SPOTLIGHT ON... John Hewer
- theatrereviews
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
The ever-busy John Hewer took time out to chat to us about his current projects...
Q. Where in Lincolnshire are you based, and what was your first ever live performance that you participated in?
"I'm based in Lincoln (with a semi-permanent base in London, for the touring side of things) with the majority of my work originating from Grimsby and Louth. First ever live performance was most likely nativities and the like at St. Joseph's Primary in Cleethorpes; the heady days when I wanted to play Herod, but was always cast as a shepherd! I've yet to really play a bad-guy, now I think about it..."
Q. What was it that first drew you to the local theatre/arts scene?
"My mum was stage-managing the classic farce 'Charley's Aunt' at Louth Playgoers (LPS), back when the society was based on Newmarket, in the mid-90s. I was only seven, and was plonked in the 'crows nest', where I could see the auditorium, the onstage shenanigans, and the backstage prep, simultaneously. Real, real magic. I've performed with LPS semi-regularly ever since, and I have a lot to thank them for, particularly in those formative years and well into my teens. I also had a very talented, encouraging drama teacher at secondary school, Mr. Walton, and top tutors at Franklin College. Those people, and my supportive family, started me off on this road. The LPS Youth Summer Workshops (I performed in three - 'West Side Story', 'Return to the Forbidden Planet' and 'Sweet Charity') were equally influential. It was those dramaturgs - Dom the Director and Ruth the Musical Director, in particular - who gave off the impression that this COULD indeed turn into a career."
Q. Quite simply, give me three words that describe what theatre means to you.
"Career. Camaraderie. Graft."
Q. Tell us a bit about Hambledon Productions. How did it start and where is it going?
"Well, my sister and I co-founded the Lincs-based company in 2007. It's all about new writing, classic comedy revivals, and local opportunities. Lincolnshire is massively under-represented. There are few pro or semi-pro jobs in the creative arts (our closest, frequent in-house producing venues are in Hull and Sheffield) so we're trying to promote local artists by offering work and taking those shows out nationwide. We've fallen into a niche with these classic comedy shows (Steptoe, Tommy Cooper, Hancock's Half Hour etc.,) but we like to shake it up with new writing, and outreach projects in Grimsby and Louth, specifically.
Future projects, well, our TC Show is ever-strong, even after fifteen years touring, and we'll be producing a 30+ date UK tour of Spike Milligan's and Ronnie Barker's 'The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town' in Autumn 2026. Local auditions will be held in the new year."
Q. What is the current production you're involved in, and your role within the company?
"I'm very fortunate to be now entrusted with the directorship of the Youth Summer Workshop at Louth Riverhead Theatre. This will be my fifteenth, and I can honestly say I've loved every one of them. It's partly my job to put on a top-class production, but ultimately, it's to encourage and inspire the young participants (aged 15-24). Not all will go on to seek careers in Performance or the Arts, however, quite a few do go on to study it and secure professional work, and if we're a small part in that, then that's a massive comfort. It's amazing so many return, year upon year, so we must be doing something right!
Our current show is 'The Great British Bake Off: The Musical.' I know, right? The joy of it is that it is EXACTLY what you expect from it...and maybe more. Pretty camp, high-octane, tongue-in-cheek... lots of glorious, big, showy numbers. There's a pretty intense plot too, a couple of romances, or rather faux-romances... and a fair dollop of poignancy. It's a big challenge to pull all that off in less than two weeks, but I'm super-proud to say that the Cast and Creative Team has risen to it (pun intended, of course)."
Q. Were you a Bake-Off fan? Will audiences need to be aware of the show to 'get it'?
"I religiously watch it, every year. The shift to C4 was hard to swallow (pun intended, again), and not all the hosts, in my opinion, have been successful, however, it's still great telly to help you unwind, with a fair dose of cheeky British humour in it, unlike most reality TV shows, or cookery shows.
You kind of need to know the general premise, but if you don't know that by the series' 20-odd year stint, then you've probably been living under a rock... In a nutshell (pun intended), it's about a group of everyday bakers/contestants who, week upon week, are judged on their thematic bakes. It's an elimination process, until the Grand Final.
And, that's it, really. There are some especially fun, and close, caricatures of the current Judges, namely Paul Hollywood and Pru Leith (or, in our case, Phil Hollinghurst and Pam Lee). So some of the more niche jokes may go over your head, but they are few and far between. If you're a lover of musicals, or traditional British humour, you're in for a terrific evening."
Q. Being slightly provocative here, what role would you like to play if you were suddenly 'called to action'?
"I would have said Phil Hollinghurst (aka Paul Hollywood) before rehearsals began, however, the more time I've spent in the rehearsal room, with this fantastic group of dedicated, hard-working actors, I can see great fun and mileage out of any of the ensemble cast of characters. Hassan, a Serbian-born contestant, wouldn't suit me...not least because of the difference in background and heritage, but he has some hefty dialogue that really pulls the rug out from all the light-hearted japery... Ben Browne, who plays Hassan, delivers this with the correct gravitas, but also with a certain light touch that's really difficult to pull off ... I doubt I could do that. But elsewhere, yes, there are roles that I could possibly have a go at.
Q. Directing can sometimes be a thankless role... What words of wisdom/encouragement would you share with any aspiring directors? And what are the joys and lows of directing, particularly a show like this with a strong brand following?
"Hmm, is it thankless? If you're lucky enough to have a strong cast assembled, and the trust and support of a creative team, that it can be one of the most privileged positions going. It's not always fun though, I'll give you that. And sometimes you have to direct stuff which doesn't perhaps get you enthralled... But research and prep can pull you through that (or, failing that, money!) I'd say, wherever possible, direct things that you're happy to tie your life to, for a determinable length of time. That sweet spot when 'work' doesn't feel like 'work', is the ultimate dream job, but, for a director, it can be achievable. Apart from a decent script (you can't do anything without a decent script), then it's casting. Get a good cast, and your job becomes remarkably easier. And remember, the perfect actor probably won't just walk in on the audition day... but there'll be something there. And go with your gut. Regarding 'Bake Off', in particular, it's about making sure that it doesn't become a case of style over substance, and making sure that the audience is always in on the joke."
Q. What other creative work is on the horizon for you?
"Goodness me, so... our annual Scriptwriting Workshop begins on Sunday 3rd August, and the Scratch Night (always a good, fun and semi-interactive experimental night of new writing) is scheduled for September at LRT. I'll then be touring as Stage Manager for Apollo Theatre Company's returning favourite 'Round the Horne' (Lincs date is up at Goole Junction), and I'll be among the cast for Grimsby Auditorium's pantomime 'Beauty and the Beast'."
Q. Back to 'The Great British Bake Off: The Musical', what's your favourite number?
"I thought this would be an easy question... but every day, I've come home with a different song or melody in my ears. There are some catchy ballads in this... "Somewhere in the Dough", which we worked on most recently, and the simplistic but effective blocking, is very strong. Skye Pickford never has a dry eye in the house with her beautiful performance of 'Grow'. Force me up against the wall, and, currently, my favourite is the end of Act One show-stopper 'All the Way'. It pushes the story to the fore, everyone is included, and it's a real belter. Catch it. It's a goodie."
Tickets for 'The Great British Bake Off: The Musical' (Thu 7th - Sat 9th August, 7.30pm at Louth Riverhead Theatre) are available via the link below:
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