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Tell me about your character Harry. What’s he like?
I think of Harry as a rather sweet man, not lacking courage. He’s a very nice, kindly person but he’s trapped in a very conventional life. He’s timid and he’s lost his sense of adventure. He clearly hasn’t done anything spontaneous for about 25 years and now he’s trying to have a bit of an adventure.
One of the most hilarious parts of the film is at the end when you all wear outrageous costumes and perform a couple of ABBA songs. What was that like?
It was just one long humiliation really (laughs). I think we’d been subjected to so much by then and the dignity had been left at the door on our way in. I quite looked forward to wearing spandex and suddenly wondered if that’s why I took the job in the first place because you cannot be an actor without being an old queen. It was a time-consuming process though, squeezing those middle-aged bodies into tight spandex.
What did you think of the end result?
I think the ludicrousness of the scene was fantastic. But it was the very last thing we did. We’d shot everything and came to Pinewood just to do that end sequence, which they were thinking of not doing. They were like “I don’t think we’re going to shoot that end bit, I don’t know if we’re going to have the budget to do it.” I don’t think it would be the same film without it. It delights people in the show when they go and see it. I think you can’t do something that references ABBA without seeing those preposterous frocks. It was incredibly painful though, moving around in platform boots and spandex.
You said in a previous interview that you could neither sing nor dance. So what happened?
It’s true! And you know, it wouldn’t be so funny if John Travolta was doing this. It’s funny to get people who can’t do anything on the dance floor. We don’t have to do anything – we are the embodiment of comedy.
Were you embarrassed at all?
If I had a serious problem with it, I wouldn’t have done it. All performing is terrifying. But I’m not embarrassed for my pride, although it would be a ludicrous choice of profession for someone who wants to protect his dignity.
Were you sick of ABBA songs by the end of filming?
I think they’ll have to arrange a special ABBA detox programme! The effect they have is incredible. You carry these songs with you whether you like it or not. But I like ABBA – there’s nothing not to like. The fact that they have survived is a testament to them, it doesn’t happen by accident.
Do you have a favourite ABBA song?
No, I like lots of them. I’ve got an ABBA CD now. I’ve always liked them.
Is it liberating to sing?
It can be. It’s euphoric. You can be buzzing for quite a long time afterwards. It came as quite a surprise to discover how uplifting it is. I had to practice my song a lot in order to record it so I had to walk around singing endlessly – and the people in my house were singing it as well.