Having already taken the West End and Broadway by storm, the stage musical version of Robin Williams’ 1993 movie Mrs Doubtfire now begins a UK tour, with Gabriel Vick in the title role. 
Gabriel has played the character of Daniel Hillard - and his Scottish nanny alter-ego, Mrs Doubtfire - since the show’s UK premiere in 2021. The part involves costume changes, celebrity impressions and more than a few slapstick moments... as the actor explained to What’s On…

Family favourite Mrs Doubtfire has taken to the stage. Previously seen on Broadway, in Manchester and the West End, the fun-filled musical now heads out on a national tour, which kicks off at Birmingham Hippodrome this month.

Based on the same-named 1993 movie, in which Robin Williams took the title role, Mrs Doubtfire tells the tale of a family navigating divorce, with dad Daniel Hillard facing the grim reality that he will no longer be able to see his three children every day. So he decides to take drastic action to maintain his relationship with them - disguising himself as Scottish supernanny Mrs Doubtfire...

The show’s Broadway run was limited due to Covid restrictions, so it was hard to predict how the production would be received at its UK premiere. When it opened in 2022 in Manchester, Gabriel Vick starred as Daniel and his nanny alter-ego. He also took the lead when the show moved to the West End.

“It’s been a lovely ride,” Gabriel told What’s On. “We were very lucky, because we didn’t know how well it would go down here. I didn’t move my things into my dressing room until after the reviews came out, because you never know...

“I’m really excited about the tour! It’s so much easier. If [audiences are] going to London, you’ve got to get a hotel, you’ve got to book your travel, and that makes it three times more expensive. So when we come to your local theatre, it’s that bit easier. I think people will be really excited and really up for it. She’s such a beloved character, and I think they’re gonna go wild.”

While Gabriel has been inspired by Robin Williams’ iconic on-screen performance from more than 30 years ago, he has also relished the chance to find his own style in the role.

“[Williams] was born the same year as my dad, and he’s got such a great screen presence, he almost feels like a parent - there’s such a lovely energy from that man. I always say I’m standing on his shoulders, rather than ‘in his shoes’. I feel free with it. I don’t feel shackled by it. And it’s not really him; it’s this character that he created. She’s more like Dame Edna Everage - she has her own energy. She’s naughty and can say things that people wouldn’t be able to say.

“The Daniel that I do is probably not very like Robin - he’s got this round moon face, and I don’t. That’s what makes the transformation even more fun, because I think the mask really changes the way I look, and that makes the change even more interesting. I’ve got that same zany energy that he has, and I do love playing. You watch Robin Williams and it’s just playfulness all the time.”

Already established in the world of musical theatre and, like Williams, having honed a skill for impressions, Gabriel was well equipped to take on the role - and didn’t hesitate when given the chance to revisit it.

“This is a sort of breakthrough role for me, and with my skill set, it feels right to keep the show going. I derive so much joy from it - and from the audience’s reaction - it seemed a bit of a no-brainer to play the role again.”

The show’s tour also increases the chance for Gabriel to have some fun by reaching out directly to local audiences.

“There are moments where I can improvise - I’ll put new voices in. Maybe we’ll think of some famous Brummies to put in when we come to Birmingham! The Peaky Blinders is an obvious one… I have to run things by my director before I try different voices or jokes, but generally there are moments in the show where I can play.”

After deciding to transform himself into Mrs Doubtfire, Daniel Hillard must become unrecognisable, with the help of his makeup-artist brother, Frank. This means the show has dozens of quick changes for Gabriel, some of which happen live on stage.

“There’s at least three people for those quick changes. It’s like being in a car crash! It's part of the fun… It’s got more relaxed than at the beginning - zippers were breaking, and the more you panic, the slower you go. Now, I’m quite calm.

“The audience gets to see half these changes. That’s the fun -  they’re ‘in on’ the mechanics; they’re in on the joke.”

On top of the mask and padding which manifest the character, Mrs Doubtfire also wears snazzy outfits of her own…

“She’s well dressed, isn’t she, for a jobbing nanny? Some of the outfits look like they come from Ascot or the golf course - they’re wonderful! I’ve got to wear body padding, to change the shape of my body, and that is hot! We got air conditioning in the building about a year into the [London] run - that was very welcome - but I’m sweating bucketloads in there.”

Gabriel maintains that the story endures thanks to its emotional heart.

“You can have a very funny story, but if there’s no meaning to it, it doesn’t resonate so much. It’s a very, very silly film, with a really important message. How far would you go to be with your family? What is family? And what does it mean when it’s not conventional... when your parents split up, how does that feel?

“It’s done in such a loving and funny way that it’s palatable. I’ve had so many messages and letters about people who are single parents, or kids who have grown up like this. Everybody has a story.”

Mrs Doubtfire might have a familiar name, face and mischievous personality, but in the musical she also tries a few new exploits…

“You’ll see her modelling sportswear. That’s not in the film! It’s not just a carbon copy of the film. You get to see those favourite moments, but you also get some surprises - and, of course, a completely new, original score, which is great.”

Fans of the film will be pleased to know that many iconic scenes remain intact, even though the musical has been updated for audiences 30 years down the line.

“Boobs on fire - how could we not? Smoking boobs - that’s a must-see. People love that. There are classic moments, so it feels comforting, but it also feels new. It’s been updated, it’s got the internet - she’s the Wi-Fi Queen! It’s got to be relevant to kids now. It’s lovely that she’s got some understanding of the technological world and cultural references. She is a pretty streetwise granny - which is part of the fun of that character! I mean, the pie in the face - why else do you go to the theatre? I sometimes stand there with a pie on my face and go, ‘It’s not Shakespeare, is it?’ Last night it was a perfect pie - it went on and had a little drippy bit, and it went straight in the cup! I took a bit of licence there and said ‘Ooh, one lump or two?’ That isn’t in the script, but if it happens, the audience loves it!”

Mrs Doubtfire shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Thursday 13 August to Saturday 19 September.

By Jessica Clixby