Former Hollyoaks star Paul Danan is to star in Worth a Flutter at Off West End’s, The Hope Theatre in May 2018 after being a contestant in the Celebrity Big Brother House last summer. Paul will co-star with Emmerdale actress Adele Silva, actor-writer Michael Head and film star and model/actress Lucy Pinder.
After hundreds of thousands of television viewers tuned in to Celebrity Big Brother last summer, now London fans will be able to sit up close and personal with Paul Danan in one of London’s intimate award-winning Off West End venues.
We caught up with Paul to find out more about his return to the stage in Worth a Flutter.
You’re starring in Worth a Flutter at the Hope Theatre, what can you tell us about the play?
Worth A Flutter is a gritty dark hard-hitting comedy. It tells the story of deeply flawed characters as they deal with difficult issues such as, living with a mother who has Borderline Personality Disorder, being a victim of domestic violence and the breakdown of a marriage following the death of a sick child however, these hard-hitting moments are balanced with comedy and absurdity including a horse race of bad first dates and a paranoid Scottish Penis. The balance of hard-hitting and comedy and real moments with these wacky characters make the play compelling.
Tell us a little about your character?
I play over 15 characters in the play! Most of them are cameo comedy roles, such as the dirty perverted 83-year-old next door neighbour, Mr Edwards, and an overbearing flirty cockney mother. My main two roles though are Paul who is a cocky, self-obsessed liar, the kind of character you love to hate, my other main role is Sam who is the flawed hero of the piece. About to embark on an affair, although when the story unfolds you see how his marriage has broken down following the death of his child. It is perhaps the biggest challenge of my career to date but a wonderful opportunity to play such a contrast between the wonderful comedy antagonist, followed by the more grounded flawed hero with a wonderful journey and character arch.
Can we expect to see a bit of ‘Dangerous Danan’ on stage?
I think you always bring a part of yourself to every role you play. What I am pleased about is this will show both sides to my character. My first role Paul has a lot of dangerous Danan about him, and could be seen as how people in the public may view me, however there is also a real, more grounded side to me, the side of me that is a father, and Sam shows this side of me well. Hopefully there is none of Dangerous Danan in Mr Edwards, the 83 year old pervert next door!
What are you most looking forward to about being back on stage?
Acting is my passion and what I do, I am very grateful for the reality TV opportunities that have come my way but acting is my main passion, and what I was doing long before shows like Big Brother. I have just finished filming, and this is another script I am looking forward to challenging myself with. It really is a meaty script with a lot going on and the chance to perform in front of a live audience in such an intimate venue is something that I am relishing.
What made this play ideal for your return to the theatre?
I know the writer Michael Head very well and we are good friends, so it’s always nice to work with people you trust and enjoy working with, however as soon as I read the script I knew it was something I had to do. It really is a gem with so many great comedy moments, gritty monologues and engaging scenes. I don’t believe scripts like this come along too often, so I am delighted to be able to show what I can do in this play. I think the quality of the cast (Adele Silva and Lucy Pinder) speak volumes for how good this script is, as we all know there’s not much money in fringe, but we are part of this because we believe in it.
You’ll be working with Adele Silva, a fellow soap star, do you think that will change the dynamic of the cast?
I do think it will change the dynamic, but in a good way. Adele and I have known each other for years and always got on well, so it’s good to have that dynamic, especially as so many of our scenes are opposite each other. Lucy has also worked with Adele and they get on very well, and as I said before myself and Michael have been good mates for ages. I think these bonds and will be important as it brings a good group dynamic and rapport, which is often needed especially on stage when it is very much a team effort.
What’s more daunting, going in to the Big Brother House or appearing on stage every night?
Both are very daunting but in very different ways! Big Brother has millions of people watching, whereas the theatre only holds 50! With Big Brother people are seeing a version of yourself which they are judging, whereas with the play people will be right on top of us as we perform. But that is the thrill of theatre and is as much of a buzz as it is scary. This play will be a little daunting, but acting is what I do, and to be honest I cannot wait to start.
