Jon Culshaw says playing Doctor Who would be his "dream job"

Virgin Radio

13 Feb 2021, 12:31

Jon Culshaw is notoriously a big Doctor Who fan, and has been previously seen impersonating its characters in BBC Radio 4 comedy Dead Ringers.

But would he take on the role of Doctor Who himself?

The impressionist said that playing the Doctor would be his "dream job" when asked if he was in the pipeline to take over from Jodie Whittaker.

"That's a call you know, I wouldn't hesitate on that one, that's for sure!" Jon joked when Graham asked if he was in the running for the role.

"I think to be the Doctor is the kind of life that I would like. Just to choose wherever you want in the universe, you know, maybe go to the Trappist System and see a setting red giant with five moons in the sky."

"To see alien worlds, and go to any time period you want... I'd quite like that sort of life, so playing the Doctor would be a step towards that I think."

Jon joined the Graham Norton Radio Show this morning to chat about his upcoming performances in the re-imagined 'Barnes' People' monologues by Peter Barnes.

He plays the role of Michael Jennings in 'Billy and Me'; a monologue previously commissioned and broadcast on BBC radio with Alan Rickman taking the role. 

On the story, Jon says: "It's sort of in those moments of rehearsal, a few hours before the show starts, when the theatre is empty - so it's very atmospheric in that way."

"Michael Jennings, the character, is a ventriloquist - sort of a seasoned entertainer, an old school pro - and he just wanders onto the stage just to have his moment with the puppets and just have his own bit of rehearsal time. And this is where his spontaneous imagination, the voices in his head, take a bit of a flight." 

'Billy and Me' is just one of four Peter Barnes' orginal monologues, with the others performed by Matthew Kelly, Jemma Redgrave, and Adrian Scarborough. They've already been filmed at the Theatre Royal Windsor, with all four performances streaming online from the 18th February to the 31st July.

Tickets are now available to book at originaltheatreonline.com

For more great interviews listen to The Graham Norton Radio Show, Saturdays AND Sundays from 09:30am on Virgin Radio, or catch up on-demand here.