Interview With Captain Hook

Curve Theatre is getting prepared for Christmas and the performance of Peter Pan that will carry them through to the new year. We sent reporter Jemma Crowston for a chat with James Gaddas (aka Hook) to see what treats are in store for you.

From a prison governor to a swash buckling pirate, TV star James Gaddas is set to take the stage in the Curve’s Christmas performance of Peter Pan.

Most famous for starring in ITV’s Bad Girls Gaddas is back in Leicester for the first time in 25 years for the Leicester Theatre Trust’s festive treat from December 3.

With their brand new musical version of J.M Barrie’s timeless classic – Peter Pan – the audience in the £61.5m theatre will leave Leicester behind for a course set for Neverland.

Join the boy who never grew-up as he flies into the lives of the Darling family and takes Wendy, Michael and John on a magical adventure to Neverland. Using all that the state-of-the-art building has to offer to bring adventure to life with original music and spectacular effects.

Speaking during a break in rehearsals, James, who will play the infamous baddie, Captain Hook, and Mr Darling, said, “I’ve played Hook before in a traditional pantomime but this is something completely different.”

The 49-year-old added, “It’s such a great story and quite dark in places. Hook is someone that has everything and nothing at the same time. I play Mr Darling too so I think it shows the different sides of being a parent. And that’s why it’s loved across all ages.”

James will join a talented cast line-up including Paul Baker (Smee) and Spencer Charles Noll (Peter Pan) for the show which will run over two months.

James, who lives in London with his wife Debbie and daughter Cate (9), will be staying in the city centre for the production.

He said, “I was last in Leicester about 25 years ago in a play at the Haymarket Theatre called ‘Some of my Best Friend’s Husbands’. I remember the city seemed quite down trodden and oppressive. And just walking through the centre the other day I noticed how vibrant it’s become. There seems to be a positive air about the place and it’s great.”

James added, “This is the longest I’ve been away from my daughter since she was born and it’s tough. But I love hearing her phone messages at the end of the day. I’ll be heading back home for Christmas day but then I’ll probably be back here by Boxing Day. It’s going to be a busy season.”

When asked what he thought about the Curve he replied, “I’m just amazed by it all. I’ve never worked in anywhere like this before. It’s immense. I love how the space can just open up without losing the magic of the theatre.”

After the closing show on Saturday, January 23, James, will be heading to Dubai to launch a new production company with his partner and brother Chris.

Their new company – Belmondo Hat Production – will see James use his 30 years experience to direct and cast.

The pair have decided to follow James’ wife, Debbie, to Dubai whilst she continues her work as a professional ballet teacher.

James said, “I was trying to work out if it was viable for me to go with Debbie for three months and I saw that there are theatre companies out there. Just this week we signed the contracts so now it’s all coming together.”

The name of their new venture – Belmondo Hat Production – is in memory of a friend of James who died a few years ago aged 47. The duo used to walk past a shop called Belmondo Hat in London and joked about starting a band with the same name.

Award winning director David Taylor will lead the cast and showcase Peter Pan – A Musical which he created with Paul Miller from December 3 2009 to January 23 2010.

Book tickets by visiting curveonline.co.uk. Or watch this space because a little bird has told me that a competition to win tickets will be appearing online in the next couple of days.