Gilligan's Island The Musical - Interview with Riley Nottingham

Gilligan's Island The Musical - Interview with Riley Nottingham

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Posted 2018-02-27 by Belinda Nolan-Pricefollow

Thu 15 Feb 2018 - Sun 04 Mar 2018

Riley Nottingham joined me for a 'Coffee Break' to chat about his current show Gilligan's Island The Musical .

You're currently performing in "Gilligan's Island The Musical". Are you able to tell me more about the show?
The show is super fun, super whacky, has great songs and is a great night out for any Gilligan's fan or any kids, family, grandparents – a true show for all ages!

Riley, you perform the role of Gilligan, how did you go about researching this iconic character?
A lot of watching the 3 seasons and telemovies. Also a lot of physicality work – Gilligan is very floppy so having floppy arms, floppy walk, also recreating iconic phrases, "Aye, aye, sir" or "Skipper" – the inflection Bob Denver uses I have tried to get a sense of. Also a lot of work to get the accent close to Bob, and some key expressions. Lots of work but fun!

Has the role of Gilligan given you any challenges as actor?
Yes similar to above! My physicality isn't naturally floppy, and I am a different body shape to Bob Denver – so getting that looseness into my body has been a big challenge. The clowning has been challenging. Also, just performing 8 times a week in a very physically demanding role (I have so many bruises!!) has been a challenge.


Who else is in the cast of Gilligan's Island The Musical?
Sam Marzden (Skipper), Joshua Monaghan (Mr Thurston Howell III), Lauren Jimmieson (Lovey Howell), Alexia Brinsley (Ginger), Kaya Byrne (Professor), Molly Fisher (Mary Ann), Frank Kerr and Belinda Jenkin (Swing/Ensemble).

Are you able to tell me more about the collaboration between Humdrum Comedy and Left Bauer Productions as they were both involved producing "Gilligan's Island The Musical"?
I approached Left Bauer towards end of 2016 as they have lots of theatre producing experience, whereas I have lots of TV producing experience – also because I was approved to play Gilligan by the show creators, I knew the production needed multiple producers to be able to service all facets of production. Luckily I found Michele & Claudia who have been invaluable and it's been a really good partnership – film tv and theatre combining to produce a theatrical musical based off a TV show!

Were you a fan of the original television series "Gilligan's Island"?
Absolutely, much like Benny Hill show. I related to the clowning in the show but believe it or not I was exposed to the musical before the TV show. I'm not a DIEHARD fan but I am a big fan.


Are you able to tell us more about the comedy series We Are Darren and Riley?
This was commissioned by Screen QLD, it came about from a TV pilot I pitched to Channel 7 and Beyond Productions when I was working on 'Toybox' the Channel 7 series. Luckily got some funding and then did the 10 part series 'We are Darren and Riley' which is how Henry Boffin and I met Nicholas Kraak, to then form Humdrum Comedy. The series is about two struggling comedians trying to make a TV show (meta!).

Your comedy series Hitstroke FM is part of Virgin Australia Inflight Entertainment, was the series about?
Hitstroke FM is a 14 part shortform series about Australia's worst radio station. The series follows station manager Phil, DJs Cas & Mattie, other cohosts such as Archie the Newsdog and Lana Bananahands as they struggle to keep the station afloat – very absurd, very silly, (hopefully!) very funny bitesized series.

Can you tell more about your involvement in the ABC series The Gods of Wheat Street?
I played a supporting role across 2 episodes – Constable Woods – a new cop in town who forms a friendship with the daughter of the lead character. A few tasers, a few tackling scenes – filmed in Northern NSW by the Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries and Seachange people – Every Cloud Productions. I filmed that series towards the end of Toybox.


Do you have any hobbies?
Squash! Writing songs… watching movies.

What is your favourite food?
Pizza and I love cheese…. and pavlova.

Do you have a favourite movie?
Titanic, The Matrix, Terminator 2, Moulin Rouge.

What is your idea of a good holiday?
Somewhere I can do some work as well – I love creating or working or new stuff so some pencils and paper is always good. I also love playing squash or doing some outdoor fitness so anywhere that can fit that in.


What is the last album you listened to?
Sia – This Is Acting…in the car at the moment.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what items would you take with you?
A car window, so if it got hot I could wind the window down.

Is there anything which you don't you leave home without?
My keys! Car, house, everything's on it.

Riley Nottingham is currently starring in Gilligan's Island The Musical at Chapel off Chapel until 4 March, 2018.

#interviews
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#february
!date 15/02/2018 -- 04/03/2018
%wnmelbourne
139798 - 2023-06-13 15:59:36

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