Sponsored by
Pop star Marti Pellow is the Devil in disguise
THE Witches of Eastwick is set to cast a spell on audiences when it arrives at the Sunderland Empire next month.
We met its star, Marti Pellow, to ask how the Devil he is, and found out that the show is very much a case of being careful what you wish for.
And when three bored housewives in small town America wish for the man of their dreams, they definitely get more than they bargained for – in the form of Darryl Van Horne.
In the musical stage version of the 1987 film coming to North East England, Marti Pellow certainly cuts a devilish figure in the role made famous by Jack Nicholson.
The part, which Pellow says he "fell in love with", comes seven years after he cut his teeth in musical theatre playing slick lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago.
"I went to see a production of The Witches of Eastwick in Washington DC, and I signed up to the part two and a half years ago," he told the Gazette six months into the tour.
"I just love how mischievous Darryl is. He's such a passionate character, yet he's a nasty piece of work.
"It's great to be able to access the dark side. It's a very physical role, but it's great to play.
"I think that, as a musical, it's quite a dark piece. That's what excites me about it, being able to access that kind of character.
"It's not one for the kids. When I come off stage, I feel I've done a great show, but it's always nice to put my own coat on. I'm not a bad man, not in the slightest."
The Wet Wet Wet frontman, 44 next month, added: "With Chicago, it was a great opportunity but I didn't know what to expect.
"I was used to doing my own thing at gigs, where I can shake things up and change the set lists.
"I'm becoming more familiar with the process now, and there's a sense of growth too."
The Clydebank-born singer has enjoyed success, both as a solo artist and with the band, who held the top spot for a record-breaking 15 weeks in 1994 with their cover version of Love Is All Around. He has also battled his demons to overcome heroin addiction.
"I got a moment of clarity," he said. "When not a day goes by without drinking or drugging, you need to re-evaluate your life.
"Feeling and loving, the things we take for granted, are more important than the other stuff. I'm older and wiser now."
Now 10 years clean, something he describes as one of his greatest achievements, Pellow has come full circle and is enjoying success once again.
Last May, he fulfilled an ambition to work with Sir Tim Rice when he played the role of the Arbiter in Chess at London's Royal Albert Hall.
His theatre success doesn't spell the end for Wet Wet Wet, according to Pellow.
"We're writing songs as we speak. I love those guys. They're my mates," he said.
"We make music in between living. We've retained an almost childlike quality that we'll never lose. We enjoy being in each other's company, and we make records when we want to.
"I'm blessed that my fans have afforded me the luxury of digressing into other areas while still keeping the band going."
Pellow has just finished work on a new album, due out later this year, as well as working on material with Squeeze's Chris Difford.
He says he's looking forward to performing in North East England. "I like being among my own," he said.
"Newcastle, Sunder-land, Glasgow, they're very similar surroundings – the people, their attitude, the food, the lifestyle.
"They work hard, and when they spend their money, they want to be entertained, get good value for money. Yes means yes, and no means no. I like that.''
Pellow's supporting cast in the show, based on the novel by the late John Updike, includes Ria Jones and Poppy Tierney.
* The Witches of Eastwick is at the Sunderland Empire from Tuesday, March 17. To book tickets, call (0844) 847 2499.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
