HP actor David Bradley (Argus Filch) will play the headline role in Harold Pinter’s play
The Caretaker this month. In an interview with
The Argus, Bradley had lots to say about
Harry Potter. He admits he was originally torn between going up for the role of Argus Filch or a villain in a
Batman movie. His children convinced him to go for the
Potter role.
Quote:
I said to the kids, ‘What part do you think I should go up for?' and they suggested Filch. I was a bit disappointed. At least Snape is suave.
That's a bit of a wake-up call, learning that's how your kids see you.
He briefly mentioned working on
Order of the Phoenix – and his character’s affinity for Dolores Umbridge.
Quote:
I had a lot of fun up a 35 ft. ladder, clinging on with one hand and hammering proclamations into the hall wall with the other, while four crew guys shook the bottom. I'm not very good with heights.
Filch loves her [Umbridge] because she's as strict as he is.
Bradley describes how he holds cat treats to make the two cats that play Mrs. Norris (Max and Alanis – named for Alanis Morrisette) to follow him or jump on his shoulder.
Quote:
It often takes a few takes to get the cat to jump up at the right angle, so that its backside isn't covering my face.
Alanis Morrisette. Bit of a poncey name for a cat isn't it? I hope she doesn't get abuse for it in the cattery.
And how do he and the other elder HP actors, such as Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon) and Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), relax between scenes?
Quote:
It's nice when you get a tea break, and we sit around among all the dusty cables behind the set for Hogwarts Hall. They put a special heater in so we can read our papers and have a gossip.
Bradley goes on to mention that he went to school with Alan Rickman in the 70s.
Quote:
He seems to have got better looking, somehow, as he's got older.
The actor also says that he often gets stopped on the street by people wanting him to say Filch-type phrases into their cell phones.
Quote:
I always oblige. For someone of my tender age it's very nice.
The Caretaker will run at Theatre Royal in Brighton from Jan 23-27.