PANTO SEASON: BEHIND THE SCENES - RIDING WITH ROBIN HOOD

It is fair to say that Jim Suther is a busy man. Not only does he have a full time job as a data analyst for a benchmarking company, he is also studying part-time for a university degree on two nights a week. And around that, he fits in being a member of no fewer than five different amateur dramatic groups.

Despite his vast experience (see below) he was surprised to be offered the part of Robin Hood in his second pantomime for Cubbington Players (in his first, last year, he played henchman Max the Axe). Let's meet him:

How long have you been a member of Cubbington Players?

I have been a member for just under 3 years.

Why did you join?

I used to work at Millward Brown. At the time I had just finished being part of a musical and a note was placed on the works notice board asking for help to read for a play called An Evening With Gary Lineker ... I read for the play and got the part of Dan and I have been with Cubbington Players ever since.

Where else have you acted?

I am a member of several local amateur societies, such as the Spa Theatre Company and Leamington and Warwick Musical Society. I have performed at the Royal Spa Centre - in many musicals, such As The Wizard Of Oz, Blondel, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret and Sweet Charity. I played Big Chief Sitting Bull in Annie Get Your Gun, I've twice been Moose in Crazy For You and was Officer Krupke in West Side Story.

As well as musicals I have performed with the Jephson Players in the open air, the Priory and Talisman theatres in Kenilworth both in pantomine and also at the Priory in a play called The Invisible Man. I have performed with the Phoenix Players in their panto of Jack and the Beanstalk. Actually, I have done this 3 times now and played the role of the giant on each occasion; twice I have been made 9ft tall in the costume, which was awesome but very comical too.

What attracted you to amateur dramatics?

Basically, I saw a poster of a show which was being put on but was unable to see it. It was Little Shop Of Horrors, one of my favourite musicals. I went to the Spa Centre and asked how I could get involved with societies. They gave me the address and I wrote a letter to the then chairman of the Spa Theatre Company explaining that I hadn't acted , danced or sung before but had loads of enthusiasm and would be up for giving a show a go. They replied, saying that I would be more than welcome. I turned up for the rehearsals for my first ever show - Hans Christian Anderson - and I have never looked back

How easy is it to fit in around the rest of your life?

I find it quite easy to fit rehearsals and performances around the rest of my life as I have a varied life style. Occasionally it can be a bit chaotic, juggling work, part-time university where I'm studying for a degree and two rehearsals a week, but on the other hand they tend not to overlap The trick comes when Ii am rehearsing for two shows at the same time but even then I am usually able to give warning as to the rehearsals which I can not attend in advance. Outside of this I am still able to do things at the weekend, like going to the movies, playing golf and going to see shows in London or Birmingham.

What sort of reaction do you get when you tell family/friends how you spend your spare time?

They laugh at first but then they know this is what I like to do as a hobby. I do have many other interests like golf, basketball, surfing, skiing, walking, reading , going to the movies (I am a big movie fan - and an even bigger star wars fan) socialising and going to concerts

What is the best role you have ever played, and why?

There is no one best role i have played as all roles have been enjoyable and a lot of fun , but to pick one is hard. I would say that i enjoyed playing Dan in An Evening With Gary Lineker and Big Chief Sitting Bull, as both were challenging but they both had that magic factor that allowed me to have a lot of fun in a very enjoyable play and musical.

What role would you like to play in the future?

If I could play any role in the future I would love to play a Jedi knight and battle a Sith lord - if only there were more Star Wars films or TV series to be made! Failing that I would love to play one of the three musketeers or as King Arthur. I'd enjoy anyone of these roles as I have a fascination with these times in history and legends.

Who do you most admire and why - both in the professional theatre and at Cubbington Players?
 
In professional theatre I admire Dame Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellan and the late Alec Guinness, as all of these legends of the stage and have an air of magic about them; when they are on stage they capture the attention of the audience. At the Cubbington Players I admire everyone as we work as a team, we all pull together to achieve a goal to put on the chosen play , but we do it in a friendly, humorous environment. We have a lot of fun while entertaining the audience and ourselves at the same time. Which is what its all about.

If you could perform opposite someone famous, who would it be (and why)?

I would love to perform with Eliza Dushku and Jessica Alba , as both are very good actresses and they have a presence on screen, and in all the roles they have taken and adapted well from dance films like Honey to like cutting edge Sin City to fun superhero films like The Fantastic Four. Eliza Duskhu starred as Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and in Wrong Turn, along with the Dollhouse series

What do you think of the show so far?

The show is very funny at the moment, and getting funnier. It will be even better when we get costumes and props, but everyone is working together and helping each other very well.