Pippa Evans on... Be Our Guest
Mr Thomas (Les Dennis) leads a meditation session
Pippa writes...
If you had of told me age 10 that in 19 years time I would be on a stage in Salford performing with Les Dennis in a sitcom I had written, I would have believed you. I was a precocious child. However, when Paul Schlesinger told me Be Our Guest was to be part of the Salford Sitcom Showcase, I was not only surprised but also unaware just how awesome this experience would be.
Mandy (Pippa Evans) and Laura (Laura Aikman) hard at work
I knew Be Our Guest would be performed on a set and in costume, but anyone with a history in Theatre In Education will know that can mean anything. I once did Cinderella where my set was a red curtain on a pole and my costume was a rug with some silver gaffer tape for a belt. The pensioners we performed to didn’t know if it was a pantomime or some kind of burlesque act.
The Salford Sitcom Showcase was totally excellent – the rehearsing for 4 whole days (that’s like UNHEARD OF for such an event), the brilliant set and costumes (No gaffer in sight) and of course, the fantastic cast. It was like I had someone from every show that had ever influenced me (, Russ Abbott, The Brittas Empire to name but a few) and all the new talent I could wish for. I also got to have a spray tan, so I spent my time in Manchester the colour of Iron Bru. Classy.
Hello? Can anybody hear me? Pippa Haywood as Silvia
It has been over a week now since the performance and the high has just about vanished (which is more than I can say for my orange hue). The strangest thing about writing a sitcom, is never knowing if it will become anything but words on a page. Whether the jokes will ever be laughed at out loud. Be Our Guest has been in my pocket for just over two years. Getting added to and prodded at sporadically in between gigs, temping jobs and attempts at sleeping. Salford was a great way to show the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Executives how the show would run, how much an audience would laugh (lots!) and just how hilarious Susan Harrison looks in an oversized Chef outfit.Ìý
Now please excuse me – I have to go and buy some new bed linen. Mine looks it’s been Tango’d.
Jack (Ardal O'Hanlon) and Penny (Susan Harrison) debating the merits of frozen omelettes
Pippa Evans is on the Radio
Join Pippa for a pilot recording packed full of sketches and characters that have come out of her brain. - request free tickets here!
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