9:51am Thursday 2nd July 2009
By Lucie Richards
A FEELGOOD comedy about a cross-dressing statistician is coming to The Haymarket next week for the final leg of its tour.
Nobody’s Perfect tells the story of Leonard Loftus, whose aspirations to become a published author are thwarted when a feminist publishing house refuses to print his book – until, that is, he pretends to be a woman.
David Williams, who plays Leonard, explained: “They phone him up and he pretends to be his aunt Myrtle Banbury who died, and it’s all going fine – until the lady from the publishing house wants to come and meet him. It’s a bit in the style of Mrs Doubtfire.”
Williams’ co-star Julie Fox plays the part of publisher Harriet Copeland – who Williams describes as a strong, business-type woman.
He said: “I have worked with (Julie) for a few years now and she’s someone I know quite well and trust.
“One night she forgot most of a scene and we went round in circles until she remembered, and we got away with it!
“I also think that if you’re having a nice time up there, and off stage, it makes for better comedy.”
The experienced stage actor – who has starred in a long list of productions including hit comedy Art, John Godber’s April in Paris and as Frank in Educating Rita – said Nobody’s Perfect has a universal humour that would appeal to anyone, with a bit of slapstick for good measure.
Describing comedy as his speciality, Williams, who has been on tour for about 20 years, said: “I get more out of them.
“It’s an instant reaction if you’re doing comedy. If you’re doing it right, the audience will laugh, and if they don’t laugh you think: ‘I’m not doing it well’.”
He added: “I have done some TV but I’ve been mostly on the stage, and I do pantomimes – I’ll be Nurse Nelly at the Sheffield Lyceum this Christmas.”
This is the first time that Williams has come to The Haymarket, where the run of Nobody’s Perfect will end with the tour on July 11.
The show will be at the Basingstoke theatre from July 7 until 11, with a 2pm performance on July 11.
Tickets are priced from £16.50 and £12 for the matinee, with concessions available, and can be booked by calling the box office, on 01256 844244, or online, at anvilarts.org.uk.
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