The Stage

Return to main Advice page

Dear John

Off-stage persona concerns

Question:
I've just had a meeting with the press people for my new show - it's my first in a fairly big role - and been told that I will have to do a lot of interviews to promote it. I'm a bit worried about this, because while the characters I play can be quite loud and brassy, I'm not outgoing off stage. The producer keeps harping on about the fact that if I come across as well in interviews as his last leading lady, seat sales will shoot up. If it was a part I could rehearse but how do you practise for an interview when you don't know what they'll ask you?

Answer:
This is not as uncommon a problem as you might think. Many performers are far more confident in character than they are being themselves.

And from Buffalo Bill to the late Malcolm Hardee's legendary self promotional stunts at Edinburgh, marketing and getting bums on seats has always been a key part of this business. These days some people might argue that it's almost of more concern to the producers than the production itself. Your producer may be one of those people but while you can't ignore those concerns, letting them stress you further won't help either of you.

Jacqui Harper has huge experience on both sides of the camera as a top corporate presenter and also as an interviewer and newsreader for BBC, Sky, GMTV. Here's Jacqui's advice on how best to come across in media interviews: "The first rule is to be yourself - the previous actress had her skills, you have yours. Be very clear on what you want to say, before the questions start. Airtime usually flies by quickly so limit yourself to two or three important points - say the venue and time of the show and the main reason why people absolutely must see it and make sure you get those points in whatever else you get asked. Even if the questions aren't the ones you wanted you will usually be able to work your main points into your answers - although try to do it with humour so it doesn't look like blatant plugging. If possible find out as much as you can about the show, the interviewer's style and the audience beforehand - it will help you decide what, of all the things you could say, will be the most useful to highlight in this particular broadcast slot."

Jacqui's new book, Voices of Experience, contains lots of in-depth advice from experienced presenters ranging from comedians Richard Blackwood and Roland Rivron to sports presenter Gary Lineker and is available, along with further tips from her website www.jacquiharper.com