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THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013
leicestermercur y.co.uk
LEICESTER MERCURY
Week
the
stage
I
’m having a lesson on how
to be a ventriloquist, by
Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Steve Hewlett. The
technique, he says, is
simple. “You keep your teeth
together, slightly open your
lips and hope for the best. If
nothing moves when you talk
then you’re a ventriloquist,” he
laughs. “Or at least that’s what
I’ve been doing for the past 16
years.”
Modest he may be, but “good”
ventriloquism is about as easy
as, well, a very hard thing. And
Steve has made a career out of
throwing his voice.
Having a cheeky right-hand
man like Arthur Lager helps.
The endearing elderly puppet
stole the nation’s hearts earlier
this year on Simon’s Cowell’s
TV talent show.
Steve and his puppet pals
came a respectable fourth
place, after winning the wildcard and getting through to the
BGT finals. So while he won’t
be making merry with the
Queen at the Royal Variety performance, Steve will be coming
to Sileby Side Splitters comedy
club next month.
“I’m doing my tour next year,
it’s what I’m putting together
now and what I’ll be warming
up for in Leicester,” he says.
“Of course, there will be old
stuff, the best bits – I’ve spent a
lifetime honing those – but
there will new material, too.
“Strictly speaking, I’m family-friendly, but Sileby is an
adult comedy club, so Arthur
Lager might get a little bit
cheeky, too. I’m hoping it will
encourage people to come and
see my full show.”
It’s no surprise Steve was
signed by Royal Global Management as soon as he left the
BGT stage and it’s been nonstop since.
“Arthur Lager’s even doing
his first panto this year,” he
says.
“They say ventriloquism is a
dying art, but I’ve been lucky
and a full-time professional
since 1997. My job now is to
Armed with
cheeky charm,
talented Steve
is no dummy
His foils may be
fabric, but funnyman
Steve gives great
characters a voice,
says Gemma Collins
make sure the hype doesn’t die
down.”
With everything from art gallery openings to television
shows on the horizon, Steve’s
presence in the world of entertainment is getting stronger. “I
picked up a copy of OK!
magazine, the royal baby
souvenir, and there was me,
giving Wills and Kate advice –
like they’d listen to anything I
had to say!” he laughs.
“It’s strange, these mags are
full of celebrities and I’ve never
seen myself as that. I’m a ventriloquist, first and foremost,
but we have started accepting a
few invites to parties.”
Steve is the first to admit introducing Little Simon Cowell
was an ingenious move.
“People go wild for him,” he
says. “He was a dummy I had
sitting in the corner of a room. I
sent him to a puppet-maker in
Portugal and two weeks later
and a week before the final, this
box turned up. He had the sunburn, the forehead, the teeth
and those trousers up to the
chest – it was perfect.
“I didn’t expect the reaction I
got from the judges. I’m proud,
and I’m not going to be modest
– they said it was the funniest
moment in the series. I’m
chuffed to have been in the
biggest variety show on TV.”
From Cromer pier to primetime television, the exposure
has certainly made Steve a recognisable face.
“It’s strange, to be known, for
people to want to have their picture taken with me,” he says.
“But I don’t mind. I’ve been
striving for this.”
Even Arthur has gained
celebrity status. “He’s a character I’ll always be associated
with, but I want to keep inventing new ones, create my own
mini Madame Tussauds.”
Steve’s new puppet is a cute
blue dog called Chii Chii.
“I don’t do tricks, but working
two puppets at a time always
impresses people – and the
really fast talking.
“It can get confusing, arguing
with two characters and juggling three voices, but the
beauty of making mistakes,
you make that part of the act.”
So while Steve can’t guarantee there won’t be any mistakes
in Sileby, he does say he’s looking forward to the gig.
“I think it’s amazing to play
an intimate venue, I’ve no
snobbery about a small room.
“I’m just looking forward to
seeing my name on the door.
“I toured for three years supporting Ken Dodd and played
De Montfort Hall. Now I’m the
one who’s selling out shows.”
info
STEVE HEWLETT brings Thinking Inside The Box to Sileby
Conservative Club, on
September 30. Tickets £10.
www.side-splitters.co.uk
POINTED GAGS: Steve Hewlett with Arthur Lager
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