His voice is instantly recognisable and it was initially difficult to stop myself from expecting him to deliver a hilarious punchline.
But this time, Norman Pace was being serious, or at least as serious as a genuinely funny man can be.
Norman, one half of the multi-award-winning comedy double act Hale and Pace, is heading for Inverness next week, starring as Wilbur Turnblad in the non-stop, high-energy show Hairspray the Musical.
“I’m very excited about coming to Inverness and the Highlands as it has a special place in my heart,” said Norman. “I’ve stayed at Skibo Castle – a bit of a name drop I know, but hey, I’m in showbusiness, what do you expect?” said Norman, giggling.
“I’m not Scottish but love everything about Scotland including its whisky. At one time I had a serious collection of around 150 single malts then decided there was no point in keeping them – they needed to be drunk. It took me three years to work my way through my collection.”
Visiting distilleries, taking a boat trip along Loch Ness, enjoying good food and wine and generally getting to know the area better are some of his plans for filling time between performances of the show which is at Eden Court Theatre from February 5-10, then can be seen at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, in March.
As you speak to Norman, it’s evident he has a great sense of humour and comedy timing, something which helped persuade him swap a career as a teacher to become a full-time entertainer.
He and showbiz partner Gareth Hale took their first comedy steps at the Tramshed Theatre and went on to become hugely successful with The Hale and Pace Show, which won the Golden Rose of Montreux and Press Award. They were, for many years, the darlings of modern comedy duos, but over the years, both branched out into playing more straight roles.
Norman’s TV credits include Pushing up Daisies, Coming Next and The Management (Channel 4), Job’s for the Boys , Oddbods, Casualty (BBC), Pinch of Snuff (Yorkshire TV), The Last Detective and April Fool’s Day (ITV). He also had the opportunity, when it came along, to branch out into musical theatre.
“Performing in the theatre has been a nice second string to my bow, and like everything else it’s been a learning experience and I’ve enjoyed doing it,” said Norman, who is now fulfilling a childhood dream of being an actor.
“It’s been 18 years since I appeared in my first theatre show without Gareth. I made my debut in Chicago in the west end and didn’t realise at the time what a big deal that was.
“I remember it was a strange feeling, being in the dressing room on my own for the first time, as Gareth and I had always travelled together and shared dressing rooms.
“My first reaction was, my God, I’m exposed here as I don’t have Gareth to rely on.
“I remember standing in front of the mirror, going through my lines and feeling scared, because we’d pretty much done everything together since we’d met at college and started messing about with comedy while working as teachers, before making the break into full-time comedy.”
So how, I wondered, did he overcome those feelings of dread?
“That hour before your first performance is always inwardly traumatic, but as soon as you get out there (on the stage) it is fine,” said Norman.
“I’m no psychologist, but I think I had to draw on some inner confidence as a performer. I find the nervous tension at the beginning of a project always slaughters you; exhausts you, then two months later you’re thinking, what was all the fuss about?”
Norman loves starring as Wilbur in the show he describes as “an explosion of colour and music”.
“Wilbur is a quirky, eccentric, wise old man who loves his family. He definitely has the best shoes and shirts – everyone agrees I get to wear the best clothes,” said Norman.
Set in Baltimore in 1962, the musical tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, who is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way on to national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way.
It is based on the 1988 film by cult filmmaker John Waters which starred Divine and Ricki Lake and features iconic music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
Regarded as a must-see, much-loved musical comedy, this production of Hairspray the Musical stars Brenda Edwards as motor-mouth Maybelle and Layton Williams as Seaweed. Matt Rixon returns to the role of Edna Turnblad and newcomer Rebecca Mendoza makes her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad.
Further cast members include Gina Murray, Jon Tsouras, Edward Chitticks, Aimee Moore, Annalise Liard-Bailey, Monifa James, Lauren Concannon, Melissa Nettleford and Emily-Mae as The Dynamites, Shay Barclay, Ben Darcy, George Hinson, Jordan Laviniere, Graham MacDuff, Lindsay McAllister, Tracey Penn and Freya Rowley.
“More than 1,500 people auditioned for this production and 30 people were selected so the standard is very, very high – I’m the only one that can spoil it,” joked Norman.
“My favourite scenes are those with Layton Williams as Seaweed. He is just 23 and like a rubber band on the stage. His discipline is incredible and I’ve never seen dancing like it.
“But to single him out is to do a dis-service to the rest of the cast who are simply outstanding. This show really is a non-stop explosion of music, colour and fun.”
Hairspray the Musical is at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, from Monday, February 5, until Saturday, February 10. Performances take place nightly at 7.30pm with 1.30pm matinees on Thursday and Saturday. Contact: 01463 239841. The show is at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, from March 19-24. Contact: 01224 641122.
