Town and Gown, Cambridge – 2021 Season Interview: Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood

Posted in The Town and Gown, Written Interviews by

“My mum died from her own battle with cancer before she could see this show, and we lost Vic the same way. This month, I’m proud to have been named the 5th Ambassador for the charity, CabaretVsCancer.”

WHO: Paulus, The Cabaret Geek: Creator, Writer & Performer

WHAT: “Written and performed by Paulus Of TV’s All Together Now, ‘Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood’ is a homage celebrating the music of the late comedy genius and national treasure. This one-hour performance created for the 2020 Edinburgh Festival, features musical director Michael Roulston (Fascinating Aida; Julie, Madly, Deeply; Jess Robinson).”

WHERE: Town and Gown Pub & Theatre, Cambridge

WHEN: 31 July (3 & 8pm)

MORE: Click Here!

What does Cambridge mean to you?

To me, Cambridge evokes memories of my first ever corporate gig. I was business partners with a Cambridge Alum and he arranged for Michael and I and a guest singer to entertain some ”Old Boys’ in a very grand function room after a lavish dinner. They said they had a lovely time but suggested the lead performer (me) might benefit from a toupee!

We then had a HIDEOUS search for some food and a drink (this was before the days of Deliveroo et al!) which culminated in us collapsing in our digs at 1am with a bottle of wine which we could not get the cork out of as there wasn’t a cork-screw.

Tiredness – 1, Alcoholism – 0.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote this piece to celebrate the music and musicality of the late, great Victoria Wood. I was introduced to her via her 1985 sketch show As Seen on TV when I was ten. I watched with my mum and sister and remember clearly how Vic’s ‘look’ back then was very androgynous – mens trousers, jacket, tie, shirt – spiky hair and trainers (she came 2nd in Tie Man of the Year, 1982, beaten only by Trevor McDonald, you know!). I didn’t know it at the time, but her eschewing of fashion norms would influence me heavily. My mum died from her own battle with cancer before she could see this show, and we lost Vic the same way. This month, I’m proud to have been named the 5th Ambassador for the charity, CabaretVsCancer.

What kind of art makes you ‘Get Your Coat On’ and go see it?

I’ve spent a great deal of the past two decades working at Outdoor Arts Festivals as a Ringmaster/Compere. I love the mixture of artisanal crafts, interactive workshops and bespoke pieces of dance, drama and music that all mingle together to make a special day or weekend at a site specific event. I want to buy ALL the jams and brooches and cushions and yet my suitcase is full of costume, so its often very tough to decide! I am the self-confessed ‘Cabaret Geek’ and so anything that is intimate, informal and breaks the fourth wall will get my attention also.

You’re the age you are now. What’s the one thing you wish you could tell your younger self? What’s the one thing you’d like your older self to remember about you now?

Enjoy your hair while you have it; one day it will slip off the back of your head.

There is a different between making art and creating content.

Ken & Deidre were never ultimately meant to be together.

Buy ALL of that soap you like in LUSH because they are gonna discontinue everything you love.

Keep your vinyl.

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