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| James Rawlings as Banquo and Toby in the title role in Macbeth – Dancehouse Theatre Manchester |
Toby’s had a pretty eclectic time in his acting life. He’s played mutes (twice), supplied voice overs, and worked on stage, television and even in an opera! He’s played Americans, a fat man, a homosexual and a scally, as well as numerous coppers. And he’s worked with some mighty fine actors and some great directors. Here’s a run through some of his more memorable jobs.
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| James Ellis, a very young Toby and Dale Rapley |
Ludlow Festival, 1990
As Leonardo and Man From Antonio Directed by Michael Napier-Brown.
Toby’s first taste of professional theatre. He had three lines. “Man From Antonio” is not one of the most challenging parts ever written by The Bard, so, unsurprisingly, Toby’s performance escaped the attention of the newspaper critics. A very nice cast included James Ellis, Robert Ashby, Kim Wall and Eric Carte.
Edinburgh Fringe and tour 1996
As The Maniac Directed by Chris Sudworth.
Toby also adapted the script of this very well received production of Dario Fo’s classic farce. The Maniac is the perfect Hadoke part – manic zeal, loads of disguises and great verbal dexterity make for a great comic creation. Although a tiny, fringe production, it got great notices in Edinburgh and consequently pretty much sold out.
“Hadoke works in a liberal sprinkling of contemporary British references, plus some cheerfully manic byplay with Masonic handhakes and the like. His elaborately wrought dialogue contains some unexpected – but very effective – Wodehousian echoes, delivered with assured fluency. A brisk, peppy production and mischievously enjoyable hour.” - The Scotsman
“This slick show has been a stalwart of theatre companies in Edinburgh over the years, but this is one of the best I can recall. The plot, based on real life events 20 years ago, concerns a young railway worker and anarchist who fell – or was pushed – from a police interrogation room four floors to his death.
A maniac, superbly played by Toby Hadoke, passes himself off as an official investigator who carries out an interrogation of the police themselves. Hadoke has adapted the script and, as is the tradition with this play, updated it with timely references to the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad and other topical material.
Hadoke is ably supported by a terrific cast including Matthew J Addis as Bertozzo and Colm Gormley as the corrupt inspector.
It is a testimony to the players and adaptation that this play is as relevant today as it was when it was first performed” – Andrew Hoyle, The Daily Express
Royal Exchange Theatre – 6th March -20th April 2002
As Snout Directed by Lucy Bailey.
Best. Job. Ever. A wonderful time was had as Toby played Snout (and indeed, Wall). Given free reign to muck about by the inspired and imaginative director Lucy Bailey, Toby and his fellow mechanicals (Francis Magee, Tom Hodgkins, Chris Jackson, Trevor Dwyer-Lynch and Howard Chadwick) had an absolute ball : and so did the audience. Toby donned a very fetching mullet hairpiece, and played Snout as a leather clad biker (albeit with a pushbike). The play within a play was glorious, with Toby appearing in red leather hot pants (very Cameo-esque). Toby modelled his voice on legendary poet John Cooper Clarke, and the production retains a very special place in his heart. Jobs this perfect come along all too infrequently.
"Every mechanical has his day, particularly Toby Hadoke as Snout who brings the house down in Act V." - Times Literary Supplement
"The excellent Toby Hadoke, (who plays Snout) as a WWF Hell’s Angel." - City Life
"It has style in its depiction of Tom Snout as a Hell's Angel with a bicycle." - The Guardian
"A special mention to Robin Laing, Jonathan Bond, Madelaine Worrall, Francis Magee, Toby Hadoke, Trevor Dwyer-Lynch, and Chris Jackson, whose performances were natural, exciting, comical and talented." - Manchester Evening News
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| Landlord and Landlady (Susan Hargreaves) |
Chorlton Arts Festival and tour – early 2003
Played all the male roles. Directed by Susan MacLeod
A real test of acting muscle, as neither actor really leaves the stage, and each plays a variety of different roles. Regular comedy goers were shocked and moved when Hadoke produced real tears in the final, moving scene where the Landlord describes the death of his little boy.
“Toby Hadoke as the Landlord showed real, heart tugging emotion in this final scene” – The Stage
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| Lloyd Hutchinson and Jason Watkins as Holmes and Watson |
Royal Exchange Theatre – 2nd July – 9th August 2003
As Copper, Captain, EmCee and loads of other parts Directed by Emil Wolk.
What was initially a series of tiny, filler parts became a cracking bevy of characters which were all wholly satisfying to play when Toby was left to write his own lines in this eclectic and bonkers comedy. Not without its tribulations though … and injuries. First Susan Swanton knackered herself in rehearsal so missed the first two weeks of the show, and no sooner was she back that George Yiasumi took a nasty tumble and was unable to continue. Everyone muddled through though, thanks largely to the sterling efforts of Lloyd Hutchinson and Jason Watkins as Holmes and Watson.
“The show is stolen from under them by Toby Hadoke in a variety of inspired comic guises. Give this man a lead role, pronto” – City Life*
“Toby Hadoke gets plenty of laughs in a multitude of scene stealing roles” – Whatsonstage
“I laughed at several incidents – the tipsy captain of airship Th’Indenberg, the sleazy compere at a Las Vegas nightclub (both played by Toby Hadoke)” - The Times
“There are comical performances from Simon Startin as Lestrade and Toby Hadoke in a myriad of roles as a jobbing actor who comments on the silliness of the anarchic situations” – The Stage
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| Toby as Freddie Miles – and yes, that’s padding! |
Dukes Theatre, Lancaster , October-November 2004
As Freddie Miles and Marc Priminger Directed by Ian Hastings.
Great fun playing two contrasting characters – outrageous homosexual Priminger and fat but principled Freddie Miles.
“Toby Hadoke as Freddie Miles brings a natural strength to the stage - and a natural stagecraft that gives an underpinning realism to the production at this critical turning point.” – Virtual Lancaster
“Director Ian Hastings certainly knows his actors when it comes to casting. No fault can be found with the characterisation of Toby Hadoke as Marc Priminger and Freddie Miles.” – Morning Star
Royal Exchange Theatre
As Pc Meadows Directed by Braham Murray
Small but fun part, as well as understudying the mighty Derek Griffiths as Truscott. A lovely cast also included Gabrielle Drake, Colin Prockter and good mate Robin Laing.
Opera North
As Angelo Directed by David Pountney
Toby played Angelo in this rare revival of Schumann’s opera. Angelo was a pretty big part, but that of a mute. A mute in an opera – rather like playing a eunuch in a porn film.
The Green Room, Manchester
A series of comedy plays at The Green Room, Manchester (written and directed by Adam Riches), playing all sorts of mad parts.
And at the Royal Exchange Studio, Fire Salad and Doorway (both by Tony Burgess and directed by Andy Farrell) and Bus Stop (with David Yip).
TV roles include
Casualty 1907
As Dr Leonard Hill, directed by Bryn Higgins
An eccentric boffin, dressed in Edwardian clothes, with his own special capsule. Could it be ...! Close, but no cigar, but a good part in this well made BBC costume drama.
The Royal Today
As James Harrison, directed by Neil Adams
Casulaty 1907 ? The Royal Today ? What is it about dramas with a medical title and a time travelling theme ? All we need now's Holby City 1066 for a hat-trick. Another good part though, and refreshingly, one the required no comedy input at all.
As Comic # 1, Directed by Jonny Campbell.
Chameleon-like versatility from Toby here, as he assays the role of a crap stand-up comedian! Much as he’s honoured to part of TV history, Toby is at pains to point out that the lines he spoke were in the script – it wasn’t his comedy. And he was playing a part, he’s not really like that.
As Vicar and Chris Baxter, Directed by Jim Loach and Tim O’Mara
Two roles – as a vicar with a terrible haircut (at Curly’s wedding) and a solicitor with an ill fitting suit. Oh the glamour.
As George Liversedge, Directed by Chris Menaul
Playing posh chum to Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis): there wouldn’t have been a saga at all if Toby hadn’t introduced Soames to Irene (Gina McKee).
As David, Directed by Christopher King
Playing a well meaning simpleton (that was a stretch!).
As Greaves, Directed by William Lyons
Playing an American journalist who had most of his lines spoken over by evil narrator Charles Dance.
As Manager, Directed by Catherine Treadwell
Anyone who blinked may have missed this.
As Scouse Robber, Directed by Adam English
Anyone who watched this should have blinked. And covered their ears. The robbers were never caught, and it’s probably Toby’s fault.
BBC Radio 4 April 2006
As Nozdryov and Tentetnikov, Directed by Polly Thomas
Brilliant, brilliant adaptation by Dan Rebellato of Gogol’s story of a man trying to buy dead servants off people in a scam to make oodles of cash. And what a cast ! Toby had two lovely parts, as compulsive liar Nozdryov in part one, and upper class twit Tentetnikov in part two. Michael Palin was sublime as The Narrator who gets involved in the play itself and Mark Heap, as the conman Chichikov, can made even the most innocuous words hilariously funny. And yes, Michael Palin is as nice as everyone says he is.
Other Radio credits include
1834 (written by Jim Poyser) as a comedy luddite (northern) and a comedy highwayman (cockney – ooh, the range of this man), and as a duped American businessman in The Saturday Play: Fraud (with Philip Glenister and Angela Wynter), all on Radio 4
Lots.
For Toby’s voice demo and agent visit: www.thevoiceovergallery.co.uk
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