Sleeping Trees and Dan Wye
Published: Tuesday 1st November 2022
One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. Actually on this Halloween Boxing Day we're pleased to welcome a foursome of comic thespians, three of them Sleeping Trees.
The sketch/theatre troupe of James Dunnell-Smith, Joshua George Smith and John Woodburn have just launched Peter Pan's Labyrinth, which, as the title may suggest, "is an alternative comedy mash up of Peter Pan, Pan's Labyrinth and Labyrinth," Dunnell-Smith explains.
"We've taken characters and well-known moments from each of the films, added in a banging 80's soundtrack from sound designer Ben Hales and mixed them in with our own unique narrative and made a show you could literally never see anywhere else."
It's on at London's Vaults until January, and the trio have had some notable help. The Pyjama Men's Shenoah Allen did the dramaturgy, while drag star Dan Wye appears as... well, let's just say he adds a bit of stardust. Their presence "was when it all came together for me," says Woodburn. "It's been such a collaborative creative process; we've basically just been trying to make each other laugh and I think that fun really translates on stage."
Wye certainly agrees. "The thing I love about the Sleeping Trees work and collaborating with them is the fact they have these absurd hilarious ideas and then have the skill to bring them to fruition. There were times in rehearsals where I thought 'how the hell can this happen?' and somehow magically they make it happen."
Sleeping Trees - and Dan Wye - your Random 8 await.
Who was your first on-screen crush - and ever met them?
Josh: The Why Bird from Playdays. No, despite multiple events they won't see me.
John: There's a beautiful scene in The Mask where Jim Carrey is talking to Cameron Diaz in the red dress, and I couldn't help but think how sexy Jim Carrey looked.
Dan: For me it was Morticia Addams, she was so powerful and sexy with this dark edge and great lighting. Turns out I didn't necessarily fancy her but wanted to be her... I guess you can see my inspirations for my ghost whispering comedy character, Séayoncé.
James: Cameron Diaz in The Mask. And no. But I'd only want to meet her in The Mask. Or maybe Shrek Diaz.
Your most regrettable purchase?
John: One time I asked for £25 cashback at Wetherspoons and one jäegerbomb. I sat back down and thought they were taking a long time and then saw that they'd poured me 25 jäegerbombs. The barmaid was furious. I ended up paying for them all and just selling them on to others in the pub.
Josh: I regret buying six jäegerbombs off John.
James: My house rabbit. It's taken full control of the house and changed the locks.
Dan: I currently have Stockholm Syndrome with Hellofresh, I hate her but I can't quit her. If I receive one more Naanizza I will actually scream. There's a scene in Brokeback Mountain where one of the cowboys says "I wish I knew how to quit you" that was actually based on my relationship with Hellofresh.
Which film would you love to have been in, and which part?
John: Hoggle; Labyrinth. I get to play him in our show so I guess I'm literally living my dream.
Josh: Hoggle from Labyrinth - and now I'm gutted.
Dan: Coyote Ugly - so I could sexily dance on a bar whilst Tyra Banks poured a jug of water over my tits.
James: Shrek. The bit with Diaz.
Ever met a particularly great or awful famous person?
John: David Gilmore from Pink Floyd. We were at Isle of Wight Festival and he was there supporting his wife and we built up the courage to go over and ask for a picture and his response was 'I'd rather not.' So now whenever Pink Floyd come on we turn it off and say 'I'd rather not'.
James: Ainsley Harriott, whose old show Ready Steady Cook gets a glow up in this show. He is a king.
Dan: My worst celebrity experience is the fact everyone constantly thinks I am in fact Sam Smith.
Which historical figure should get more attention?
John: David Cameron.
James: The pig that David Cameron fucked.
Josh: The Why Bird from Playdays.
Dan: My exes... I joke, let them burn.
What's the strangest thing in your wardrobe?
John: Mr Tumnus.
James: It's a toss up between the lion and the witch. I'll say the lion edges it.
Dan: There's a witch and a lion and a half goat James McAvoy in there.
Josh: I feel like I have to keep the theme going here so I'll say... loads of Turkish Delight.
Your most interesting injury?
John: In a random train of events I broke my finger whilst training as a goalkeeper for Chelsea which meant I stopped playing football, learnt guitar, joined a band, realised I wasn't very good at guitar and started writing comedy. Now I'm a comedian and £200k a week poorer.
Josh: My jaw locked midway through a show once and we had to stop the show and take me to hospital - it still clicks when I open it all the way.
James: Twisted me balls once. Great days.
Dan: I have a scar on my hand from cutting it on glass during a dance-off in a club. When it happened I didn't actually realise until the girl I was competing against screamed at me 'cause I was just spurting blood at her... I obviously won.
What can you recite from memory?
James: The Dr Zaius song from the Planet of the Apes musical from The Simpsons. I love legitimate theatre.
Dan: War and Peace.
John: Remix to Ignition by... never mind.
Josh: About half of this show.
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