On this week’s show (Friday 22sd October), Graham Norton welcomes Oscar winner Eddie redmayne, Irish actress Jessie buckley, actor and writer Etienne Marchand, Strictly Star Motsi Mabuse, and national treasure Sir Ian McKellen, with music by Elton john and Charlie puth.
Eddie and Jessie discuss their new West End show Cabaret.
When asked how the musical is different from the movie and the previous stage show, Eddie said, “They’re both beautiful and amazing, but Jessie and I love the musical, so we decided on the study in a different way. It is truly immersive for the public, we really have the impression of being in the Kit Kat Club in Berlin.
Jessie adds, “It’s been so much fun, and the company is amazing, the director is amazing and Eddie is doing great!”
Eddie, speaking about his grandmother, said: “She’s almost 100 and can’t come and see the show, so I went to her retirement home with the karaoke version of the musical and performed it all. for herself the parts of Jessie. She definitely fell – she said she closed her eyes because she enjoyed it so much!
Jessie, talking about her next movie The lost girl, in which she plays the younger version of Olivia Colman’s character, admits, “We had such a great time, but we never really worked together. We had a four day crossing and we were drinking Pink and have a huge song, which was great until it was six o’clock and you had to go to work!
Motsi, speaking of Strictly and his fellow judges, said: “We all have so much fun with Anton and I’m really happy he’s here.”
Asked about same-sex couples and applicants with disabilities, she said: “It’s wonderful to see the show open up and be so inclusive and I’m glad it evolves over time.”
When asked cheekily about her sister Oti who won two of the three shows she judged, she jokes: “Yes, I have everything planned! Funny people think I have the power for this, but not yet! I actually don’t watch her, I focus on the fame so I don’t feel bad, but after the show I could say to her, ‘Not bad’ or ‘Well done!’ “
Stephen, talking about his new BBC series Outlaws, and when asked about working with Christopher Walken, he said: “I never thought for a moment growing up in Bristol that one day I would do TV and sit with the Oscar winner of The deer hunter. It was one of those incredibly surreal experiences.
Describing his role on the show, he jokes, “I really stretched myself. I’m playing a gangly middle-aged nerd – you might as well have BAFTA on the phone now because it’s a hell of a performance! “
Ian, revealing a bald head and talking about his new play, The cherry orchard, said: “I play a very old man so shaved off my hair – eat your heart Patrick Stewart!” Joking about his role as an elderly servant, he says, “This is the role you usually play at the end of your career.
Recalled that he just played the rather young role of Hamlet, he said, “The funny thing is when I was doing that I was going up and down the stairs and I felt like a violin. Now, I play an old man, I leave the stage hurting myself all over the place!
Revealing that when he needs to cheer himself up, he watches the episode of Supplements in which it appeared, he says, “It’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever had to learn and play – laughs are falling on you because of the way it was written. When I look at him, I laugh! ”
Stephen, intervenes, “It was one of my proudest moments. It was my first time working with an actor of Ian’s caliber – it was a joy.
In a pre-recorded segment, Elton John and Charlie Puth perform After all from Elton’s new album Containment sessions.
When asked if he had intended to produce an album while in lockdown, Elton replied, “No, not at all, I wasn’t going to do anything! Charlie asked me to do it and when I was back in England other people wanted to do songs and it only grew until I had the germ of an album.
Revealing that Elton had given him some advice, Charlie said, “He wrote at the beginning of his autobiography, ‘Charlie, don’t do any of this!'”
When asked if he would be returning on tour soon, Elton replied, “This leg of the tour has been postponed because my leg is not working – I need a hip replacement. Hope that in a few months I will be looking forward to going back.
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more reckless spectators brave enough to sit in The Big Red Chair.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 22sd October and available on BBC iPlayer.
Next week (29e October) Graham’s guests include Dame Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Salma Hayek Tinie Tempah and Jesy Nelson.
Photo by Graham Norton: BBC / So Television / Christophe Baines