EXCLUSIVE!!!!

 

RICHARD GIBSON

 

Richard Gibson, born on January 1. 1954 in Kampala, Uganda, came to England in 1964 at the age of ten. He studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England. In 1971 Richard made his debut as Marcus in the movie ‘The Go-Between’. That same year he also could be seen as Sunning in the mini-series ‘Tom Brown’s Schooldays’. He could be admired in 1973 as the young Tony in the movie ‘England Made Me’. In 1977 Richard appeared as Edward Beverley in the TV series "The Children of the New Forest". He played in 1978 a role in the mini-series ‘Secret Diaries’. In 1979, Richard played the role of Paul Graham in the TV series "Park Ranger". He could be seen in 1980 as Colin Wainwright in the TV series "Wainwright's Law". In 1981 Richard had a part in the mini-series ‘My Father’s House’. From 1982 he was seen for eight seasons as Herr Otto Flick in the TV series "’Allo ‘Allo!". In 1983 Richard could be admired as Ralph in the mini-series ‘The Coral Island’. He played in 1985 a role in the TV movie ‘The Key to Rebecca’. Then Richard toured with the group of "’Allo ‘Allo!" in various theaters and had successful tours both in the UK and abroad. He was at the stage version of the show, able to demonstrate that he was proficient in playing the violin. In 2000 Richard starred in the TV movie ‘St. Patrick: The Irish Legend’. He played in 2003 a guest role in the Doctor Who audio drama Flip-Flop. In 2004, Richard played a role in the TV movie ‘Omagh’. He was in 2006 a regular guest at the World Cup Pubcast of The Daily Telegraph, where he usually took on the role of Herr Flick. In 2010, Richard appeared as Rik Shaw in the movie ‘Punk Strut: The Movie’. Due to the continuing popularity of "’Allo! ‘Allo!", Kim Hartman and Richard have made numerous cabaret performances, using songs and sketches in character. In 2012 they traveled as guest speakers on the ships of Fred Olsen, Boudicca and Balmoral, to the Canary Islands and the Amazon. Richard also played a wide range of roles on stage and works as a radio actor, screenwriter and voice-over artist. He had guestappearances in TV series such as "Hadleigh", "Poldark", "Penmarric", "ITV Playhouse", "The Upper Hand" and "Toast of London". Perry from Moov.nl talked to Richard Gibson because of an interview for the website.

 

001.You act in TV series ("Allo" Allo!" from 1982), movies (‘Punk Strut: The Movie’ from 2010), does theater, are a radio actor, screenwriter and

       voice-over artist. If you have to make a choice from all your activities that you prefer, what would this be then?

       In that case I go for the acting. Whether it is to act in a TV series, movies or in the theater, I don't care. I enjoy all the different working methods.

002.You sometimes hear that every character that an actor or actress plays something contains of itself. Can you name both an agreement and

       a big difference in terms of character trait between yourself and Herr Otto Flick from "’Allo ‘Allo!" from 1982?

       I don't think that needs to be special. Herr Otto Flick's character was fictional. He and me themselves are therefore not alike at all. There is no "’Allo

       ‘Allo!" – character that most closely resembles the real Richard Gibson.

003.At what point in your career are you most proud and/or are you keeping the best memories?

       I am actually proud of all my projects from my entire career. It is so, I am proud of the project that I am currently working on. So I simply can’t make a

       choice.

004.How do you look back on your collaboration with John Louis Mansi, who plays the role of Herr Engelbert von Smallhausen in the TV series

       "’Allo ‘Allo!"?

       John appeared from the third season in the series and unlike Herr Flick to Herr von Smallhausen, we were fine with each other. Unfortunately John

       died on 6 August 2010 at the age of 83. The interaction with Kim (Hartman) between Helga and Herr Flick in the first two seasons, I liked just as

       much as when John in his role of Herr von Smallhausen was added once. My life has through the series changed in a good way.

005.The TV series "" Allo "Allo!" counted nine seasons. You yourself played the role of Herr Otto Flick for eight seasons. What was the reason

       that you left the series at the time?

       I started playing a role in another project. After "’Allo ‘Allo!" I never be seen again been in a comic TV role. Yet I would like that again, but then I have

       to play the right role. When I left from "’Allo ‘Allo!" I have watched the ninth season of it. David Janson who then played the role of Herr Otto Flick was

       in his role completely different than my Herr Flick. But I thought he was as good as the role as I self have played it. Today I am still in contact with

       Arthur Bostrom (Officer Crabtree), Kirsten Cooke (Michelle Dubois), John D. Collins (Flying Officer Fairfax), Nicholas Frankau (Flying Officer

       Carstairs), Francesca Gonshaw (Maria Recamier), Kim Hartman (Pvt. Helga Geerhart), Sue Hodge (Mimi La Bonque), Vicki Michelle (Yvette Carte-

       Blanche), Robin Parkinson (Monsieur Ernst LeClerc), Gavin Richards (Capt. Alberto Bertorelli) and Guy Siner (Lt. Hubert Gruber).

006.What can we expect from you in the area of showbiz in the future?

       There are some things in the planning, but unfortunately I cannot say anything about this.

 

For more information about Richard Gibson, visit http://www.richardgibsonactor.com.

 

Interview: Perry Krootjes