On the eve of the Walking with Dinosaurs visit to the Land of the Long White Cloud, Renee Liang talks to the man who does actually ‘walk with the dinosaurs’ – Dominic Rickhards, the English actor who embodies Huxley, a palaeontologist who is the only ‘live human’ on stage.
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You’ve seen all the bus shelters with their baleful-looking dinosaur eye. If all the hype (and the awards) are to be believed, this is one amazing, megasaurus-size, you’d imagine-you-were-back-in-the-Mesozoic, show. But is it entertainment or is it art?
It’s clear that a lot of time, work and money has gone into this, and the show has its roots in the impressive and well-regarded BBC documentary series of the same name. Reading the press release for the show is an exercise in superlatives – it took a year just to construct the dinosaurs for the show, which are a mix of puppetry and robotic wizardry. Following the direction museums seem to be going in, this show straddles documentary, entertainment and theatre. And it’s been made by those masters of hyperbole, the Australians, which means it’s probably going to be much, much larger than life (or the same size, if you’re talking about dinosaurs).
Although it takes about 65 cast and crew to actually manipulate the dinos, the only ‘human’ actually seen on stage is Huxley, a palaeontologist who narrates the show. I talked with the rather dishy Dominic Rickhards.
Renee: Who did you use as inspiration for the character of Huxley?
Dom: He’s a blend of Indiana Jones, Steve Irwin, David Attenborough, Bear Gryls and just me when I’m out fishing (which is all the time).
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Renee: Twenty dinosaurs, 65 cast and crew, multiple TV appearances and show awards - everything about this show seems to be superlative. As the "human" face of the show, how do you make a personal connection with the audience?
Dom: I Just tell a great story to the people in front of me. In the end it’s a rattling good yarn with the advantage of actually being true. Having four kids myself, telling stories is something I do every day whether I’m at work or not..
Renee: You've had a stellar career as a classical actor on stage and screen. Is Walking with Dinosaurs a very different experience?
Dom: It is a totally unique experience. Nothing is this big or this exposing. Even appearing nude and snogging Ian McKellan at the National Theatre (Martin Sherman’s Bent 1991) felt cosier than being alone on this gigantic stage for two hours.
Renee: Have you been to NZ before? What are you interested in seeing while you're here?
Dom: Never. I want to see some Rugby (I’m a huge union fan and ex amateur player. Usually at blind side flanker but also played wing and centre) I also want to catch some fish. Any good spots, let me know.
Renee: Were you involved in the original genesis of the show? Have you had much creative input into the UK and NZ versions of the show?
Dom: Not really except each Huxley – and I was the first of 50 of us on this tour, will bring a little of their own personality to the role.
Renee: What's it like working with Australians?
Dom: They are refreshingly lacking in formality and I have picked up a selection of useful new words and phrases, few of which are repeatable here. A jolly bunch.
Renee: Is this show about entertainment, or education?
Straight down the middle. There’s far more info in it than some people expect yet it’s still primarily a show. Many adults have been surprised by how much they got into it even though they thought they were just bringing the kids. It’s that ‘learning without realizing you’re learning’ experience!
Renee: The NZ season is being touted as the final destination in the Walking With Dinosaurs journey. Why are you stopping now?
Dom: Because we’ve probably been everywhere that can take us over the last 4 ½ years! Many more places have been keen for us to bring the show to their country but they don’t have an arena big enough for us to fit! And everything needs a rest too – even if it’s only a short one! There are already plans in place for it to start touring again in 2012.
Renee: What's next for you, as an actor?
Dom: Nothing booked at the moment. Lining up the next job is slightly difficult from the other side of the world. But I’d like to do something with the following ingredients: A) It’s in the UK; B) It has other actors not just me; and C) No monsters.
Vector Arena, Auckland June 29-July 10. (Some shows already sold out). Bookings Ticketmaster Ph: 0800-111-999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Walking with Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular was originally produced in Australia by Gerry Ryan, Malcolm Cooke and Jill Bryant and is brought to New Zealand by NZEEC with Creature Production Company in association with BBC Worldwide.
For updates and further information visit www.dinosaurlive.co.nz