all have their own individual journeys which get resolved; there are no loose ends. The music is lovely and many of the songs from the shows are sung in concerts, cabarets, artist’s albums and a lot of performers use them for auditions. It’s a clever lovely warm show. I am also very lucky as my cast are amazing- such talent. Carrie Sutton who has dozens of West End Credits on her CV is our female lead playing opposite Howard Jenkins from RAM. I think this cast is one of the strongest I have ever worked with, their acting and singing ability is stunning.

YOU HAVE DIRECTED A LOT OF DIFFERENT FRINGE PRODUCTIONS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE PIECES YOU DIRECT?
As a director when I read the script the first thing I consider is if I can see it in my mind, on a stage - with the set, the cast, the colour of the dialogue, the feel of the piece. If that process and vizualation in my mind occurs and the subject and story are strong then usually I will do it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION OF MUSICAL THEATRE IN THE WEST END?
I have been thinking about this recently, it is exciting when there is always an influx of new musical theatre opening in the west end, however what is a concern is by Christmas there will be hardly any original pieces of music in the West End. It’s great that there are so many choices but it does saddened me that it’s all jukebox musicals and compilation shows from Abba, Whitney Houston, Spice Girls (do love them), Beatles, Four seasons, Michael Jackson, etc. Where are the new musicals? Yes we have MATILDA which is fab but once upon a time the West End was a glow with new composers and compositions.

WHICH ARE THE MUSICAL SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE MOST THIS SEASON?
It has to be SWEENEY TODD, I adore Sondheim but the recent production at the Adelphi with Micheal Balls and Imelda Staunton was mesmerizing.

COULD YOU COMMENT ON YOUR NEXT PROJECTS?
Well in 6 week’s I leave for the merry old land of Pantomime. It’s my third year of playing Dame at the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford. I Love it, it’s such hard work but oldles of fun. Strapping on me false bum, me lashes and me massive boobs. Bring it on!! Then 2013 I hope to broaden and develop my presenting career and also showcase some new comedy characters.