There’s a rare opportunity to see the very talented director of Platform Musicals and plays, Andrew Hodgson, take to the stage himself. No doubt in preparation for his role as Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady later this year. he’ll be appearing, along with a cavalcade of other well known names, at the Headgate Theatre in Colchester this Sunday, March 25, for Platform’s Ivor Novello - his life and music concert. Raising money to support the work of Crohn’s and Colitis UK, tickets are available by calling the box office on 01206 366000.

What or who got you interested in theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?

From about the age of five, my parents used to take me to see Colchester Operatic Society’s productions at the old Playhouse (later ABC) Theatre, and I regularly went to the Colchester Repertory Theatre in the High Street. I saw everything from Pantos to farces, thrillers, Shakespeare and modern dramas, it was wonderful. It’s a tragedy that the old Rep system has disappeared, I learned so much from watching those productions every fortnight! The first role I played was the Mayor in the “The Pied Piper” at Hamilton Primary School aged ten. I also directed my first play there aged 11.

Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in the theatre?

No not at all, but my parents were wonderful in supporting my love of theatre and cinema.

Who is the most inspiring person you’ve worked with and why?

It has to be the late John Godfrey, my drama teacher and friend from Sir Charles Lucas School. He was a hugely talented and enthusiastic teacher and director and I learned all the fundamentals about putting on a production from him.

What formal training have you done?

I trained as a Drama Teacher at Middlesex University based at Trent Park in London. I later gained an M.A. in Contemporary Theatre at Essex University.

What experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your career to date?

That’s very difficult but if I had to choose then I would say directing the amateur premiere of Abigail’s Party for the Orpen Players in West Bergholt in 1979, and also getting to meet Alison Steadman the original Beverley who gave me so much help and advice. Most recently, directing my hero Stephen Sondheim’ s Sunday in the Park with George for Platform at the Headgate Theatre was an incredible challenge,and we had an amazing response to it.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

Launching into Act 3 dialogue of Noel Coward’s Hayfever, during Act 1. The lines were so similar but the actress playing Judith Bliss eventually saved the day.

What role would you most like to play and why?

I’m just about to fulfil an ambition and play Colonel Pickering in Platform’s forthcoming production of My Fair Lady, which takes place at the Headgate Theatre in July. Its directed by Kerry King and we have an amazing cast so I can’t wait for that. Also its one of the greatest musicals of all time.

Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?

I was in a pantomime, Babes in the Wood and for reasons I won’t go into, the prompt’s plastered leg was sticking out from the very limited wing space, disguised as a log in the wood. Need I say more?

Any big plans for the future?

It’s Platform’s 25th anniversary next year so I hope to direct a musical version of Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities and direct Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus for Headgate Theatre Productions.