In the shadow of the Doctor

http://cuttingsarchive.org/images/4/43/1988-03-17_Mercury.jpg

Publication: South East London Mercury
Date: 1988-03-17
Author: Julian Cole
Page:
Language: English

TOM BAKER is always more than prepared for the Dr Who fans who still ask for his autograph. He is never without a sheaf of photographs of himself, ready to hand out after he has signed his name. "Never trust a popular actor who doesn't walk around with a few pictures of himself," he says. "It means he doesn't believe in his own delusions."

This habit of anticipating the impromptu requests of fans neatly illustrates Tom Baker's dilemma: he is a popular actor, but one who would prefer to be more popular.

Tom spent six years as Dr Who, wreathed in the distinctive, brightly-coloured coils of a pythonesque scarf. It was a period which brought him fame — but, he insists, leaves him today with little fortune and virtually no television work. "I've mainly done theatre in recent years because I'm virtually unemployable on television," he said. "No one is going to want me on television, I'm typecast."

It is, perhaps, surprising that Tom Baker should still be afflicted by that particular actor's curse, since it is now eight years since he stopped playing Dr Who. But he insists he has no regrets. "There's no point in regretting it. I just thought I'd be the one to break it; but I didn't."

Thus mainly spurned by television, Tom has turned to theatre. Last year, he had a lengthy spell in the West End, playing Inspector Goole in a long-running revival of An Inspector Calls. Now he is appearing at Greenwich Theatre in the premiere of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, by John Bishop.

The play, a hit in New York last year, is a comedy thriller inspired by 1940s movies. It is set in an isolated country mansion, which becomes snow-bound while packed with people auditioning for a new Broadway musical. And then the murders start.

"It's a comedy but it's also a thriller, where murders happen," says Tom, who is playing Ken de la Maze, director of the Broadway show.

Enthusiasm

The play appealed to Tom because it is a new piece. "When you get to my age, you mainly get offered revivals," he said, pointing to Frank in Educating Rita, Mr Hardcastle in She Stoops To Conquer, at the National Theatre, and Priestley's Inspector Goole. "Last year I was even asked to do Deathrap," he said, with a faint shudder.

"When I was sent the script I read it and thought 'Yes, this is funny, very funny'. Then I asked who was in it, and they said Sheila Steafel, Simon Cadell and Margaret Courtenay, I said I'd like to do it. They are all people I admire," he added.

Despite his enthusiasm for the play, Tom says it will almost cost him money to appear at Greenwich Theatre. "They're hardly paying enough.to cover my rail fares," he said. "I live down in Kent and it's going to cost me about £70 a week. I'm not complaining.— just pointing out the situation."

But he does stress that acting is not making him a rich man. "I can't make a living as an actor, I can't support myself as an actor," he insists. "I have to

subsidise it with other work." This takes the form of voice-overs for TV adverts, lucrative when you can get them, and other 'business' acting, such as promotional videos for companies.

WHEN Tom Baker speaks, he leans forward and stares at you with large, critical eyes with an almost uncomfortable intensity. It can take a little getting used to, especially as he is a tall man, with strong aquiline featres. At 54, his hair is neater and more grey than in his publicity pictures.

He is a man of undeniable presence, and a surprising sense of self-irony. Before our interview, I had been told by a number of people that Tom. Baker could be "difficult". A public relations man once told me that he introduced himself to the reputedly fiery actor with the words "How nice to meet you, Mr Baker." To which the actor responded: "You won't think that for long."

The Tom Baker you meet today seems to have mellowed — or, at least, -is keen to give the impression that has done so. He is, he insists, at his most content in the lulls between work. Then he retreats to his house in Kent, where he has 10 cats, "mostly Biirmese."

He grew up in Liverpool, and started acting more than 30 years ago, after two years National Service. It was, he says, a lot easier to get work in those days.

His early career included a two and a half year spell at the original National Theatre, working under Laurence Olivier. After that, he appeared in numerous plays and a number of films, including Pasolini's Canterbury Tales. In 1974, he was cast in the title role for The Trial of Oscar Wilde. In the same year he stepped into the Tardis as Dr Who. And life was never quite the same. . Tom says he has no idea what he will be doing when the Greenwich run ends. "I never make plans," he said. He then added that he is not in a position to make plans or demands. "Just like any other inadequate," he said, surprisingly. The rather dismissive self-adhesive label is one he Applies a number of times during our interview. He gives the impression of being a man who appears successful to the outside world, but who doesn't particularly feel that way to himself.

Despite this, Tom is clearly proud that he has stayed the course and not quit acting to "write, direct or open an antiques shop." And although he says the TV work has dried up, he put in a nice cameo performance last year as a whiskey priest in The Life And Loves of a She Devil. "There are opportunities on TV but a lot of it really isn't me. I'm not really very good at what passes for TV drama today, all those police series, they don't interest me."

Asked if he has any ambitions, Tom thought for a moment and then replied: "I can't say I have, really. I'd just like to be a big glossy star." Some time back, he asked his agent to try and get him on Soap, but nothing came of it. So would he like to be in Dallas or Dynasty? "I'd love it, to be in one of those big zonking soap operas."

It is one of those ironies of life that Dr Who programmes starring Tom Baker are still showing across America. The very series which Tom says has blighted his TV career in Britain is still making his name in the United States.

A bonus is that the actor could, if he wished, spend half his life jetting to Dr Who conferences, enjoying the drinks and the adulation. He has done this a number of times, although the adulation for the Dr can wear thin.

At home, Tom Baker is still constantly recognised as Dr Who. Just before this interview, he says he was ringed by secretaries wanting his autograph. Naturally, then all received a photograph too.

The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 previews from Wednesday.

In the shadow of the Doctor

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