Oliver Twist

[xpingux]

COMEDY STAR IS SET FOR A SHARP ADAPTATION OF DICKENS' CLASSIC

09:30 - 15 December 2007



Julian Rhind-Tutt, best known for his role in surreal comedy Green Wing - and the subsequent series of Barclaycard adverts with his co-star Stephen Mangan - is looking forward to playing the baddie in BBC1's new adaptation of Oliver Twist. Here, he speaks about his career to date and the challenges of his latest role, Mr Monks.

Oliver Twist has been adapted for stage and screen more than 50 times. So why, you may ask, has the BBC decided to revisit the Dickens story again? Is there anything new they can draw from the yarn?

These were questions one of the stars of the five-part drama, Julian Rhind-Tutt, also asked before he decided to take on the role of Mr Monks.



"I wasn't turned off by it, but I was slightly sceptical," the 39-year-old admits. "You never know if anything is going to be any good but that's particularly true of period dramas because there has been a real glut of them recently, of varying qualities. I am old, jaded, cynical and bitter, so I was thinking, is this going to be any good?"

Luckily, he was very pleasantly surprised by the script, which has been penned by former EastEnders writer Sarah Phelps. Like the hugely successful Bleak House, the story has been split into bite-size chunks for its latest retelling.

"I think she's managed to extract the tightest, sharpest, fastest-moving screen adaptation," Julian says. "What you get is an original sense of the melodrama. You get the story in episodes, like a soap, with cliff-hangers and a very taught script."

The former Green Wing actor plays Mr Monks, who was a peripheral character in the book but whose role is magnified in this dramatisation.

"He's the grandson of Mr Brownlow and it's in his interests to see the demise of Oliver Twist because his inheritance will be threatened," Julian explains. "If Oliver comes back to the big house, Mr Monks will have to split his inheritance with him, so it's fair to say he doesn't want him around."

While probably not as evil as Bill Sikes, Mr Monks is certainly what Julian describes as "a rotter".

"It was brilliant," he says of playing such a nasty piece of work. "I've not really done that before, so I practised my evil looks in the mirror!"

There are some lighter moments that involve Mr Monks too, because, as with all Dickensian baddies, he is often the source of some black humour.

"The dark, evil characters often believe that they are in the right," says Julian. "So if they do happen to have quirky elements then that's probably a good thing, rather than just trying to play some abstract notion of evil."

When Julian turned up to the BBC's wardrobe department, he was pleasantly surprised to see what he would be wearing.

"I was thinking I'd get stuck in some rubbish ex-Dickens frock coat, because the costume departments in these type of things are often done over. But wardrobe did a remarkable job - I've got a full length leather coat with a fur collar - a proper baddie's coat!"

It was also discussed whether the actor should dye his trademark strawberry blonde hair black for the role, he reveals, but they decided against it.

"A few years ago I could have played Oliver myself, but having got over the fact I was robbed of the part by some pesky 10-year-old, I was thinking that what's quite interesting is maybe this guy is a little bit like Oliver - he could have turned out like Oliver.

"Mr Monks is like a diseased angel. He could have been a wonderful, loving grandchild, but it all got twisted in his head."

For many, it will be a surprise to see Julian in a serious drama. Although he has appeared in films including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and more recently Stardust, it's his role in the surreal medical comedy Green Wing that most people know him for. In it, he starred as effortlessly cool surgeon Mac and the part made him a bit of an unlikely sex symbol. However, he insists he's a serious actor by nature.

"I'm not really a comedian, I just happened to be in a couple of things that had some funny lines that I said," he says, smiling. "But you can get quite easily steered into one area, not pigeonholed but people assume you only work in one genre."

As for the future, Julian says he hasn't got anything in the pipeline at the moment, apart from the possibility of some more of those Barclaycard adverts he and Green Wing co-star Stephen Magnan appear in.

"We might do more," he says. "I hope so. Then I can buy another Porsche."

[smoo2]

Thank for that pingu! It's really interesting. Where was this interview from?

What do they mean, 'an unlikely sex-symbol'?!

[maisie]

so I practised my evil looks in the mirror!"

I *heart* him so much for this!!

I've got a full length leather coat with a fur collar - a proper baddie's coat!"

*flail*

Thanks for this Pingu. Can't wait for Tuesday!

[marinewarden]

While probably not as evil as Bill Sikes, Mr Monks is certainly what Julian describes as "a rotter".

Is he from the Rotter's Club then Julian? sorry that was lame but couldn't resist that one!

"It was brilliant," he says of playing such a nasty piece of work. "I've not really done that before, so I practised my evil looks in the mirror!"

Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall during all those practices in the mirror!

It was also discussed whether the actor should dye his trademark strawberry blonde hair black for the role, he reveals, but they decided against it.

Hooray! - someone actually has the sense to leave the gorgeous Lion's mane as it is - afterall, he didn't like dying it for Miss Marple now did he?

Thanks Pingu!

[ducatilady]

Thanks for posting this Pingu, was there a photo with the interview...someone is trying to sell a saturday magazine with an interview & photos on Ebay for $9.99, I was hoping one of our many 'detectives' would find it!

[ch1ch1]

What a brilliant article - typical Julian: funny, witty, self-deprecating, clever and utterly loveable!!!

As for the future, Julian says he hasn't got anything in the pipeline at the moment, apart from the possibility of some more of those Barclaycard adverts he and Green Wing co-star Stephen Magnan appear in.

"We might do more," he says. "I hope so. Then I can buy another Porsche."

Thanks xpingux!

[faeriequeen]

I am old, jaded, cynical and bitter

Hahaha, oh shut up Julian. :p

"I've not really done that before, so I practised my evil looks in the mirror!"

Hee! What I would give to have seen him doing that! I'm really looking forward to the smouldering dark looks, a la Rufus Sewell in "A Knight's Tale".

"I've got a full length leather coat with a fur collar - a proper baddie's coat!"

*flails* needs some leather trousers too though

I am also very glad the reporter used the phrase "strawberry blonde" to describe his hair...they clearly did their research properly!
And the Porche comment is very amusing! *hearts Julian so much*

Thanks Emma, where's the article from?

[Lil]

Brilliant interview!

The Observer had a full page picture of Julian (tabloid size) as Monks on the front of their television guide to advertise Oliver Twist with the words "Julian Rhind-Tutt stars in Oliver Twist" with no mention of anyone else! I haven't got a scanner but it was a lovely picture - if I have time I'll try to track it down on their website.
Inside it said that he gives a "truly chilling" performance.

Getting very excited!

[tutt-sweet]

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displ ... eId=188965

Seen the article before but not the very cute pic of Himself!

[Bekiboo]

that article was a really !! i really enjoyed reading it! and although he says comedy isn't really his thing - i do think comedy roles really suit him because he plays the chracters so well. saying that though im looking forward to seeing him as a baddie! i've left post its all around my room to remind me to watch oliver tonight - really looking forward to it now!

oh yes that pic of him on the nottingham website is lovely.

[maisie]

OMG OMG OMG.
"I want him dead. I want him wiped off the face of the earth."
*swoon*

That is all.

[faeriequeen]

I AM SO F*****G ANNOYED WITH MYSELF. I've been spending hours putting a picspam together for an entry on my livejournal and completely forgot about Oliver Twist! ARGH! *bashes head on desk*

[maisie]

Noooooooooooo!!!! I'm sure it will be repeated - won't it? You didn't miss much Jules - just some sinister lurking, side-of-face shots and admittedly flail-inducing final line (but I think it's pretty certain that line will make it into tomorrow's pre-episode flashback).

Take heart - there's still 4 episodes full of shivery goodness to go.

[miMac]

Argh!!!
How amazing!!!

I ran round the house like 2 minutes before it was going to be on screaming to my mum and brother "Oliver Twist! Oliver Twist!! Julian Rhind-Tutt! Oliver Twist!!"

Then sat and watched in admiration while involuntary sounds came out of my mouth any time he appeared on screen!! =D

The smile he did in the court was so amazing.
I nearly fainted.

And the last lines. Crikey. I was in absolute awe.

Aside from Julian, I think it's an excellent adaptation. I'm really enjoying it. Michelle Gomez was hilarious!! Loved the hat!!

Can't wait till tomorrow......

[faeriequeen]

Noooooooooooo!!!! I'm sure it will be repeated - won't it? You didn't miss much Jules - just some sinister lurking, side-of-face shots and admittedly flail-inducing final line (but I think it's pretty certain that line will make it into tomorrow's pre-episode flashback).

Take heart - there's still 4 episodes full of shivery goodness to go.

Ok that's made me feel slightly better. I'm hoping it will pop up on the BBC iPlayer for download sometime this evening or tomorrow morning.
Still annoyed though.

[ducatilady]

FQ I can't believe you missed it...what were you thinking!!!!
As Maisie said you didn't miss a lot, but the little bits you did miss....OMG he looked gorgeous!

[faeriequeen]

I know! I have completely failed at life once again.
The only excuse I can give is that looking through my photobucket for pics of all the actors I like has melted my brain somewhat!

[miMac]

Aww!! no way did you miss it!!
Hopefully you'll be able to catch it somewhere else!

I've just realised that I'm working tomorrow night, AND Thursday night.


I'm really hoping it's going to be on virgin media catch up tv!!
Otherwise I'll have to beg one of my friends to tape it for me!!!

[marinewarden]

Oh FQ - I cannot believe you missed it!
It was bloody brilliant or should I say - he was bloody brilliant in it - I recognised him instantly - and not by his face, but by his hands, his lovely hands!
... and that smile in court..OMFG! totally gorgeous and I canee wit until tomorrow!!!!

[chatterbox]

Well, that was pretty good wasn't it? Love the coat and the cane.

FQ - after all your efforts with the calendar as well ...but, I am recording it, so if it doesn't pop up on a repeat, I'm sure I can help you out with a copy

Looking forward to tomorrow