Essential Writers > Essential Words > Writer and performer Charles Ross shares his strategy for turning a classic into a comedy

Writer and performer Charles Ross shares his strategy for turning a classic into a comedy

Posted by Gina Dyer
July 16, 2009
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© Nancy Santos

© Nancy Santos

Canadian writer and actor Charles Ross made his Edinburgh Fringe debut in 2006 with One Man Star Wars Trilogy. The show was a sell-out success, and led to Charles touring the world, performing his Star Wars show over 1,200 times in more than 180 cities across four continents. He returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this August with the follow up, One Man Lord Of The Rings, which has already won awards at the Toronto Fringe Festival and the Saskatoon Fringe Festival.

What inspired you to become a performer?

It’s the only thing that ever came naturally to me. I’m not good at anything else.

Did you face much rejection initially?

Right out of college I definitely spent more time auditioning than acting. It was a challenge to get noticed around the theatre “scene”. I moved around the country a lot for the work, which wasn’t something everyone else was willing to do. There was always the risk of missing out on a potentially higher profile job when you’re away. It was during one of these remote gigs that I first tried my Star Wars show.

What inspired you to write One Man Star Wars Trilogy?

During the auditioning years I wrote a lot and tried to be more proactive. The audition circuit kind of sucks and people get sick of seeing your face. I felt a lot like Luke Skywalker hoping for greater things while being stuck in a self-perpetuating funk. I was in danger of turning into a feathered haired whiner.

The Star Wars show was one of many things I “wrote”, but unlike some of my original pieces, One Man Star Wars had a certain ring to it that made it super easy to sell and sustain.

What do you think made it such a worldwide success?

The popular tie-in and the nerdy/sexy concept. If you can’t sell Star Wars, you’re useless.

What made you decide to follow that up with One Man Lord Of The Rings?

I loved the books and films - they’re epic - plus they cover much of the same hero’s journey thematic ground as Star Wars. It’s a trilogy, so structurally they’re the same. To me and TJ, my director, it was fairly much a no-brainer.

How did you go about transforming JRR Tolkein’s classic into a 3,600-second comedy?

This was the strategy: Think of yourself as having to convey the story to someone by using only lines from the films. Work from memory. Don’t try to transpose it off of the screen while you watch it.

Whatever you can recall off the top of your head is what the average person can remember and most of the audience will be average LOTR fans. Get the bare bones down on paper; don’t fuss over the minute details.

The details come from the designers, the actors, the director, and obviously JRR Tolkien himself. When it comes down actually to standing on your feet to rehearse it the richness is already there and it’s yours to savour.

How do you think Tolkein would have reacted to your interpretation of his work?

I don’t know. He’d probably say I should get a job.

How does writing compare to performing?

It’s quite solitary. More solitary than performing a one person show.

How do audiences tend to differ between the UK and Canada?

I find the UK to be generally more theatre savvy. Some people will come see the show for its theatrical significance rather than because they’re rabid Lord of the Rings fans.

What do you find the most challenging aspects of writing a show?

I have problems cutting out lame jokes. I cling to obscure jokes with the misguided belief that eventually they’ll garner show-stopping results, which they never do.

What do you enjoy most about the process?

Watching the films and reading the books. It’s during this is the time when the pressure is off that unforced spontaneous observations happen. .

Whose writing do you admire?

Many different writers. I’ve loved Harold Pinter’s plays since the first time I read one. I never feel like I’m a qualified judge of “writing”, though. There are so many better writers you should be asking that question to.

What inspires you?

Honesty.

How would you describe your writing style?

Simple.

Where do you carry out the majority of your writing?

In a pokey little office I built in my house. Unfortunately, a swarm of bees have built a hive in the ceiling, so there’s always the danger of being stung to death when I’m working in there. It’s a pretty good justification for procrastinating.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Aside from the thrill of actually having a career, New Zealand was pretty damned amazing. Also performing in New York and London was a definite milestone.

What advice would you offer an aspiring writer?

Write and write and find a way to share it on your own terms. Make sure you’re bullet-proof and yet open to good feedback.

Spend some time writing in public places with a pad of paper (leave the laptop at home), even if you feel like a tool while doing it. I’ve found that there’s less stress to produce anything but drivel.

Also, write an actual letter to someone- not an e-mail- a LETTER- even if you never mail it.

What are you working on at the moment?

An article for Canadian Theatre Review magazine. I’ve also been trying to get another lofty project going. I won’t get too much into it because there’s the danger than my mentioning it in this interview will be the only light of day it sees. That would be sad.

Charles will perform One Man Lord Of The Rings at the Edinburgh Fringe from August 6th-16th 2009. Tickets are available from the box office on 0844 545 8252 or www.underbelly.co.uk

For further information, visit www.onemanlotr.com


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