Shucked is "just about everything you could want from a rustic, playful musical", said our reviewer, Stuart King, on his visit. Today, Keith Ramsay joins London Box Office to tell us a little bit more about the London debut of this beloved Broadway hit, which plays for a limited time at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
Keith Ramsay. Headshot provided by production.
You are starring in the UK premiere of Shucked at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. For those who are not familiar with the story, can you tell us what the show is about?
Of course! Shucked is the farm-to-fable tale of Cobb County! When the corn that surrounds the community starts to die, heroine Maizy goes in search of answers and returns with a conman (Gordy) vying for her affections, who convinces her and everyone else that he can fix the corn; and chaos ensues!?
You play the character of Peanut. Tell us about them and what his involvement is in the main thread of the storyline?
Peanut is a town prophet of sorts, I believe! He punctuates the show with these beautiful witticisms and observations of the world that are often humorous but also wise and judicious. Whilst helping his brother and the community make sense of their relationships with each other- he also has a lot to say that’s perceptive and insightful as well as being bonkers and fantastical.
What was your first impression of the role when you read the script, and has it changed since you’ve been performing it?
My first impression was that he was an interesting and ultimately open-hearted and curious soul. Rehearsing it has been a great pleasure and he’s been a very joyous piece of the puzzle to figure out and contextualise within the story. I’ve also loved understanding his reality and humanity amidst all the zippy one-liners.
Shucked is being performed at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre as opposed to an indoor theatre space. Do you think this has an impact on how the show works and will be received by audiences?
I do! I think the piece sits so beautifully and singularly in Regent’s Park. The theatre and its surroundings offer up a really punchy sense of specificity that lends not only a sense of occasion to the telling of the story but also the immediacy of birds, planes, car alarms and of course the weather (!) - all of which really speak to the eccentricity of the show and its characters.
Aside from its humour and the delicacy of the story, the music is epic and hearing it performed in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre feels kinda rock & roll.
There are some brilliant original songs in this musical. Do you have a particular favourite and why?
There are. They’re all bangers in their own way but there’s a duet between Maizy and Lulu in Act 2 called ‘Best Friends’ that’s currently my favourite. It’s an amazing moment of stillness when two characters sing about their friendship to each other that I believe is really special and moving in its simplicity.
What is it about Shucked that you are most excited for audiences to experience?
So many things! It’s hilariously funny in a way that I think harks back to British variety and comedy whilst paying homage to quintessential musical-theatre Americana. The score is beautiful! The venue! And truly an amazingly assembled cast of clowns - all of whom bring their own spirit to it in a very unique way that should not be missed!
If you could play another character in the show, who would you like to play and why?
There’s a puppet chicken in the show that’s used for a brief moment. I think I’d want to be the chicken. Just to experience what it might be like to be a chicken, if for a moment…
Finally, why should people watch Shucked?
It’s a tonic. Besides being an uproariously funny piece of theatre, it also tells the story of a community and the importance of being there for each other and how to navigate your place in the world. That aside, it’s wild and dotty and a bloody great comedy musical that will guarantee you a great night out at the theatre!
Shucked plays at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until 14 June.
