Paul Elliott is joining the cast of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in the role of club promoter Mr Boo.
The play centers on a shy young woman who stays primarily in her bedroom until her unique talent for mimicking famous singers is discovered by a local promoter. Elliott will appear in the production alongside Francesca Mills, who is cast in the title role, and Jill Halfpenny, who will portray the character’s mother, Mari Hoff.
Adapting to a New Stage
Transitioning from his long-standing career in television, film, pantomime, and circus work to a live theatrical performance has presented specific challenges for Elliott. He noted that the requirement to be “word perfect” is a departure from his previous work with his brother, Barry.
It’s the first show I’ve done in many, many years without saying ‘to me, to you’. The lines are slowly sinking into my brain. I’ve found that hard. Barry and I ad libbed a lot when we were on stage.
Elliott explained that while he and his brother often embraced and enjoyed moments when things went wrong during their performances, the structure of a live play allows no such flexibility. He also pointed out that the lack of a “cut” option, which is available in television production, adds to the pressure of the stage debut.
Drawing on Career Experience
Despite the technical challenges, Elliott believes he is well-suited for the role of Mr Boo due to his extensive history performing in working men’s clubs. Jim Cartwright, the writer of the play, specifically identified Elliott as the right person for the part because of this background.
Reflecting on his past experiences, Elliott described the reality of the club circuit, noting that audiences were often unpredictable. “You never knew whether they’re going to love you or hate you, and there was no real middle ground,” he said. Throughout his career, he performed in venues across the North East, Wales, and the Midlands, describing that era of his life as not an easy life.
