Emirates Open Skies, February 2020
“A time machine! Out of a Delorean?” The iconic 1980s film Back To The Future gets the musical treatment this month in a world premiere in Manchester, before transferring to the West End in London… and possibly beyond. Roger Burt, who plays Christopher Lloyd’s mad professor character Dr Emmett Brown explains the magic of time travel at 88mph.
Given one of Back To The Future’s classic scenes is Marty McFly playing Johnny B Goode, it’s amazing there’s never been a musical adaptation.
Yeah, the movie has this backbone of great music to the story. Marty McFly as a young rock’n’roll guitarist in high school is just the greatest excuse for our show to express itself through song in that main character. On top of it, we have the luxury of spending time in 1985 and 1955, both incredible musical eras. So what composers Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard were able to draw from and reference was also amazing. I can’t wait for people to hear the songs – we have an amazing band. And yes, Huey Lewis and Johnny B. Goode are in there, too.
Can you put a finger on why there’s so much love, an incredible 35 years on, for Back To The Future?
Because actually it’s about family, and the power of love – Huey Lewis’ great song – which everyone instinctively understands. You want to believe in this idea that you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it, which is such a key part of Back To The Future. And then there’s the notion of being able to go back and fix things. There’s a universal appeal there for everyone of all ages.
So how’s your version of Doc Brown shaping up?
Well, when you’re playing someone as iconic as Doc Brown, so brilliantly and indelibly rendered by Christopher Lloyd in the film, you try to use what he did as a launchpad for your own performance. I mean, he is perfect in that film. There are certain things I completely lift from him, like the way he moved. But as time goes on and you have your own relationship with the actor playing Marty McFly, it inevitably becomes my version of the character – you have to turn the movie off. I just feel so grateful that Christopher’s version was so fun.
He’s often seen as a purely comic character, but there’s also a real sense of wonder and possibility to Doc Brown.
Absolutely. It’s a role which really celebrates science and creativity. He really does express an amazing attitude about life, failure, perseverance and dedication; there’s a belief in himself and the universe that is very attractive. He’s filled with a sense of hope. In American culture, mentors used to be so important and I would say this century there’s been a little bit of a breakdown between generations. Which is why this is such a wonderful relationship – most of what he’s trying to do in this show is help his friend, there’s a lot of love between them. There’s something to cherish in that.
Have you met Christopher Lloyd or any of the original Back To The Future team yet?
Well, first of all, I have been in the Delorean – which we’re calling Dolores! As for humans, Bob Gale – who wrote the movie and the book for this musical – has been at the majority of the workshops. We go to the great oracle and ask him a question! He’s an incredible guy and he has been key in getting the tone of the show correct. Robert Zemeckis who directed the film has been here, as has composer Alan Silvestri. And yes, I did get to spend a couple of evenings with Christopher Lloyd and get to know him a bit. He just wanted to know how Doc Brown sung!
Did he give you any advice?
No – we just laughed a lot. Maybe once he sees the show I’ll corner him and say “alright, give me a word, give me something I should think about.” He’s such a great guy. Hopefully he’ll like it; it’s a great, magical, life-affirming show.
Manchester, England. backtothefuturemusical.com
