Simon David talks about bringing 'Over My Dad’s Body' to the Vaults

Hello and thank you for taking time out to talk to us today at West End Wilma.
The pleasure is all mine!

What have been some of your highlights in your career so far?
My ‘career’? Well, a highlight has to be taking my first comedy show, ‘Virgin’ to the Edinburgh Fringe two years ago – the gag being I was using my virginity to get a record deal.

Musically directing shows at Vauxhall’s Above The Stag Theatre is always good fun and I’m thrilled to be a regular pianist at London’s showtune sing-a-long bar Overtures.

What is ‘Over My Dad’s Body’ about?
The show is about my father who, before he died last year, wrote, performed & filmed a one man show about his terminal cancer diagnosis, mortality and creativity. So using his film footage, I battle between doing a serious show like my dad or sticking to my camp cabaret?

What West End show would you like to see make a comeback and why?
I absolutely love, ‘The Producers’ which, like my show, smashes together very serious issues with vapid, camp-as-tits showtunes but it’s okay as the joke is on the egotistical maniacs putting on the show, wait…

If I asked your friends to describe you in three words, what would they be?
A bit much.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
Wish I had something more original but I fell flat on my face in a school play.

What are your thoughts on theatre etiquette? What things annoy you when you are performing or when you are in the audience?
Please don’t drink too much before a show! In Edinburgh, I had an extremely drunk woman in the audience who kept whooping every two minutes for the entire hour; I literally had to shush her like a child. Afterwards, I watched her down a pint then get in a cab straight to another show. God knows what she was like for them.

We are living in a time where films are often being turned into stage plays and musicals. If you had to choose one, what film would you like to see adapted to the stage?
I think the film, ‘Pride’ would make a great play and the writer, Stephen Beresford, also wrote the first play I ever saw at The National, ‘The Last Of The Haussmans’ with Julie Walters. Gay rights!

If you could be the opposite sex for the day, what theatre role would you love to have a go at playing?
I transcend gender.

If you won the lottery and could stage one theatre show of your choice, what would you choose and who would be your dream cast?
I’d pay Patti Lupone millions to do a one woman version of Chicago.

Why do you think people should come and see your show?
It really is going to be an emotional rollercoaster as we’re dealing with the subject of grief. I think myself and my director Chris Larner are making something special that could touch people in many different ways.

Plus the show is all new and we have no idea how it will be received, so you could watch a show and a career come to an end all in one night!

Over My Dad’s Body is premiering at VAULT Festival from 28 Jan -1st Feb.
Tickets are available at www.VAULTFestival.com
Follow Simon on Twitter/Instagram @RealSimonDavid

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