BWW Interviews: Christopher Bartlett - In Rehearsal For BARTLETT ON THE BARGE!

Hi Chris, and welcome to BWW:UK. First of all, you're performing a show with guests at the Battersea Barge soon - why a cabaret?

Well, one of my thoughts as a performer is that if you don't have an acting job to go to, then make your own work. In March, I finished a short stint in (the now Olivier award-winning) La Boheme in SoHo and felt my voice was stronger than before; I've always wanted to do a cabaret like this, so I approached Mack and Mac and JWCarter Productions about the possibility of doing a gig and now we have 'BotB'!

And why this venue?

If you haven't been to the Battersea Barge before, it's hard to imagine how a boat would make a good cabaret venue; it's the right balance between formal and informal and it's really cosy when the candles are lit and everyone is sitting round their tables. Also, during my time at London School of Musical Theatre, we had our final cabaret there and the atmosphere was electric, so it was my instant first choice for my first show. Plus the bar is excellent! Actually, you would think I would have chosen somewhere other than a boat - I am in fact petrified of deep water!

Tell us about your special guests.

Well, we all studied, at different times, at LSMT, but Adam Bayjou and I work together lots doing promo work. His voice is just effortlessly brilliant. And, after watching his turn as Mr Snow in Carousel in Catford last year, I knew he had to be on the bill. Ashleigh Jones was also an easy choice as she is getting a fantastic reputation along the London cabaret circuit, having supported Hadley Fraser at Lauderdale House last year and has her own set at The Peasantry on the 14th. And Jessica Walford happens to be my beautiful partner. We've never had the chance to sing together and she went down a storm when she did Kinky Kabaret at Freedom Bar in November, so this will be the perfect opportunity for more people to hear her lush voice.

What kind of material can the audience look forward to?

It's a real mix, something for everyone. I'm a big supporter of British musicals, so expect some Charles Miller and Dougal Irvine. Also, I liked the idea of being able to sing songs for people that you simply would never do at an audition, so there may be a couple of Jason Robert Brown songs with a twist! We also have some really nice jazz versions of my favourite songs, be it pop or rock. And for the second half, the audience will be given a ticket corresponding to a song number in the set list and when they want to hear that number they tell me when and what to sing! Not all will get chosen, so I will literally not know what's coming next! It should provide an interesting result, keep me on my toes and put the audience in charge!

You were most recently seen in The Remains Of The Day, which got some great reviews -any chance of a longer life for that show?

I really don't know. I think the show needs some work, but that was a very first outing for it. It was genuinely an honour to perform it as the original cast - Ishiguro himself said he enjoyed my performance as Reginald, which is a career highlight for me! I'd like to see it on a much grander scale, set-wise - think the grand house in the Palladium's Sound of Music set. But something as well known as this would have to be perfected. With some tweaking of the book and a few song re-writes I think it could be an incredibly successful musical.

What plans do you have next?

I've recently joined the (fiercely good) West End Gospel Choir, along with Jessica and we shall be performing at the Charing Cross Theatre on the 17th April, and hopefully West End Live later in the year but after that, who knows? I'd love to work with Perfect Pitch at some point, or maybe do an album of contemporary musical songs, but put my own jazzy twist on them. I'd also love to do more improvised comedy as I really enjoy making people laugh! But in the immediate future? Learning my songs for the 26th!

Bartlett On The Barge plays at the Battersea Barge on Tuesday 26th April. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm, with all tickets priced at £10 in advance and £15 on the door.

 

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