Scissorhandz - Interview
Southwark Playhouse Elephant • 23 Jan - 29 Mar
Simon J. Webb, Hi Michelle.
Michelle Visage, Hi ya!
SJW, We are here at the wonderful Vauxhall Tavern in London to talk about a new musical you are bringing to London as co-producer, Scissorhandz. (Southwark Playhouse Elephant – 23 Jan – 29 Mar) At what stage did you become involved with this production, and what attracted you to it?
MV, When the director, who is a friend, asked me to be in this production my schedule unfortunately would not allow for it, but he said, “Well, would you like to produce it?”, and I replied “Absolutely I would like to produce it!”… and so that's how it happened.
SJW, Had you managed to catch the show during its run in America?
MV, No.
SJW, So you’ve still yet to see the show in its entirety then?
MV, I've seen some of the rehearsals, but I'm going to see it in its entirety next week.
SJW, That's got to be exciting!
MV, I am so excited!
SJW, … or is it actually a more nerve wrecking experience?
MV, No, it's exciting because I've seen bits and pieces of it, and I know what it's going to be.
SJW, Beyond your friendship with the director, why Scissorhandz?
MV, Just for the record, I would never do something just because I love the person doing it. My name’s going to be on it and so I absolutely need to believe in it... and I do believe in this. I believe in the cast. I believe in the book. I believe in the story. Bradley's changed it a little bit, it's got an uplifting ending so you don't feel so sad at the end. It's camp. It's happy... everybody knows every song, plus we've got a new song from the genius that is Pat Benatar that she wrote with her husband Neil Giraldo, which you can't get anywhere else but Scissorhandz... and it's a great song!
SJW, Do you know whether this outing of the musical has changed much from its L.A. debut?
MV, It’s been tweaked. You know... everything gets better as it goes on. Every musical... actually, every play for that matter.
SJW, Is Scissorhandz your first time producing?
MV, Yes.
SJW, What is the thrill for you to help get work like this onto a London stage?
MV, Well, first of all, anything I can do with regards to getting involved with musical theatre I would do. If I could continuously jump from one production to another all year I would do it. Musical theatre is my first love, it’s what my degree is in from university. Whenever I go to New York with my husband I could go to the theatre every day of the week... I can maybe drag my husband to one of those shows, but for me... I would do them all if I could. It's my pride and joy, so when I was asked to do this, I absolutely jumped at the chance.
SJW, So, has producing this show been the fulfilment of a secret ambition of yours?
MV, Actually, I never thought about the producing part of it, but when he asked me, I said to myself, “This makes complete sense”.
SJW, So will we be seeing more of Michelle Visage with her producers hat on in the future?
MV, 100% yes. I'd definitely like to do more.
SJW, You have highlighted to shows queer credentials. Can you give me a sense of what an LGBTQIA+ audience specifically can expect from this production?
MV, Well, let's be clear here... all musical theatre is queer theatre, because that’s who is watching it and that’s is who is in it. Try to do a musical theatre production without at least one queer person being involved... it's not going to get done. So, for me, what's really queer about this particular production is the cast. We've got a non-binary Scissorhandz, so it's a beautiful thing to be able to celebrate what the film actually means to queer people and then bring it to the stage in a fully queer, celebratory production. Of course, everybody's invited and everybody's welcome, but it's nice to highlight and showcase queer talent without ramming it down your throat, you know? Nobody can say anything negative about this because it's just a wonderful experience... and the music is very gay.
SJW, As a first-time producer, has there been anything that has particularly surprised you about trying to get a production onto a London stage.
MV, Oh yeah... the biggest being just how many theatres are not available. The queue to get something on in London is something like two years long. People think it's as easy as just being asked, “Oh, why don't you bring it here?”... they said it to us when I was playing Morticia in The Addams Family. “Why don't you just bring it to the West End?”, and it's like... no. Not only do the cast and crew’s schedules have to line up, but there has to be a theatre that's available, and it's crazy because I didn't realise what the backlog was like. So that's the most surprising thing to me... but there’s no shortage of talent here, that's for sure.
SJW, Other than a great night out with an absolutely banging soundtrack...
MV, Yes!
SJW, ... is there anything else you hope an audience will be taking away from the show?
MV, Do you need anything else besides the most incredible music and Incredible cast!?
SJW, (laughs)
MV, But yeah, like the movie I think it highlights the weirdo / misfit / outcast storyline, and the fact that we're celebrating that lets people know that they matter, and their voices are heard, and I think it’s important that we continue banging that drum… now more than ever.
“ Step into the world of SCISSORHANDZ – a radical, raucous, joyful yet touching musical parody tribute to the ultimate outsider – produced by the iconic Michelle Visage and *NSYNC’s Lance Bass!
Leave your inhibitions at the door and get ready to find your new obsession as we celebrate Tim Burton’s beloved hero/weirdo with a phenomenal selection of your favourite 90s and 00s hits.
Scissorfans unite, because all weirdos* are welcome here!
*For the gals, guys, gays and theys (and everyone in between).
Let’s have a kiki!
Direct from a wildly successful run in LA. Produced by the iconic Michelle Visage, *NSYNC’s Lance Bass, Brian Pendleton, Kelley Parker and Directed by Bradley Bredeweg. “
Tickets: www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/scissorhandz/