Alex Ferns Interview
Posted by Guest Writer on Tue, 01 Sep 2009.
Playing a psychotic dentist in the Little Shop of Horrors is no chore for the former Walford wife beater. Alex’s Eastenders character – Trevor Morgan - was famously battered by on-screen wife Little Mo with an iron on New Year’s Eve in 2001. But from September 8 Alex will play a different kind of bully. He said: “The dentist is sadistic, psychotic but hopefully very funny too. He’s basically a mad dentist.”
Set in a run-down florist on Skid Row, this quirky love story follows unlikely hero Seymour and his discovery of a mysterious plant that craves fresh blood, talks and sings the blues.
In exchange for feeding its appetite, Audrey II offers Seymour fame and fortune. Unable to resist, he becomes an overnight singing sensation, but as the plant’s appetite and blood-thirst grows uncontrollable, all that Seymour holds dear, including his true love Audrey, are placed in jeopardy.The stage musical spoofs the Roger Corman’s 1962 cult film of the same name.
In the Chocolate Factory production Alex will perform alongside a first-class cast including Clare Buckfield (2:4 Children and Dancing on Ice) as Audrey, Damian Humbley as Seymour, Clive Rowe as Audrey II, Kraig Thornber as Mushnik and Cathryn Davis, Keisha Amponsa Banson and Brian Herring as puppeteers.
The 40-year-old said: “All the cast are great and very professional. I’ve never been to Leicester so this will be a new experience for me.” He added: “The dentist is only in the first half of they play but I perform as seven other characters as well. It gets quite exhausting by the end.” The Scotsman has always been into performing arts, saying, “When I was at school my teachers said I wasn’t very academic but they said I was very much into my amateur dramatics. They said I had a flair for it and I guess I was born that way.” He added: “It wasn’t until I was 21 at uni that I started acting.
I went to South Africa for three years but returned to the UK in 1997.” The dad-of-two said he loves to watch films which star his idol – Sean Penn. He said: “I love Deadman Walking. Sean’s such a great actor.”When asked if he had any plans to tackle America he said: “I haven’t had the chance yet but the pilot seasons run in January and September and that’s when most actors head out to try their luck. So maybe I’ll go next year if I have time.”
In his 2006 West End debut Alex had the daunting task of stepping into Patrick Swayze shoes to take over the role of gambler Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls. In his latest role, Alex has to sing three songs. He said: “I’m actually getting used to it all now really. You soon get used to what you can do and I quite enjoy it.” The cast have been touring with the show since February and Alex’s wife – Jennifer, and two children Cameron (7) and MacKenzie (2) have been to see him perform.Alex said: “They all think the shows fantastic although I think MacKenzie’s scared of the plant.”
The Little Shop of Horrors will be staged at the Curve from September 8 to September 12. Performances at 7.30pm and 2.15pm on Wednesday and Saturday.Tickets cost between £9-£29.For more information phone 0116 2423595 or visit www.curveonline.co.uk.