Watch interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=g_Op20AnxIE
On an average sort of day,
I walked to the shop in a simple kind of way,
With less than a kick in my step,
I didn’t jump, or smile, or flex.
I walk around, staring at the clothes,
When all and behold,
I see a call from my mobile phone,
It reads “Cat: Incoming Call.”
So we swap ‘hellos and pleasantries,
With a laugh and joke,
But more seriously she phones to tell me,
I have been chosen in a draw,I’m interviewing McFly on Friday,
Who would have known? As soon as I found out that I had an interview slot with McFly ahead of their gig at the CIA on 22 March, I was so excited – as you can imagine, I was also instantly nervous.Although I can’t call myself a superfan, I couldn’t make an early Noughties playlist without this band – I was so very tempted to put five colours in my hair for the interview! It didn’t go completely smoothly though, I was running nearly 20 minutes later than planned and, to top it all off, I hadn’t a clue where Cardiff Library (our meeting point) was!
I was so worried that I jotted down 36 questions on Post-It notes on the train down to save time. Turns out, I worried for no reason; I got to Cardiff at 4.30pm, and found out the interview wasn’t until 6pm .. Oh well! When I found Cardiff Library (which was surprisingly easy; it’s right by the station) I met with Ryan from CLIC and Dayana from ProMo-Cymru, and was introduced to the other competition winners Holly and Scott.
Together we went over the questions and Holly got a lesson in recording equipment – Lights, Camera, Action! 101. Scott, in his very photographer-esque manner, toyed over which lens and light would give the best quality shots. And of course, as a professional, he favours film! The walk over to the CIA was anxious to say the least – as we approached there were fans outside, knowing the band had an interview (Kudos to them for standing in the cold for well over an hour!) We sat down and waited as McFly were late due to, we found out later, being attacked by a mob of fans (oh, the trials and tribulations of rockstars, eh?)
We were then greeted by Charley from Live Nation and taken to a room to compose ourselves. Of course, the rehearsal of Thomas The Tank Engine Live taking place inside did help break the atmosphere! As we were called in, there they were, all sat down chatting casually – Me and Holly were nervous wrecks, but they do this every day; they were having fun. Scott got his shots and I sat down, about two feet away from Tom Fletcher! The camera started and I began to mutter the questions.
About ten minutes later I was completely at ease: they were so funny and lighthearted, which created a friendly vibe. We quickly got some stuff signed and as they tackled each other to the floor, laughing, we said our goodbyes.
Sitting at home later that night was just surreal – listening to “Shine a Light” the next day just felt so different than it did before! I’d like to thank CLIC, ProMo-Cymru, Live Nation, the boys of McFly and of course, good ol’ Lady Luck for giving me, Holly and Scott this opportunity, and I can’t wait for the next interview (Hint, hint!)
We’ll get Scott’s photos up on our new Gallery as soon as they’re ready. In the meantime, watch the video at the top of this article and check out our YouTube channel for more interviews with McFly!
McFly play the Cardiff International Arena on Tuesday 22 March. Tickets (£14 – £28.50) are available from the box office (029 2022 4488) or online at Live Nation.
www.mcflyofficial.com
http://supercity.mcfly.com/hub
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Yn Gymraeg
Ar ddiwrnod eithaf normal,
Cerddais i’r siop mewn ffordd eithaf syml,
Gyda llai na chic yn fy ngham,
Dim neidio, na gwen, na fflecs.
Dwi’n cerdded o gwmpas, yn syllu ar y dillad,
Pan allan o unlle,
Dwi’n gweld galwad ar fy ffôn symudol,
Mae’n dweud “Cat: Incoming Call.”
Rydym yn dweud helo ac ati,
Gyda chwardd a jôc,
Ond yn fwy difrifol mae hi’n ffonio i ddweud,
Dwi wedi cael fy newis mewn cystadleuaeth,
Dwi’n cyfweld McFly dydd Gwener,
Pwy fyddai wedi dyfalu?
Cyn gynted y clywais fod gen i slot cyfweld efo McFly, roeddwn i wedi cynhyrfu – fel medri di ddychmygu, roeddwn i hefyd yn nerfus yn syth.
Er nad allwn i alw fy hun yn siwper ffan, ni fyddwn yn gallu creu rhestr chwarae cychwyn y ganrif hon heb y band yma – roeddwn i wedi’n nhemtio i roi pum lliw yn fy ngwallt ar gyfer y cyfweliad! Ond aeth pethau ddim yn hollol esmwyth, roeddwn i bron yn 20 munud yn hwyr ac, ar ben bob dim, nid oedd gen i glem lle’r oedd Llyfrgell Caerdydd! (ein man cyfarfod)
Roeddwn i’n poeni cymaint fel fy mod wedi nodi 36 o gwestiynau ar bapurau Post-It ar y trên er mwyn arbed amser. Ond roeddwn i wedi poeni heb reswm yn y diwedd; cyrhaeddais Gaerdydd am 4:30yp, a darganfod nad oedd y cyfweliad tan 6yh.. O wel! Pan ddois o hyd i Lyfrgell Gaerdydd (ac roedd hyn yn hawdd iawn; mae reit wrth ochr yr orsaf) cwrddais â Ryan o CLIC a Dayana o ProMo-Cymru, a chael fy nghyflwyno i enillwyr eraill y gystadleuaeth, Holly a Scott.
Gyda’n gilydd aethom dros y cwestiynau a cafodd Holly wers gyda’r offer recordio – Golau, Camera, Action! 101. Roedd Scott, yn ei ddull ffotograffwr, yn ceisio dewis pa lens a golau byddai’n rhoi’r lluniau gorau. Ac wrth gwrs, fel un proffesiynol, yn ffafrio ffilm! Roedd y daith drosodd i’r CIA yn un pryderus i ddweud y lleiaf – wrth i ni agosáu roedd ffans y tu allan, yn gwybod fod gan y band gyfweliad (kudos iddynt am sefyll allan yn yr oerni am bell dros awr!) Eisteddom a disgwyl gan fod McFly yn hwyr oherwydd, fel darganfuwyd wedyn, ymosodiad gan dorf o ffans (y treial a thrallod o fod yn seren roc ynte?)
Cawsom ein cwrdd gan Charley o Live Nation a aeth a ni i mewn i ystafell i ni gael ein hunain yn barod. Wrth gwrs, doedd yr ymarferiad o Thomas The Tank Live oedd yn digwydd yno ddim yn helpu torri’r awyrgylch! Wrth i ni gael ein galw i mewn, dyna le’r oedden nhw i gyd, yn eistedd i lawr ac yn sgwrsio’n hamddenol – roedd Holly a fi yn nerfus dros ben, ond maen nhw’n gwneud hyn bob dydd; roeddent yn cael hwyl. Tynnodd Scott ei luniau ac eisteddais i lawr, tua 2 droedfedd i ffwrdd o Tom Fletcher! Cychwynnodd y camera fideo a dechreuaisi fwmblan y cwestiynau.
Tua 10 munud wedyn roeddwn wedi ymlacio’n llwyr: roeddent mor ddoniol ac ysgafn, yn creu feib cyfeillgar. Cawsom ychydig o stwff wedi’u harwyddo ac wrth iddynt daclo ei gilydd i’r llawr, yn chwerthin, dywedom hwyl fawr.
Roedd eistedd gartref yn hwyrach y noson honno yn swrreal – yn gwrando ar “Shine a Light” y diwrnod wedyn yn teimlo cymaint gwahanol nag yr oedd cynt! Hoffwn ddiolch i CLIC, ProMo-Cymru, Live Nation, hogiau McFly ac wrth gwrs, Boneddiges Lwc am roi’r cyfle hwn i fi, Holly a Scott, a ni allaf ddisgwyl am y cyfweliad nesaf (hint, hint!)
Byddwn yn rhoi lluniau Scott i fyny yn ein Galeri newydd pan fyddent yn barod. Yn y cyfamser, gwylia’r fideo ar frig yr erthygl yma a edrycha ar ein sianel YouTube am fwy o gyfweliadau McFly!
Bydd McFly yn chwarae yn Arena Ryngwladol Caerdydd ar ddydd Mawrth 22 Mawrth. Tocynnau (£14 – £28.50) ar gael o’r swyddfa docynnau (029 2022 4488) neu ar-lein ar Live Nation.
www.mcflyofficial.com
http://supercity.mcfly.com/hub
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R – L: Sabrina Carter, Martyn David, Sabrina Earnshaw and Catrin Southall
Marti Pellow
The Broadway hit Jekyll And Hyde, starring Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow, comes to the Wales Millennium Centre from the 4-9 July.
We were lucky enough to be invited to a Q&A session with Marti (Jekyll/Hyde), Sarah Earnshaw (Emma) and Sabrina Carter (Lucy) of the 2011 production, which is currently on a seven-month tour through the UK.
After a wonderful and powerful performance of In His Eyes by Sarah and Sabrina, the actresses sat down along with Marti in front of an audience armed with microphones.
The next hour gave us a true insight into both the show and the performers themselves. The show has been successful after touring America, and has now been adapted to suit a British audience.
Catrin Southall (Wicid.tv) asked them how they cared for their voices with so many performances, to which both Sarah and Sabrina offered wise words:
“As a singer, it’s important to sing every day. An athlete still trains every day, even if they don’t have a marathon that day, you’ve got to be the same as a singer. It’s a muscle, if you don’t use it, you lose it!”
Marti added: “Every singer knows their range, and as the girls said, we train our low, mid and high ranges before any performance for about ten minutes.” He let out an operatic note and jokingly teased Sabrina with, “Oh! I should have warmed up first!”
After the Q&A, we met up with Sarah and Sabrina for a more private interview. The pair met while working on the Broadway musical, Wicked, where they enjoyed a three-year run.
Wicid: What were your first performances?
Sarah: You’ve taken me back now. I was 3, and it was Miss Polly Had A Dolly. I won the gold medal for that!
Sabrina: Mine was at school as Sister Margherita in The Sound Of Music because I put my hand up fast! I’m convinced if I’d been a bit faster I would have gotten Liesl!
Wicid: If you could play any lead in any musical, what would it be?
Sarah: My Fair Lady.
Sabrina: Evita.
Wicid: So, any dirt on Marti?
Sarah: It’s a little too early to tell, but he’s quite animalistic, and he jokes a lot. There’s one scene where he pauses well… come see the show and you’ll see what I mean.
Sabrina: He does have a give away though – when he forgets his line, he goes cross-eyed.
Wicid: If you could live off any food forever, what would it be?
Sarah: That’s so hard! I think I’d pick a Sunday roast, because at least I’d have variety.
Sabrina: I’m not gonna lie, chips! Or, any kind of potato come to think of it.
After talking about other broadway shows, the beautiful score of Jekyll And Hyde and Sabrina’s role as a lady of the night, we wished them luck and gave everyone else a chance for pictures and to get things signed, as they’d be so patient.
Something I’ve always found with things you look forward to is you wait for what seems like forever, but it’s over in a flash! Eventually, though, it arrives.
I followed a reporter from Swansea Life into a room with Glaswegian Marti, where he warmly welcomed me with a smile and handshake, before we got down to the interview.
(Swansea Life Questions)
SL: Why were you drawn to the roles of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?
Marti: Well, I was approached by the writer of the score, who I’m a big fan of – I listened to the score with him and I fell in love with it. It did take some convincing even up to that point, and this show has been the result of around three years work. As for the character, I really enjoy juxaposition. Dr Jekyll wants to rid the world of evil, which makes him a fundamentally flawed character, with a darkness to him.
SL: What’s your favourite venue to perform in?
Marti: I look at the audience. If you treat your performance like groundhog day then it’s bound to get boring. I love a different audience and the show lends itself to talent, it’s very well structured, even down to the clothes.
SL: How did you find the transition between pop star and musical theatre performer?
Marti: It’s not a great change from singing to acting – I love acting. From finding the characters to really pushing them, I like to do my homework for my roles.
SL: Being in the spotlight must take it’s toll on your personal life?
Marti: Family is infinitely more important than your career, and I spend as much time as possible with my own.
SL: Do you still see the guys from Wet, Wet, Wet?
Marti: Oh yes, of course, we have a lot of history. We meet for dinner most of the time, but what you’ve got to understand is we formed in high school! Being with them was great, and what I enjoy about a career is longevity. Yes, we’ve had number ones and played at huge stadiums, but it’s more knowing that I can keep doing what I do that keeps me doing it, I hope my career stays.
SL: When did you first perform in Wales?
Marti: It was about 30 years ago, and I like performing in Wales. A Welsh and Scottish audience are very similar – they’re both passionate, about themselves and art.
(Wicid / CLIC Questions)
Wicid: If you could invite up to four people to a dinner party, who would they be?
Marti: Oh wow, um? I don’t know what to say, you young people won’t know these people probably! But, okay – David Niven, Audrey Hepburn, Peter Houston and Elvis, how’s that?
Wicid: Do you feel nervous about performing in the Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh, seeing as it’s your home country?
Marti: I’m nervous at all shows. I try to engage with the audience and their feelings. Good audiences equal good feelings.
Wicid: This month CLIC is all about inspiration, and Wicid.tv features a lot of creative writing. What advice would you give to our readers who are interested in pursuing this lifestyle and career?
Marti: What you’ve got to remember is, my big dream in Wet Wet Wet was shared by only four people. These days it’s shared by millions of fans. You’ve got to believe in your dreams with a passion. People tend to fall into their mundane lives instead. If you pursue your dreams, you’ll find stars, and then others will subscribe to that dream.
Inspiring words there from a true performer.
The show comes to the Wales Millenium Centre between the 4 and 9 July 2011 – I’m booking my tickets as an early birthday present to myself!
I’d like to thank Marti Pellow, Sarah Earnshaw and Sabrina Carter, as well as Meleri at the WMC, and good luck with the tour from Wicid.tv and CLIConline!
Check out www.jekyllandhydethemusical.com.
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Yn Gymraeg
Mae’r llwyddiant Broadway Jekyll And Hyde, yn serennu canwr y band Wet Wet Wet, Marti Pellow, yn dod i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru rhwng 4-9 Gorffennaf.
Roeddem yn lwcus iawn i gael gwadd i sesiwn cwestiwn ac ateb gyda Marti (Jekyll/Hyde), Sarah Earnshaw (Emma) a Sabrina Carter (Lucy) o’r cynhyrchiad 2011, sydd ar hyn o bryd ar daith saith mis dros Brydain.
Ar ôl perfformiad hyfryd a pwerus o In His Eyes gan Sarah a Sabrina, eisteddodd yr actorion wrth ochr Marti o flaen cynulleidfa arfog â meicroffonau.
Roedd yr awr nesaf yn fewnwelediad gwir i mewn i’r sioe a’r perfformwyr eu hunain. Mae’r sioe wedi bod yn llwyddiannus ar ôl teithio yn America, ac mae nawr wedi’i addasu i bwrpas cynulleidfa Brydeinig.
Gofynnodd Catrin Southall (Wicid.tv) sut roeddent yn gofalu am eu lleisiau gyda chymaint o berfformiadau, a chynigodd Sarah a Sabrina ychydig o eiriau call:
“Fel canwyr, mae’n bwysig canu bob dydd. Mae athletwyr dal i ymarfer bob sydd, hyd yn oed os nad oes ganddynt farathon y diwrnod yna, mae’n rhaid gwneud yr un peth fel canwr. Mae’n gyhyryn, os ti ddim yn defnyddio fo, ti’n ei golli!”
Ychwanegodd Marti: “Mae pob canwr yn gwybod ei amrediad, ac fel dywedodd y genethod, rydym yn ymarfer ein hamrediad isel, canolig ac uchel cyn unrhyw berfformiad am tua 10 munud.” Mae’n canu nodyn operatig ac yn profocio Sabrina gyda, “O! Ddylwn i wedi cynhesu lan gyntaf!”
Ar ôl y sesiwn cwestiwn ac ateb, cyfarfûm â Sarah a Sabrina am gyfweliad mwy preifat. Bu i’r ddwy gyfarfod wrth weithio ar y sioe gerdd Broadway, Wicked, ble mwynhawyd rhediad tair blynedd.
Wicid: Beth oedd eich perfformiadau goraf?
Sarah: Ti wedi mynd a fi yn ôl nawr. Roeddwn i’n 3, a Miss Polly Had A Dolly oedd o. Enillais fedal aur am hynny!
Sabrina: Roedd un fi yn yr ysgol fel Sister Margherita yn The Sound Of Music gan fod i wedi rhoi’n fraich i fyny yn sydyn! Dwi’n siŵr os byddwn i ychydig mwy sydyn byddwn i wedi cael Liesl!
Wicid: Os gallwch chi chwarae unrhyw brif ran mewn unrhyw Sioe Gerdd, beth fyddai hwnnw?
Sarah: My Fair Lady.
Sabrina: Evita.
Wicid: Felly, unrhyw faw am Marti?
Sarah: Mae ychydig yn rhy fuan i ddweud, ond mae’n eithaf anllad, ac mae’n chwerthin lot. Mae yna un olygfa ble mae’n seibio a wel… dewch i weld y sioe a chewch weld beth dwi’n feddwl.
Sabrina: Ond mae ganddo un peth mae’n wneud – pan mae’n anghofio ei linell, mae ei lygaid yn mynd yn groes.
Wicid: Os gallwch chi fyw ar un bwyd yn unig am byth, beth fyddai hwnnw?
Sarah: Mae hynna mor anodd! Byddwn i’n dewis rhost dydd Sul, o leiaf bydd gen i amrywiaeth.
Sabrina: Dwi ddim am ddweud celwydd, sglodion! Neu, unrhyw fath o datws wedi meddwl.
Ar ôl siarad am sioeau Broadway eraill, sgôr prydferth Jekyll And Hyde a rhan Sabrina fel putain. Dymunom bob lwc iddynt a rhoi cyfle i bawb arall gael lluniau ac arwyddo pethau, gan eu bod nhw mor amyneddgar.
Rhywbeth dwi’n wastad yn meddwl ydy dy fod yn disgwyl am oes am rywbeth ti’n edrych ymlaen ato, yna mae drosodd mewn fflach! Ond o’r diwedd, mae’n cyrraedd.
Dilynais ohebydd o Swansea Life i mewn i ystafell gyda Marti o Glasgow, lle croesawodd fi yn garedig gyda gwen ac ysgwyd llaw, cyn i ni gychwyn y cyfweliad.
(Cwestiynau Swansea Life)
SL: Pam oedd y rhannau Dr Jekyll a Mr Hyde yn apelio i ti?
Marti: Wel, cysylltodd y person oedd wedi ysgrifennu’r sgôr â fi, rhywun dwi’n ffan fawr ohono – gwrandawais ar y sgôr efo fo a disgyn mewn cariad gydag ef. Fe gymerodd ychydig o argyhoeddiad hyd yn oed at y pwynt yno, ac mae’r sioe yma yn ganlyniad o tua thair blynedd o waith. Efo’r cymeriad, dwi’n mwynhau’r cyfosodiad. Mae Dr Jekyll eisiau cael gwared â drygioni yn y byd, sydd yn ei wneud yn gymeriad gyda nam gwreiddiol, gyda thywyllwch iddo.
SL: Beth ydy’r man gorau i berfformio ynddo?
Marti: Dwi’n edrych ar y gynulleidfa. Os wyt ti’n trin dy berfformiad fel Groundhog Day yna byddet yn diflasu yn sydyn. Dwi wrth fy modd gyda gwahanol gynulleidfaoedd ac mae’r sioe yn benthyca ei hun i dalent, mae strwythur da iddo, i lawr at y dillad.
SL: Sut oedda’ ti’n gweld y trosiant o seren bop i berfformiwr theatr sioe gerdd?
Marti: Nid yw’n newid mawr o ganu a action – dwi wrth fy modd efo action. O ddarganfod y cymeriadau i wthio nhw o ddifrif, dwi’n hoffi gwneud fy ngwaith cartref am fy rhannau.
SL: Ydy bod o dan y sbotolau yn effeithio dy fywyd personol?
Marti: Mae teulu yn llawer mwy pwysig na dy yrfa, a dwi’n treulio cymaint o amser bosib gydag un fi.
SL: Wyt ti dal i weld yr hogiau o Wet, Wet, Wet?
Marti: O ydw, wrth gwrs, mae llawer o hanes yna. Rydym yn cyfarfod am ginio y rhan fwyaf o’r amser, ond beth sydd yn rhaid i ti gofio ydy ein bod wedi dod at ein gilydd yn yr ysgol uwchradd! Roedd bod hefo nhw yn grêt, a beth dwi’n mwynhau am yrfa ydy hirhoedledd. Do, rydym wedi cael rhifau un ac wedi chwarae mewn amryw stadiwm enfawr, ond mae’n ymwneud mwy gyda gwybod gallaf barhau i wneud hyn ac mae hynna yn cadw fi’n ei wneud, dwi’n gobeithio bydd fy ngyrfa yn aros.
SL: Pa bryd berfformiais di yng Nghymru gyntaf?
Marti: Tua 30 mlynedd yn ôl, dwi’n hoffi perfformio yng Nghymru. Mae cynulleidfa Cymraeg ac Albanaidd yn debyg iawn – mae angerdd gan y ddau, amdanyn nhw eu hunain ac am y celfyddydau.
(Cwestiynau Wicid / CLIC)
Wicid: Os gallet ti wadd hyd at bedwar person i ginio, pwy fydda nhw?
Marti: O wow, ym? Dwi ddim yn gwybod beth i ddweud, ni fyddech chi’r bobl ifanc yn adnabod y bobl yma mae’n siŵr! Iawn – David Niven, Audrey Hepburn, Peter Houston a Elvis, sut mae hynny?
Wicid: Wyt ti’n teimlo’n nerfus am berfformio yn y Theatr Playhouse yng Nghaeredin, gan mai hwnnw ydy dy wlad enedigol?
Marti: Dwi’n nerfus am bob sioe. Dwi’n ceisio cysylltu gyda’r gynulleidfa a’u teimladau. Mae cynulleidfa dda yn golygu teimladau da.
Wicid: Y mis hwn mae CLIC i gyd i wneud gydag ysbrydoliaeth, ac mae Wicid.tv yn cynnwys llawr o ysgrifennu creadigol. Pa gyngor fyddet ti’n rhoi i’n darllenwyr sydd â diddordeb mewn dilyn y ffordd o fyw a gyrfa hwn?
Marti: Beth sy’n rhaid cofio ydy, roedd fy mreuddwyd mawr i yn Wet Wet Wet wedi’i rannu gyda dim ond pedwar o bobl. Y dyddiau hyn mae’n cael ei rannu gyda miloedd o ffans. Mae’n rhaid i ti gredu yn dy freuddwydion gydag angerdd. Mae pobl yn tueddu disgyn i mewn i’w bywydau daearol yn lle. Os wyt ti’n dilyn dy freuddwydion fe ddei di o hyd i sêr, ac yna bydd eraill yn tanysgrifio i’r freuddwyd yno.
Geiriau ysbrydol iawn yna gan wir berfformiwr.
Mae’r sioe yn dod i Ganolfan Mileniwm Cymru rhwng 4 a 9 Gorffennaf 2011 – Dwi’n archebu tocynnau fel anrheg pen-blwydd buan i fi fy hun!
Hoffwn ddiolch i Marti Pellow, Sarah Earnshaw a Sabrina Carter, yn ogystal â Meleri yn Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, a pob lwc gyda’r daith gan Wicid.tv a CLICarlein!
Edrycha ar www.jekyllandhydethemusical.com.
Martyn Said What? 
I’m not talking to you. You didn’t put the GINO ONE UP.