The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Chris Pizzey: “Have I ever committed a crime? Apart from hunting for my Christmas presents as a kid… no.”

Mischief Theatre was founded in 2008 as an improvised theatre group on the London and Edinburgh fringes, they have grown into one of the UK’s leading theatre companies, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy for The Play That Goes Wrong, which began in front of four people above a pub. Their latest show, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is currently running in London’s West End.

Chris Pizzey

The company has had a meteoric rise of Mischief Theatre, with three productions being performed in the West End, one of which is due to be a highlight of the Christmas TV schedules.

It’s been a hell of a month, so, I thought it might be good to have some light relief and have a chat with cast member Chris Pizzey. Chris is an Actor, writer and a Director and he just so happens to currently be playing Officer Randall Shuck in The Comedy About A Bank Robbery.

Hi Chris, how is it all going?
Busy but good. Instead of having a day off I’ve been recording a voice over for a brand new TV show coming out next year. Sadly In not allowed to say what it is. And then today I was back on stage making people laugh.

You are part of quite a brilliant cast for The Comedy About A Bank Robbery aren’t you.

Thank you very much you are very kind. The cast is indeed a talented bunch. As also is the whole creative and behind the scene crew. Everyone works hard to make the show run like a well oiled machine.

Do you think we care too much about what other people think nowadays?

Some people do. I think it’s very liberating when you reach a point in your life when you feel strong and sometimes brave enough to follow your own path. Be that at 5 or 50 Year’s old.

Do you agree with the statement that the best kind of theatre is jovial with a slight undercurrent of menace?

No. I think there are many different types of Theatre that strive to achieve different things. Some want to teach us, others want to open our eyes to a different view point and some just want you to escape into another world for just a few hours. All are equal in my mind and magical in their own way.

Is there one thing you wish someone had told you when you were starting out about this industry?

Yes. Don’t be scared to be yourself.

Have you ever committed a crime?

Apart from hunting for my Christmas presents as a kid… no.

You have done a lot of work for television including The Basil Brush Show & The Sarah Jane Adventures. Do you prefer performing for theatre or screen?

They are such different mediums you can’t compare the two. Theatre gives you that immediate reaction that can send shivers down your spine as you listen to the audience laugh or gasp. On the screen sometimes you know after a take you’ve been apart of something special but then have to wait sometimes months to see the results. But in that time the scene can be made even better with clever editing and atmospheric music. I feel lucky to have experienced both.

Comedy About A Bank Robbery
©Tristram Kenton

Would you say you are an ambitious person?

Yes. Ambition I think is a wonderful thing as It drives you on even when things aren’t going your way.

Mischief Theatre is on a roll at present; with three shows in the West End. It must feel quite good to be a part of that family.

Yes it does. I think Mischief Theatre has a fantastic energy. It’s great to work for a company that thinks anything is achievable.

Andrew Lloyd Webber: man, or God?

He’s a man but a very talented one.

Why should people come and see The Comedy About A Bank Robbery?

If you want to go for a night out and genuinely laugh until your cheeks ache. Our play is for you. Don’t believe me? Come and prove me wrong.

Right you are. If you could ban anything from city centres what would it be?

Nothing comes to mind… I’m quite a tolerant kind of guy.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Thanks for your questions if you have others you can find me on Twitter @chrispizzey.

The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is at the Criterion, London, until November 2018.

November 20, 2017/by Theatre M

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