Q & A - Tim Mottershead

Tim is a local pianist (though given the occasional rivalry between Buxton and Glossop he might not see it quite that way) and is noted for wide-ranging musical enthusiasms. I first saw him at the Fringe playing ragas accompanying sitar and tabla I think. This year he is popping-up all over the place playing music from all around the world, Bond themes and accompanying bass-baritone Ed D'arcy-Hatton who will be singing arias and songs. Check the progamme or website (www.buxtonfringe.org.uk) for dates and venues. You'd have thought that with all that rehearsing to do Tim would have had better things to do than answer these questions. Plainly he is a very polite man.

1] You have played at the Buxton Fringe before why are you coming back?
After a 6 year absence I thought I’d try it again.

2] If you haven’t played Buxton before why have you decided to come for 2008?

3] Amongst Buxton’s famous sons and (adopted daughter) are Tim Brooke-Taylor, Dave Lee Travis and Vera Brittain. How do you feel about following in the footsteps of such giants? Relaxed!

4] What reaction do you expect from your audiences?
I’ll tell you that if I get an audience! Appreciative mostly I hope…groupies most welcome!

5] 5 pieces of fruit and veg a day – what do you choose to eat?

5 bananas, 3 carrots, 2 tomatoes.

6] Do you have any superstitions or routines that you follow before starting a performance? Yes, I usually wash my hands and go to the toilet…not necessarily in that order.

7] Buxton Mineral Water – how do you drink it?
By mouth, of course.

8] Are there any other performers/artists that you especially admire? If so, who and why?
A lot of the Fringe acts sound amazing, but it will be a struggle time-wise to get to them

9] What question would you have liked to answer here?
Question 10 of course!

10] What is your answer to 9]?
See above

by Keith Savage - 08/07/2008