Peter Capaldi Interview

Peter Capaldi is one of Scotland’s finest actors. He is best known for his part as Malcolm Tucker in the BBC’s political comedy ‘The Thick of it’. Peter is also an Oscar winner and has featured in an array of feature Films, TV shows and Plays. During his busy schedule, Peter caught up with us here at HOLV – and here’s what he had to say:

HOLV: Hello Peter. How are things? What are you working on at the moment?

PC: At the moment I'm rehearsing a show called "ABSURDIA" which opens at the Donmar Warehouse in London at the end of July and runs until Sep 8th. It's three absurdist plays, two by N.F.Simpson; "A Resounding Tinkle" and "Gladly Otherwise" and a new one by Michael Frayn: "The Crimson Hotel".

HOLV: You won an Oscar for best short film in 1994 with Frank Kafka’s it’s a wonderful life. Obviously that must have been a very proud moment for you. But what was the event itself like? Did you have no problem fitting in with the so called ‘celebrity circus’ that comes with this glamorous event?

PC: Winning an Oscar for short film in 1995 was very surprising, exciting, and well wonderful really. How could it not be? Thing was though, it kind of confused people. Wasn't I an actor? Why was I winning an Oscar for directing? A short film? Where can we see it? You can't. But didn't it win an Oscar? Yes but for short film. Oh.

I didn't have any problem fitting in with the celebrity circus as you call it. My only problem was keeping up my membership.

HOLV: You play spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in Armando Ianucci’s political comedy ‘The Thick of it’. I must say I’m a big fan of the series. Was Malcolm a challenging character to play, or was it indeed fun with the swear words slipping off your tongue effortlessly?

PC: Malcolm in The Thick Of It is a great part. I did find it quite hard to do, not because of the swearing, but because of the energy, vocabulary, aggression and speed of thought. But a wonderful challenge. Especially trying to make him richer than just a swearing bully.

HOLV: Some of Malcolm’s antics and vocabulary are indeed something else. Just what do you think when you first see the script in front of you? Do you have the opportunity to improvise at all?

PC: The scripts are great. We always try to do the scripts. We rehearse what's written. Then we will do a rehearsal version using our own words. If we say anything funny, or hit upon any good ideas the writers will rework them into new versions of the script which we will be given when we go to film. That process will continue into filming, with us filming the scripted version (which now contains any improvments and new gags from the writers) and then again we will film an improved version of the same scene. The best bits from each version will then be cut into the version you eventually see.

HOLV: Moving onto music briefly. Everybody has their favourite songs and albums that they simply can’t live without. What songs would you put on your desert island disk?

PC: I was into bands and stuff in Glasgow in the 70s so I'm really stuck on Bowie and lots from that period.

I love THIS MORTAL COIL's version of Song to the Siren. It's is not too far away from
Lisa Gerard and any of her pumped up stuff from the movie "Gladiator" such as Now We Are Free - which is also available in a very funny euro-disco mix. I love soundtracks." Last of the Mohicans" is brilliant. But the best ever I think is Enio Morriccone's music for "The Mission". Continuing up ethereal alley Jan Garabarek 's Icelandic inspired music "Officium" is very nice. Pychedelic Furs original single of "Pretty in Pink" has the best guitar chord opening ever and the Only Ones "another girl another planet" is, as we've always known is the central helix of mascara rock DNA.

Also Television's Marquee Moon and lots of Talking Heads. I like experimental Eno too.

I'm very fond of country and western. Jerry Lee Lewis LIVE! I used to listen to a lot of his patois between numbers was very compelling. The Johhny Cash Hurt, Desperado and Danny Boy are all something too.

Frank Sinatra is a must. Nat King Cole also. Matt Munro, Frankie Vaughn and Frankie Valentino would also have to be found a place. Jarvis Cocker i like a great deal and Lou Reed's Berlin I'm hoping to see in concert this month. I used to play that ALL THE TIME.

Mike Oldfield's Moonlight Shadow also makes me laugh. Especially the guitar solos.

HOLV: Lastly, have you any films or TV Show’s lined up for the future?

PC: I'm doing a new episode of the teen show "Skins" for E4 next month, and a couple of things of my own which may or may not be happening.

HOLV: Thanks Peter, and all the best for the future.

Interviewed By Greg