South Oxhey Choir tenor Mark Brunette to play Graham Taylor in community play (From Watford Observer)

South Oxhey Choir tenor Mark Brunette to play Graham Taylor in community play

11:47am Friday 27th August 2010 in

More stories about: Graham Taylor, Watford Palace Theatre, Watford Museum

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World Cup hopes may have been consigned to the litter bin for another day but we’ll never give up on football. Such is our love of the beautiful game, Watford Palace Theatre and Watford Football Club have come together to present Hello, Mr Capello, celebrating the ups and downs of life on the pitch. A community production, the play centres on the life of a promising young player on the brink of signing for the club.

It has drawn together people from ages 14 to 60, and from different backgrounds – what unites them all is their passion; be it for sport, drama, music or dance.

South Oxhey choir member Mark Brunette has been cast in the role of legendary WFC chairman Graham Taylor.

Mark, 27, has always enjoyed singing but says joining the choir two years ago has given him greater scope and he now leads the tenor section. As for acting, his last role was the lead in Bugsy Malone at Bushey Hall School in Year 11. Unfazed, Mark is happy to be returning to the stage and has gone to great lengths to do justice to the former Watford boss.

It was a real honour to meet him. He’s the greatest manager we’ve ever had; a true gentleman and a legend

Mark Brunette

“I was originally cast as football agent Don Rigby,” says Mark. “Then James [director James Williams] said ‘what’s your northern accent like?’ as he wanted me to have a go at playing Graham.

“I phoned the club, it was a week or two after the World Cup and Graham had been doing commentary in South Africa. He was on holiday so I thought, ok I’m not going to hear anything but then he called up and said: ‘so you wanna learn to talk like me then?’.”

A long-term Watford fan, Mark arranged to meet Graham at Vicarage Road.

“It was a real honour to meet him. He’s the greatest manager we’ve ever had; a true gentleman and a legend.

“I had 45-minutes with him and he allowed me to record the whole interview, which gave me a lot of stuff to play with. It was actually quite scary because in one scene he shouts at a player and he demonstrated it to full effect.”

Mark also studied footage of Graham to pick up on his mannerisms.

“When he’s concentrating he always crosses his arms, he waves his hands about a lot when he's talking and when he points he uses his middle finger.”

Watford Museum has also assisted with archive material and there will be an exhibition of material in the foyer.

“One of my most memorable games was the fifth round replay of the FA cup against Burnley,” recalls Mark. “We beat them two goals to one. Stephen Glass scored the winning goal from a free kick. That made me want to go every week.”

The show is at Watford Palace Theatre on September 3 and 4 at 7.45pm (Matinee Sat at 2.30pm). Details: 01923 225671