John Partridge in Berlin Interview

(translated by Tuggerine)

 

Q: You came to the rehearsals just 3 weeks before the first show! How come?
A: I had another engagement in London, in ‘Taboo’ with and by Boy George. When I got the offer to go back to Berlin, I agreed right away. My boyfriend lives here and I love this city. The chance to be able to perform here again came very unexpected. It’s very difficult for an actor to get work in Berlin – and particular a dream role!

Q: In how many productions have you been performing as Rum Tum Tugger?
A: In four, in London, Hamburg, on the UK-Tour and in the CATS-Video. But it was never boring. That role was written for me, the more often I performed it, the more of myself filtered into it.

 

Q: The audience loves you for it. Could it be, its because your not just turning on the women but also men?
A: Of course, I want to turn on both. That’s what makes it successful and that’s the thrill – to be sexy for men and women. I love to play with this and fool around with it.

 

Q: Your stage german is really good.
A: (laughs) Yes, they taught us with the whip!

 

 

 

 

Q: Many of the performers think that Berlin is one of the most exciting cities in the world – what do you think?
A: That’s true, Berlin is the most fantastic city in Europe! Such a lot is going on here. We live in Friedrichshain and I already met such a lot of interesting people in that area. Besides that, I have a band and my band-members came along with me. We take in everything around us and get totally influenced by it.

Q: Have you been in the music-business very long?
A: I was working as a dancer in video-clips, f.e. in ‘Real Thing’ by U2. I got to know the company that way. Later I also worked with Pet Shop Boys, Kim Wilde, Nenneh Cherry, Pete Townsend, Mica Paris and Ultra Nate as a background singer.

 

 

Q: Right, the show will begin soon so I better leave you alone to put on your make-up. They say it takes a performer up to 2 hours to put it on!
A: (laughs) Oh, I only need 15 minutes. I throw all the make-up into the air, put my face underneath, then the make up falls onto it just the way it should.

Q: The director and choreographer Gillian Lynne had decided to set up a pure german cast, but then they cast you in London for the role of the Rum Tum Tugger. Did Gillian have a good old think about that?
A: Yes, I think so. Gillian knows me since I first performed CATS on stage when I was 17, now I’m 31. She’s seen me as Rum Tum Tugger from the start and watched me grow with that role. But she does continuously look for new performers. That she actually chose me again, makes me really proud.

Q: What's so special about this role?
A: The Rum Tum Tugger is someone, that excites the people. He spreads a good time, touches everyone with his enthusiasm. I’m exactly like that myself when I’m on stage – and also off stage.

Q: The critics in german newspapers are excellent. What do you think of CATS-Berlin?
A: Well, I honestly have to say, that this production is at least as good as in London, if not better . The cast and staff are absolutely professional! Besides, what I really like is, that the cast is fairly old, on average – around 30. This raises the acting qualities.

 

Q: Do you speak german offstage as well?
A: My boyfriend is Italian, so we don’t necessarily speak German at home. I tried all different ways to learn German, but it just doesn’t work. That’s why now I’m going to the university three times a week in the mornings.

Q: What kind of music do you play?
A: Particulary Electro-punk. The band is called ‘Machtlos’ (powerless). In a couple of days, when our third band member arrives from his world tour with Patricia Kaas, we will start to play in Berlin.

 

 

Q: Which three locations in Berlin would you suggest to go and see to someone, who comes to Berlin for the first time?
A: That is difficult. Well, I would most definitely go to the restaurant No. 55 (near the University). You get a brilliant view over all of Berlin. Than the Jazz-bar ‘Soul Trane’ in the Stilwerk in the Kantstrasse – it's just fantastic there. And then the Technikmuseum (museum of technology). Its great. And they do the best cappuccinos.