The Knees Have It! Neil McDermott on Playing Tiny Terror Lord Farquaad in London's Shrek

Neil McDermott has stepped (or perhaps one should say knelt down) into the role of the physically challenged, campily malevolent Lord Farquaad in the hit London production of Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. A veteran of La Cage Aux Folles, The Sound of Music, a starry London concert of Follies and the popular TV series EastEnders, the 31-year-old actor took time during a recent day off to talk to Broadway.com about stooping to conquer, as it were, eight times a week on the West End.

What did you know of Shrek the Musical when you first went up for it?
When I was asked to audition, I didn’t know the show that well, so I went along to watch a performance, and Nigel [Harman] was doing a fantastic job. He was able to bring a lot of his personality and sense of humor to the role, so I was sort of under the impression that if Nigel could do it, then I’d be all right, at least in terms of the physicality of [the part].

And you got to see firsthand what it looks like to play a part on your knees!
This is the most physically demanding part I have ever played! I’m constantly looking after my body. But although it is exhausting, you also wouldn’t have I any other way. It’s a gift of a part as soon as you walk on stage—or should I say kneel across the stage [laughs]. You have this physical obstacle to overcome, so you get the feeling that the audience is willing you to do it, that they are right behind you.

Did Nigel give you any advice?
I’ve spoken to him and seen him since, and he’s a lovely guy. We had a chat about the problems and all the physio that we do. I told him I was doing a lot of yoga just to try and make sure that I am as prepared as possible.

How are you faring so far?
It’s been OK; luckily enough, my body’s held out.

You did your stage training at Mountview [the north London drama school], though not in their musical theater course, but as an actor.
Yes, I sort of fell into the musical theater stuff when I finished. I did The Sound of Music and La Cage Aux Folles and a couple of others, and I just found the challenge of musical theater—singing and dancing as well as acting, all three together—really interesting and something I wanted to do. What’s unique about Shrek is that it also has this puppetry aspect to it: You’ve got this half-man/half-puppet that is Farquaad.

Would you say your take on the role is different from Nigel’s?
I do try and put my own spin on it. I think the main characteristics are going to be the same, but then however any actor tries out those characters is bound to be different: There are many different types of “camp,” for example. I found myself thinking about the cartoon characters I enjoy, or actors like Jim Carrey or Lee Evans in their cartoon performances, so I tried to bring a bit of that style to Farquaad. I must say the audition was quite funny. I walked in and said to them, “Would you like me on my knees?” And a couple of members of the panel said, “Yes please.”

I love it! Has your young daughter been able to see you in the role?
She’s only 18 months old, but she has come to the theater and seen me kneel down in costume, and I think she thought it was quite bizarre. I’m hoping by the end of my run that she might be able to come and check it out, as long as the dragon is not too scary!

It must have been amazing playing Jean-Michel, the son, in La Cage aux Folles, given how celebrated Douglas Hodge’s leading performance became, both in London and on Broadway.
It was, though in previews, I don’t think any of us quite knew what it was going to be because Doug had pneumonia and wasn’t able to perform for quite a few shows. But his performance was just amazing, and it inspired me, when approaching a musical theater role, to realize that the acting is still the most important thing. Even if there isn’t so much script, act the guts of the part and tell the story as best you can.

Is that thinking useful to you doing Shrek?
It is! This is my first musical since La Cage, four years later, and I really try and think along those lines.

Does acting in so many American musicals in London make you want to try New York?
I’ve been to America once. I went to New York basically to audition for a film I didn’t get, unfortunately, so that was my only experience of the States, and I loved the place! Maybe in the future my work might be able to take me back; if not, I’m sure we’ll end up at Walt Disney World at some point [laughs]. While I was there, I went to watch Hairspray on Broadway, but I was auditioning for a naturalistic film, so that was no good for the job I was trying to get.

What are your memories of playing Young Buddy in the gala 2007 concert performance of Follies at the London Palladium?
I was at the Palladium anyway doing The Sound of Music at the time, and I remember that it all came together quickly, with these star performers like Imelda Staunton and Judi Dench. I was one of the young guys, so we had these very quick dance routines, as well. To be honest, I remember thinking that I wasn’t sure it was all going to come together, but to just see how it went on the night. In fact, it was lovely and we had a nice party afterwards!

Are you all geared up to be doing Shrek during the Summer Olympics?
I think so! I imagine we’ll be racing off after our scenes to catch a bit of the sport—though I’m not sure Farquaad can really “race” [laughs]. I believe there’s a West End Olympics happening between some of the different shows—running and long-jumping and things like that. I did suggest that there should be a knee sprint, but whether or not my body is up to it, I’m not sure.