SECRETS REVEALED

The inspirations for my characterization of Gilderoy Lockhart are as follows:

As much as I enjoy playing that egotistical buffoon for Potter functions, and entertaining kids, I almost did not go through with it at first. I am glad now that I did, obviously (and that people urged me to), but it's true that I came close to passing on it, because - get this! - I just was not as big a fan of Harry Potter at the time of the first extravagant release party at Barnes and Noble. I liked the books and enjoyed the films, but never enough to put on a costume and act a fool in front of a crowd.

In the week or so before Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix came out (circa June 2003) - the first time I was asked to play Gilderoy - I became increasingly nervous. Having little or no acting experience, I worried that I wouldn't know what to say or how to act. It got so bad, I actually took my name off the list, but others (notably Lisa and Dani - then called David) talked me into doing the part anyway. So I watched Chamber of Secrets, the movie, and reread the book, until I got some of Lockhart's mannerisms and quotable lines memorized. Thus, the first (and obvious) influence was the great Irish actor Kenneth Brannagh who did such a fine and funny job with the part in the film.

I conjured up memories of flamboyant, outrageous, and ridiculous characters from my past. Believe it or not, the major inspiration for Gilderoy's physical stance and presentation (hands on hips, legs splayed, grand & over-the-top, blond hair flowing) was, of all people, Led Zeppelin's lead singer, the legendary Robert Plant. Anyone who has ever seen any of the films or photos of that old group in action, knows that Mr. Plant was quite the strutting peacock in his day.

For the sinister, but equally foolish and funny part of Gilderoy's personality, I found a more obscure influence. It comes from the Dustin Hoffman movie Little Big Man and the role of General Custer as played by the late character actor, Richard Mulligan. He was the first person to play Custer as something other than a hero. His portrayl is of a man whose barbaric egomania lies just beneath his facade of dashing self-confidence. Like Gilderoy, he too, is blond and a dandy. In the end, the crazy part takes over, completely, and (as you know) he leads his entire command into tragedy at Little Bighorn; karmic payback, one might say, for the havoc he wreaked on Native Americans during his career.


Finally, on a personal level, I used the grand, larger-than-life role model of my good friend, Fred. I have known him since I was three years old. He is locquacious, he is bald, he is gay. He likes to wear a kilt. He impersonates nuns and boyscouts and log cabin Republicans. He is such a grand character that even Enormous John Junkill, himself, was forced to admit, "If I didn't know him, I would have had to create him." He exhibits the audacity of a pirate, the romantic chutzpah of a Roosevelt, the dignity of a King, and the flamboyance of a ... well .. of a queen. And he inhabits my Gilderoy as if I were channeling him. It's a strange and uneasy experience - being posessed by Fred - believe me. And yet, it is ultimately enjoyable. Fred is pictured here in the 1980's ... with hair.

Note: Fred is neither as wicked nor as foolish as Lockhart. What they share, however, is grand and enviable style.

So the magician (or wizard, as it were) has revealed his secrets. Here's hoping that this weekend's Harry Potter performance will not suffer as a result.

Hope to see you there.

On Saturday.

Sometimes betwen 3 PM and sunset.

At the Borders in Plano.

972-713-9857.