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Robert Bathurst to tickle city’s funny bone with one man stage version of ‘Alex’ cartoon strip

BEST KNOWN FOR his comedy capers playing David in the hit British TV series Cold Feet, Robert Bathurst is coming to Dubai in an innovative new production based on the smash cartoon strip Alex. All the regular characters from the cartoon strip will be there: his timid and inept sidekick Clive, long-suffering wife Penny, abrasive boss Rupert, stroppy client Mr Hardcastle, as well as graduate trainees, bibulous journalists, freeloading industrialists and all the other fringe characters of City life. A smash-hit in London’s West End, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, award-winning director Phelim McDermott comes together with a top-class design team to bring to life ingenious animations from the pen of Charles Peattie in a hilarious night out for theatregoers and a must-see for fans of the cartoon. The play will run on October 8 and 9 at the Madinat Theatre, Dubai.

City Times spoke with Robert about his upcoming project in the Emirates.

What is the play about and how did you get involved?
The play is a one man stage version of the Alex cartoon strip which has been running in newspapers for over 20 years. Alex is a City of London financier whose cynical double dealing has helped him survive in his job from Big Bang to Sub Prime and his marriage has somehow held together too. In the play I am surrounded by cartoons of the eight other characters; I interact with them, speaking to them and as them and I talk to the audience, commenting on the situation I’ve found myself in. Alex gets into terrible scrapes at work and at home and we see if he can wriggle free, somehow. I was sent the play by the writers and found it an unexpectedly exciting story and very funny. 
Were you a fan of the cartoon before you got the part?
Yes, I’ve been reading the strip since the beginning. Oddly, the audience don’t have to know the strip to enjoy the show but fans will enjoy the appearance of some of their favourite characters. 
How have you found the show and rehearsals have been going?
It was a challenge working out how to stage it. The director, writers, the video guys and I spent about a year meeting occasionally for a few weeks at a time devising how to present it. Charles Peattie drew over 2000 frames.
What has the response been like?

Very good, from a wide range of people, not just bankers. A lot of women nudge their husbands during the show and say to them “That’s you”. It seems to have a wide appeal, it is both intelligent and broad. Someone said it was like the Indiana Jones of Corporate Finance. 
Is this your first time out to Dubai, how do you feel about playing here?
I’ve only seen Dubai in the magazines. It has erupted so quickly, it’ll be fascinating to come and get a flavour of the city. I suspect there are several Alex’s lurking in those glass skyscrapers. 
Will the show be exactly the same as it has been in other countries?
The story is set in London. Alex works for Megabank in the City. It doesn’t need to be tailored for a local audience and, anyway, the themes of duplicity, cynicism, lapdancing and corporate fear are worldwide. 
What are your plans after this production?
We’ve filmed the story in a different way than the stage version. We’ll be taking it to TV festivals.
In one line what can the audience expect from Alex?

In 75 minutes they will see a unique theatrical event that will make them laugh, cringe and possibly reassess their entire lives.

EVENT DETAILS

Alex, Madinat Theatre, October 8 and 9, Doors open – 7pm / Curtain Up – 8:30pm

Tickets Dh195 inclusive of Show Programme; Dh300 VIP inclusive of Programme, Alex Book and Reception with Robert Bathurst

Tickets are available through Madinat Box Office

david@khaleejtimes.com