WORDPLAY: 15 illuminating and informative questions 
by Richard Braine 

Richard's guest this month: 
Dean Harris 
Dean is about to play Canon Chasuble in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at the Tabard Theatre from 5th to 23rd June.  


When did you first Act/write/direct etc? And what was it?

In my Secondary School for Boys. I recited a poem dressed as a schoolgirl. Bad taste balloon breasts and knee length drawers. I purposely fell off the front of the stage and clambered back with only one balloon. I'll never forget the audience reaction. The whole school. My form teacher, who was sitting in the front row, laughed so much, I saw the soles of his shoes. I thought, “I gotta get some more of this”.
My first professional job was five years later in Brian Way's Theatre Centre, touring UK schools. 
I have attempted to write. I'm not doing it now, which says everything. 
I've directed two pieces, LOVE AT FIRST BITE, upstairs at The Spice of Life pub in the West End in ‘81 and BUGSY MALONE in a Big Top in a field in Kent in the mid ‘90's. I was quite proud of the latter. I've also run a handful of drama workshops over the years but that's about it. 


What or who was your greatest inspiration?

Anthony Newley. 


What professional training have you had? Do you think it was relevant?

I NEARLY went to Rose Bruford College in the early 60's but I needed O levels and possibly A levels. I knew that taking those exams would be a waste of everybody's time, including my own. I wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. I spent the next five years going from job to job and ended up at Wyndham's Theatre selling ice creams on Joan Littlewood's OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR (she once referred to me as “a fresh faced boy”). That's where the bug really bit. Eleven years later I was back there playing John the Baptist and Judas in GODSPELL.


What has been your favourite part/play/production etc?

My favourite was the easiest. George Macklin in THE FOURTH ARM. A series for Auntie Beeb in ‘83. Playing a likeable villain. Based upon a real safecracker who was released from prison to help with the World War 2 effort. Training to blow up a V2 rocket factory. Basically played myself, a lad from Belvedere. 


What has been the most wonderful thing you’ve seen on the pub theatre circuit?

A piece called MOOD KILL where the actors wore earphones to listen to commentaries from guys suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. They repeated those commentaries ‘verbatim’ to the audience. I was in awe. At the curtain call I gave a standing ovation. I was the only one. Ooops! 


Pub theatre is having something of a renaissance. Why do think this is?

Don't know. Maybe because one doesn't have to take out a second mortgage to be entertained, live. There's a cosy feel about it. Intimate. Getting away from the kids with a pub underneath. All plusses.


Where would you like to be in ten years time?

If I'm not underground pushing up a tree, still being a jobbing actor telling stories. It's one of the oldest professions, going back, I hope, to Neanderthal times. Valuable for society. Or, something equally as valuable. Don't know what. Maybe finding homes for the homeless.


Tell us something about yourself that nobody else would know?

Being an actor wasn't my first choice. I wanted to be the next David Attenborough. ‘Nature study’ was my hobby. The Youth Employment person told me that I would need to go to university. I said forget it. If he had said, “You have a passion for it. Get yourself a camera and go do it”, my life would have taken a different turn. In those days it was in black and white, filming a rhino from behind a tree. What they can do these days! Wow! The closest I am to it now is feeding a family of foxes who visit me every night. 


What is the song that most moves you? 

John Lennon's IMAGINE. If everyone lived those lyrics, our lives would be SO different. It would be a lovely world of peace. Imagine. Ha! 

I recently learned TAKE IT FROM AN OLD MAN from WAITRESS. It moved me greatly. That might have to do with me being an old man. 

Musical, comedy, drama? What would you choose?

Surprise me! 


The crime you would carry out if you could get away with it?

I would turn the tables. I would steal all the money from the wealthiest people and equally share it, worldwide. 


The happiest moment of your life?

There's been a few of them. From being with my kids to being offered work.


The saddest moment of your life?

ONE of the saddest moments was the realisation that my youngest born had absolutely no interest in what I do for a living. I cried. However, it's made me wonder if I did the same to my dad. He was an engineer and was extremely proud that he built turbines for the Second World War effort. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps and I had not the slightest interest. 


What historical figures would you invite to a dinner party?

All the world's worshipped religious icons. Just to see if they were all what they are cracked up to be. 


How would you like to be remembered?

Nicely. Would be good to be remembered with a knowing smile. But unlikely. 


Dean Harris plays the role of Canon Chasuble in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at the Tabard Theatre from 5th to 23rd June.  




" ... ended up at Wyndham's Theatre selling ice creams on Joan Littlewood's OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR (she once referred to me as “a fresh faced boy”). That's where the bug really bit. Eleven years later I was back there playing John the Baptist and Judas in Godspell.

DEAN HARRIS

Dean’s career has spanned over 50 years and has encompassed repertory, touring (UK and internationally) and West End Theatre, Film, Audio work and numerous television comedies and dramas including the role of Mr Boyes in the BBC children television comedy series Bad Boyes and Mr Belcher in Earth Warp. He also played Sgt Quirk in Blood Money, which led to his own espionage series, Cold Warrior. 
Last year Dean’s critically acclaimed performance as Louis B Mayer in The Tailor Made Man earned him an Offie nomination for Best Actor. He also appeared in the films Paradox and Decolonizing Marisa and recorded an episode of Modern Horror Stories. He spent Christmas in Runcorn appearing in Beauty and the Beast and recently recorded and audio drama.
WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT PUB THEATRES?

" ... one doesn't have to take out a second mortgage to be entertained, live. There's a cosy feel about it. Intimate. Getting away from the kids with a pub underneath. All plusses."

Share by: