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(Back)
Dave Wickenden
(Middle) David Roper, Stephen De Martin
(Front) Ian Parkin |
Ten Questions
with 4 Poofs and a Piano
As they tour the
country with their brand new show Smoke and Mirrorballs, Simon
Sladen caught up with Dave Wickenden, one member of 4 Poofs and a Piano,
to ask him a few questions about the flamboyant quartet's career past,
present and future.
How did your name come about? Were you wary of using 'Poofs', considering
some people use it as a derogatory remark?
We were doing a gig and needed a name for the poster, so after throwing
lots of names around we came up with 4 Poofs and a Piano. It really
made us laugh, so it stuck. At the beginning we didn't think about
offending anyone. After all, us gays use the term all the time to
describe each other in a comical way. It has raised a few eyebrows
over the years, but people eventually come around to the ethos of
4 Poofs.
You've been together now for over ten years. How did you all meet and
what have been some of your highlights and lowlights?
We met in a gay choir. Some of our highlights were, of course, the
Jonathan Ross show and meeting some great A-list stars like Madonna
and Tom Cruise. We've played Glastonbury four times and that is always
a buzz. Edinburgh is great because we have such a supportive audience.
A lowlight? One year we were doing Sport Relief live and we couldn't
hear the backing track. We were left standing like idiots in front
of the nation in headbands and pink sport shorts!
How would you describe each other?
Ian is grumpy. Dave is big and effervescent. David is dizzy. Stephen
is a diva and perfectionist.
What did it mean to you all to be involved with Friday Night with
Jonathan Ross?
It was a fantastic opportunity and we are grateful for the experience
and exposure of course. Great memories for us all.
How did you decide which musical number to choose for the star guests?
Did you ever get stuck trying to think of an appropriate one?
Thankfully we didn't have to choose them as the production company
sorted that out for us. Occasionally we suggested songs and they liked
them.
What can we expect from your latest tour and why should we come to
see you?
Smoke and Mirrorballs is a combination of our last few shows.
People can expect a complete variety cabaret show. We sing comedy
songs and do funny dances, such as our tribute to the Bollywood era.
We also do stand up routines and X Factor style competitions.
And if that's not enough, we also do a singalong with our audiences.
It really is an all round fun show.
You're going back to Edinburgh again this year. Tell us about your
experiences of the festival.
We first appeared with our show Never Mind The Botox there
in 2004 and had to be moved to a larger venue the next year as our
popularity had grown so much. I think we learned a lot about handling
audiences and we also became known as a comedy act, rather than just
four guys singing sweet songs.
What makes a good song and who are you listening to at the moment?
A good melody. Comedy songs are a different ball game altogether
and quite challenging to write. Currently I am listening to Rumer
and Adele.
How did you find working on ITV's Daybreak after Friday Night
with Jonathan Ross?
We did a little stint there and have now finished. It wasn't really
the right spot or time of day, but hey, it was a good experience none
the less.
If you could sing with anyone, who would it be and what song would
you sing?
We all have different idols. Stephen would like to sing with Agnetha
from Abba. Ian would like to sing with Ewan McGregor. I would like
to sing with Susan Boyle.
If you would like to sing with 4 Poofs and a Piano,
then make sure you visit them at one of their many UK tour destinations.
"Smoke and Mirrorballs" will be at the Camberley Theatre on
Wednesday 30th March, before heading off to Bishops Stratford, Andover,
Ramsgate, Norwich and Barnsley throughout April.
Further details on 4 Poofs and a Piano's "Smoke
and Mirrorballs" tour can be found at: www.4poofsandapiano.com/
Interviews
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