An Interview With Zombie Prom’s Christopher Clegg
Published on Monday 5th October, 3.23pm, Written by Jonathan Dudley
Last week we had a quick chat with Dana P. Rowe, the musical genius behind Zombie Prom and The Witches of Eastwick. This week we’re chatting to Christopher Clegg, producer of Zombie Prom at the Landor Theatre.
Zombie Prom, it has zombies. Also, a prom.
Mr Clegg, tell us a little but about yourself, how did you get into producing?
I got into producing when I was 21 and my good friend Ian McFarlane (Director of Zombie Prom) approached me with a new musical he had written (Betwixt!… but then called “Enchanted”). I had produced a few amateur shows up north, but never a professional show, and never in London.
We met with the Courtyard Theatre who at the time had a base in Covent Garden, we signed the contract and just went for it without a clue in the world. It was scary, but we learnt a lot and I, very luckily, made a few contacts who have now developed into friends without who I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Tell us about some of the projects you have been involved in…
Earlier this year I was the Production Coordinator for the What’s On Stage Awards at the Prince of Wales Theatre, I co-produced the 2008 season with the Kings Head Theatre, and produced the sold-out concerts of “Betwixt!” and “Miranda Sings” in the West End.
Do you share Dana Rowe’s apparent taste for the more macabre side of musical theatre?
I do enjoy the darker side of musical theatre — two of my favourite shows are BAT BOY and The Witches Of Eastwick, both have a sinister feel to them. I think as long as it’s a well-constructed and original piece, such as Zombie Prom, you can cover any subject matter (apart from maybe Ernest Hemmingway….).
We seem to be seeing a lot of revivals and familiar stories in the West End at the moment, do you think the West End prefers ‘safer’ options?
I think in London and the UK in general we seem to be drawn to shows we know or have heard of before more so than in New York.
Maybe that is because no one is brave enough to take a massive risk on a new, completely original show! I love that in New York they produce bold and daring shows such as Next To Normal, RENT, [title of show], and even Xanadu — I can’t imagine that these shows would ever made it to the West End if they had started in the US!
What’s your favourite musical (that you haven’t worked on)?
I’m a HUGE fan of Jerry Herman so most of his shows. I love Anything Goes, Xanadu was one of my highlights on one of my recent New York trips, and I have a big space in my heart for the Witches Of Eastwick!
Do you think the West End is ready for Zombie Prom?
Well, we are starting Off-West End at the Landor, but I think London is ready for it! We are open over Halloween, World Zombie Day, and the new movie Zombieland, so it’s obviously a good time for Zombies….. especially singing and dancing ones!
