Interviews

20 Questions With…Sam Kane

Soap star Sam Kane, currently starring in a major UK tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, describes himself as an ex jobbing singer, Everton fan and all-round ordinary guy who loves old-fashioned musicals and Bond baddies.


Sam Kane is best known for his soap opera roles as philandering hairdresser Peter Phelan in Brookside and, earlier this year, as an internet-lurking paedophile in Coronation Street.

However, Kane’s enviable TV profile belies a wealth of stage experience and a background as a “jobbing singer”. His stage credits include major revivals of classic musicals including South Pacific, Carousel, and currently, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, in which he leads the cast as head of the American Wild West household, Adam Pontipee.

Kane has also appeared as a vocalist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and has presented a variety of TV shows. He is married to actress Linda Lusardi and has two children.


Date & place of birth
Born in Whiston (just outside Liverpool) on 30 November 1968.

Now lives in…
Hertfordshire

Trained at
Liverpool Theatre School

First big break
Brookside in 1996. Until Brookie, I was just a jobbing singer. When I left college, I was predominantly a singer because it was just easier to make a living that way — £50 or £100 a night was better than a week. I did the cruises, the clubs – you name it, I did it. Mind you, it was dreadful at first. I now try to mix both acting and singing. To be truthful, I find acting less strenuous.

Career highlights
It has to be Brookside because that was what made me a ‘face’. Funnily enough, one of the most stimulating experiences was touring in South Pacific. I was only in the chorus, but I learnt such a lot from the rest of the company, particularly real pros like Gemma Craven. I used to watch the company and try to pick up as many tips as possible. I was just like a sponge, I still am I guess. In this business, you’re always learning.

Favourite co-star
I’ve got to say Linda (Lusardi), and not just because she’s my wife! We have played together in panto and other shows. We work so well together, and she’s a real professional. She’s also my best friend and is a joy to work with. I love how she treats other actors and how well they respond to her on stage.

Favourite actor
I am very influenced by the movies. Christopher Walken, for example, has a great presence. So has Anthony Hopkins. Acting is about what sort of person you really are, and how you perceive things yourself. I have learned such a lot from Linda. We’ve been together seven years now.

Favourite stage production
Carousel was one of the best. I played the villain, Jigger Craigin, opposite Darren Day, although I also understudied Darren and played for him several times. That was a wonderful experience for me, seeing both sides of the show. If you’re brought up on the movie then it’s difficult to realise what a dark story it is. It has many layers and was way ahead of its time. At the end, it also makes audiences feel good about the characters and about themselves. Working with Darren was a nightmare, though. He is just so funny and a great impressionist. In one crucial scene between u,s he fed me a serious line as Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge. I fell apart.

What role would you most like to play still?
When I was doing Coronation Street, I fell in love with playing ‘bad’. It was just wonderful to take on a sinister role, so I would now love to be offered a Bond baddie! I try and look at myself realistically. When I first came on the scene, people perceived that I was better looking than I am. I do not have classical good looks and I felt I was being put up for the wrong roles. I suppose I am, in reality, a character actor.


Do you prefer working on stage or television?
TV is less stressful and so, in that respect, I prefer it. You can also play back your performance and learn from it. I also enjoy the pressure of the schedule. If you can’t cope with it, you’re out on your ear.


How did you enjoy playing a paedophile in Coronation Street?
I came in quite late to the show. It was a very strong story line and, when I played it back, I actually cried! What I really wanted to achieve in the character was a balance between good and bad. I tried to show that this man had a sensitive and sympathetic side. Playing the part really brought home to me the nature of the Internet and its lack of policing. The story was about a kid attracting the attention of a mature man in a chat room. I thought about my own children (Jack, 5, and Lucy, 2) and how they could get into this situation. Porn magazines have a top shelf and TV has a watershed but the Internet…? I gave interviews about that part because I wanted to say something about the inherent dangers.

What’s the best thing currently on stage (not including your own production)?

Linda and I are always promising to go to the theatre more often, but I guess we’re no different to other people in the business so we don’t go as often as we’d like. Recently, however, we went to the National to see All My Sons. What a wonderful play and a wonderful story! The acting was superb. We loved it. My ambition is to work at the National. The ensemble work there is second to none and is something every actor should strive for.

How important do you feel it is to play the West End?
Of course, my burning ambition at college was to play the West End, although recently, for me at least, it has lost some of its mystique. I’m not particularly enamoured with what is going on at the moment. The West End still has a certain cachet, but for me, theatre out of London is just as important. Then again, tours have changed. When I was touring in South Pacific, a minimum three-week run at one venue was the norm. Now we’re expected to play more dates all over the country at a week a time. I suppose this is commercial reality. Maybe fewer people are going to the theatre, and there are so many more distractions with TV, videos, DVD, the internet, and so on. I suspect audiences now demand entertainment in their own home rather than make the effort to go out. It’s a bit sad actually.

What advice would you give the government to secure the future of British theatre?

I’m essentially non-political, but I like to think I know right from wrong. I think the theatre should try and support itself. In years gone by, shows lived or died by whether people wanted to pay and go and see them. Acting is not about saving lives, it’s just about entertaining people although audience expectations are much higher now. So I suppose I believe that government money should primarily be placed where it can do the most good.

Favourite book

One of the problems about touring is that I get extremely bored. So I try and read as much as possible. I love escapist entertainment and really enjoy Stephen King, although I recently read all the Harry Potter books. I try and justify this because of my kids but really, I just enjoy them!

Favourite football team
Why, Everton of course!

What attracted you to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers?
It really is one of my favourite musicals – it has so much energy. It’s also the first show in which I’m headlining, so there’s a lot on my shoulders. I’ve tried to bring to the part of Adam Pontipee a lot of humour. The company is fabulous and I’m very comfortable with the way the production is developing. It is wonderful playing in a show that the audience have good feelings about when they come in. Cutting edge theatre is fine, but audiences also like to see comfortable, safe shows which they know they’re going to enjoy when the walk through the lobby. The power of nostalgia is very strong, and it makes people feel good. I may be old-fashioned but I think audiences should have a good time in the theatre.

What challenges does touring present?
Touring is part of the business and I’m really pleased to see how many top shows are now playing the provinces. Everyone deserves to see quality theatre and not just audiences in London. Seven Brides is touring for eight months although I’m only contracted to Christmas. Last year I toured with Darren Day in Carousel. It was a wonderful show but a long tour. My family life is the most important thing to me and, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind if I never had to work again. I could easily spend 24 hours a day with Linda and the children. I love acting but you have to put it into perspective. It’s a job, and you have to put bread on the table for your family. I’ve had offers to do great shows like Les Mis, Blood Brothers and so on, but I try to be careful about how much time I spend away from home. Next year I’d like to do more TV and work from my base.

Do you consider yourself a “luvvie”?

Acting is about putting bread on the table. I’m just a regular guy, brought up on a council estate and from a big family. No, I don’t think I’m a luvvie!

Sam Kane was talking to Stephen Gilchrist



This revival ofSeven Brides for Seven Brothers, originally opened in Bromley in August 2001, continues on a major UK-wide tour through to June 2002. Sam Kane stars in the production until December 2001.