CityLife

Taboo return for Little

IT  may have taken some time but Aussie all-rounder Mark Little is finally doing what he was originally trained to do, act full time.

After spending the best part of 25 years working as the entertainment equivalent of a jack of all trades, Little is delighted to be turning his attentions for the foreseeable future back to his real passion.

Big Breakfast presenter, stand-up comic and quiz show contestant are just three additions to his CV which have got in his way over the years, but with a return to Taboo, the musical about Boy George and the 80s scene that surrounded him, he hopes to spark a sea change.

ManchesterOnline caught up him with prior to the rehearsals for his role as Leigh Bowery, one of the real faces of that era, in the show.

You are back in Taboo, following a spell last year. You enjoyed it I take it?
God yes it was great, I can't wait to get back into those high heels and play Leigh again! I played him in the West End for three months and it was really hard work but once I got into the singing and dancing, which isn't my forte that's for sure, it was great. I was sad to leave it and jumped at the chance to go on tour.

Being a stand-up for so long, touring must be second nature to you, but do you enjoy it?
Sometimes yes, it can be really gruelling though. I mean it will be great doing Taboo as we will be in Manchester for a month and the other places for a week, so it is not so tiring and you can actually get out and see the places you are visiting. But I've done stand-up tours where it is a different place every night and you cover 60 or 70,000 miles, which is hard. So I'm looking forward to this one.

Were you a big fan of Boy George and the 80s music scene?
No, not really. I was raised in Melbourne and that music didn't really hit our shores. There was a real yuppie scene at the time and a lot of cabaret style nights, which I didn't really like. So I didn't really find out the extent of the music until I moved to Britain in 1992.

Leigh was another Melbourner, so that must make playing him extra special?
Definitely. I am really proud to be playing another Aussie and a fellow Melbourne bloke as well. Although Leigh wasn't an Aussie bloke in the traditional sense, there are still aspects of his character that are undeniably Australian. I like the fact that he showed such political dissent and was a real innovator in fashion, a really colourful guy who is great to play.

Half way through the tour Julian Clarey takes over the role. Quite a contrast hey?
Just a bit yes! But Leigh had so many sides to his character you could have 15 different people playing him and they wouldn't cover everything. So I think it works well to change the actor and give it a new angle.

Will you be reunited with any of the West End cast?
Yes I will actually. Drew Jaymson who plays Steve Strange is in it again, so it will be nice to catch up with him. Rehearsals start in a few weeks. I'm really looking forward to it.

I know you trained as an actor originally, are you surprised at what's on your CV?
A little I suppose yes. I grew up as a teenager in the 70s when Scorsese and Coppola were making all those great movies and I decided then and there I wanted to be an actor, and that is still what I want to do most, act. I've had to have a go at other things like comedy and presenting as I had a family to support and needed to be bringing in regular money. But now the kids are all grown up and I am more secure financially I can finally put my heart into acting.

What have you got lined up?
Well I'm in Taboo until April and I'll be looking to do any other role after that, depending on what scripts I get sent. I actually start work on an independet film before Taboo in London. It's about a contemporary couple and is based in this little apartment. It is all about how the outside world can affect a relationship. It looks quite tense and interesting, so that should be good.

Talking of film roles, you did Black Ball with Johnny Vegas and Paul Kaye didn't you?
I've got mixed feeling about that actually. It wasn't as funny as I think it could have been. I mean Johnny's great but he's not an actor is he? He's a comedian. So I'm not sure it worked that well. I've worked with some really great actors like Bob Hoskins and Warren Mitchell, where I learned so much just watching them. I think sometimes people think acting is easy, but it isn't you really have to work at it to become a good one.

Does it bother you that people in this country will always know you as Neighbours' Joe Mangel?
It used to yes. I think it has hampered me getting parts in the past in terms of not being taken seriously. Hopefully now I am dedicating my time to proper acting I will be able to land the more serious roles. I mean Neighbours was great fun and it has helped to get bums on seats at some of the shows I have done. Hopefully it won't stop me getting parts in the future, or I will get angry! I actually think being so versatile hasn't helped either, as people don't know what to bracket me as. So that's why I've put any other stuff like comedy on the backburner.

I suppose it doesn't help that your on screen step-daughter is in the show at the moment then?
No, not really! Although it is always good to see a Mangel spicing things up a bit.

So they'll be no Edinburgh Festival shows for a while then?
No for the moment no. Although some time in the future I might return. It is such a great place to go and catch up with old mates and just have a really good time. Although my body isn't up to all the drink like it used to be.

Have the entertainment genes passed on to your children?
Yes they have, poor buggers! Angus who is 21 is in the West End at the moment in Stomp actually, so we're really proud of that, while Jasper works in film production and is doing really well. Actually I found out a few weeks ago my grandmother was in a Polish travelling circus, so maybe that is where it all stems from. I suppose I'm a bit of gypsy as well, always on the move.

I understand Brighton is your base now?
Yes, I think it something to do with needing to be by water, coming from the coast. Brighton's great. It is nice and close to London for work and my family really love it. I actually thought we go back to Australia more, but we've settled really well here, which is great as going home a lot is an expensive business. So it has worked out well.

Taboo is on at The Lowry from Thursday, December 11 to Saturday, January 17. Call the Box Office on 0870 060 1768 for tickets or click here.