Matthew Perry in "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" in London

[Alvin and My Sheepdog Rex]

Posted: 6/11/03 at 8:13am

The following is from an interview with Matthew Perry in Newsweek this week:

On hiatus from Friends, Matthew Perry is making his stage debut in London playing a snide seducer in David Mamet's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago." The show is a surprise hit, proving that the Brits adore Chandler Bing almost as much as they do Prince William. Newsweek's Sean Smith chatted with Perry backstage just before curtain.

Q: You just broke the record for advance ticket sales in London theater history. How'd that happen?

Matthew: That is just insane. I had no real idea of the success. I was just trying to learn my lines and not vomit in the wings.

Q: In fact, you broke the record set by Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith in "Breath of Life." You kicked the asses of two of the greatest lights in British theater!

Matthew: Yeah! Last night they showed up, and I did that literally. When you're fighting Judi Dench, you have to go to the body.

Q: Friends is huge there. So is the play a hit because you're in it - or will Brits see anything with "sexual perversity" in the title?

Matthew: (Laughs) I think people will see anything with me a sexual perversity in the title. You know, the play is a brutual look at relationships. It's very raunchy, chaotic view, which is startling to some London audiences.

Q: It's been almost 30 years since Mamet wrote this play. In your experience, have relationships between men and women changed much?

Matthew: Well, my character isn't allowed to go up to women and say, "Hi, I'm on Friends'. Wanna go out?" So that makes it, uh, harder.

Q: Speaking of Friends, this will be your last season. Are you ready to let it go?

Matthew: It's definitely going to be sad. But I think it's time to be done. When the universe shuts a door, another one opens somewhere, or it's your job to find out where that is. One of the wonderful things about this experience is that I've realized I love acting on the stage.

Q: So Dames Dench and Smith should be worried. Is there anything they could beat you at?

Matthew: (Laughs) They're absolutey brilliant. I could beat them at tennis, maybe, and that's about it.

[Eleven]

Posted: 6/11/03 at 9:30am

If he could sing and dance Matthew would make a great Leo Bloom in The Producers.

[JakeB]

Posted: 6/11/03 at 1:27pm

Yes, I can see that totally.

I'm seeing Sexual Perversity in Chicago in July, I'll post my review after.

Jake.

Posted: 6/11/03 at 2:42pm

I saw a pic in the national enquirer or whatever mag it was and it was matthew and this lady nude in bed. eww, wierd, you're gonna see chandler bing nude. lol (hey look for his superfluous third nipple!! ) Oh, that's only chandler, not matthew, lol

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/11/03 at 5:17pm

I really think Eric McCormack is the perfect Leo Bloom. He was offered the role when Broderick was leaving but turned it down because his wife was in the last weeks of her pregnancy and he felt is was his place to be with her in LA. I have this information directly from TAMrMcC.

Posted: 6/11/03 at 6:22pm

I saw Eric in Music Man at the Hollywood Bowl, he was wuite good actually! Good perforer, great singer.

[Alvin and My Sheepdog Rex]

Posted: 6/11/03 at 6:35pm

I think Eric McCormack would be a wonderful Leo Bloom. I do however believe he would need to have a Max Bialystock of equal stature.