The Tutor – getting an insight from the cast of the latest offering at The Forge at The Court Theatre
by Karin O’Donnell
It’s not often that I get out to interview anyone, much less really interesting people, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet the guys who star in The Tutor. Running at The Forge at The Court Theatre, The Tutor is billed as a kiwi satire. I was lucky enough to see it on opening night, when the audience gave the cast and crew a standing ovation – no small feat as many of those present were battle-hardened journos!
The Tutor has seasoned player Jon Pheloung as the man of the title, Phil Vaughan as the self-made millionaire John Sellars, who employs Richard Holton to tutor his son in maths, and Markus Hoetjes as Nathan Sellars, the obnoxious fifteen-year-old. During the play it is revealed that all three characters are more than simple stereotypes. Amidst the fast-paced, laugh-a-minute action, there are undercurrents that leave the audience food for thought.
So, what are they like, Phil Vaughan, Jon Pheloung and Markus Hoetjes? We met at The Arts Centre for a coffee – and the interview didn’t go as I’d expected. Once I realised that I’d be trying to herd cats, I simply enjoyed the somewhat breathless ride.
These guys are FUN! They absolutely love what they do and this huge enthusiasm for the theatre in general and for The Tutor in particular was brought into the conversation time and time and time again.
Once we’d discussed 80s music and had had a virtual trip to the movies (I think that actors look at movies in a different light from the rest of us!), I managed to get the following questions in, and got some answers to them:
1. Congratulations to all of you! The play was fantastic and I’d love to go back and see it again.
Phil: Thanks. It was awesome when the audience gave us a standing ovation.
2. I really enjoyed the production – everything about it. How do you guys feel, being part of the action?
Phil: Loving it!
Jon: Absolutely!
Markus: Yeah.
Phil: Really enjoying myself! There’s a good feeling in the dressing room and I find myself getting goosebumps as the music starts.
Markus: It’s something you can dig your teeth into; a real challenge. It’s something that actors strive for. I’m learning from older people. With only two others on stage it’s having a voice, as opposed to a lot of other productions where you may be one of about 20 chorus boys.
Phil: It’s 90 minutes long with no interval. Once you’re on the train there’s no getting off!
Jon: It’s one of those kinds of things that come along once a year, and make people proud of you.
Phil: The music is helpful too. Ben (DJ Benet Hitchcock) has done a great job and it adds another dimension to the play.
3. Jon, you directed Baghdad, Baby! at the Forge, and you’ve been in other productions at The Court Theatre. How does this compare?
Jon: I found the other productions that I acted in nowhere near as creative as The Tutor. We’re basically all on stage for most of the play, unlike other plays where I’ve spent a lot of time in the dressing room.
Phil: The Tutor’s got guts!
4. While the setting remains John Sellars’ fancy Auckland apartment right through the The Tutor, I noticed that you have some very quick changes to make between scenes. How do you cope with those?
Markus: After three weeks of rehearsal, we had a week in production. Our director, Lara Macgregor, used a stopwatch and told us we had to improve on the times we were taking. It’s crazy! We have to make sure we’ve got all the bits and pieces and everything right for the next scene. We have lists pinned up backstage to prompt us.
Phil: On opening night I was trying to attract Markus’ attention to ask him what I was supposed to be doing on the set.
Jon: When we have to take a jacket, for example, on stage, it has struck me that we put it down in a place that may seem natural but in real life is something we wouldn’t do.
5. Tell me about working with director Lara Macgregor.
Jon: Lara’s not into all that technical stuff, like which way the (liquor) bottle faces on stage. This was way more fascinating and involving.
Phil: We sat down and talked about the characters as if they were real people. We discussed the reality of the situations our characters face.
Phil: Lara is great! (Markus and Jon agree rather vigorously.)
6. Phil, you’re doing TV work on Big Wednesday and you have a radio show in Wellington. How did you get involved in The Tutor?
Phil: It’s a long story, but I was asked to read the part, and really enjoyed doing the reading. When Dave Armstrong, the writer, turned up on my doorstep he was absolutely fizzing with enthusiasm and I decided I just had to get involved. I’ve loved it and would love to do more!
7. Hah! Here’s a question that all non-thespians ask: can you make a living out of it?
Jon: Yes, you can, if you have simple needs, if you don’t want the latest cars and things. It comes down to quality of life.
Markus: I’d hate a job where I work from 8:30 to five and just do the same things all day.
Phil: I’m really enjoying it. I like being able to come to Christchurch and sleep on my mate’s couch for the duration of the show.
8. The Tutor finishes its run on 11 April. What are your plans for afterwards?
Markus: I’m applying for scholarships at the moment with the intention of going to do a Masters at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in September. I have theatre work and auditions coming up in the interim.
Phil: I have my radio programme in Wellington plus TV’s Big Wednesday to go back to.
This has been so interesting! Thanks, guys. Lovely to meet you all and hear some of your opinions. Good luck with the rest of the run. I’m thinking of seeing The Tutor again, I enjoyed it so much the first time.
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