Webchat with Stephen Mangan: Thursday 15 May, 11.15am - 12.15.

[RachelMumsnet]

We're a bit excited that actor Stephen Mangan is popping in to join us for a webchat on Thursday 15 May at 11.15am to chat about his new film Postman Pat: The Movie.

Stephen is best known as Guy Secretan in the fabulous, Bafta winning series Green Wing. He will be remembered by many for his role as Adrian Mole in The Cappuccino Years on the BBC. To Alan Partridge fans he will .

On 23rd May Postman Pat: The Movie hits the big screens across the UK and Stephen Mangan is the voice of Greendale's favourite postie. The film finds Pat coming face-to-face with the temptations of money, status and a shiny new suit when he enters a national TV talent show competition. What happens when local fame meets global notoriety? Pat is set to find out as he falls for the age-old temptation of the grass being greener?

If you're around at 11.15 on Thursday morning, drop by and chat to Stephen and for those who are unable to make that time, post a question for him on this thread ahead of the webchat.

Seriously, you're in Postman Pat? How have I missed this?

Hi Stephen!

The "You've got a giiiiinger chiiiiild!" song in a Green Wing is the only thing at which I've genuinely cried laughing. Proper, hiccuping, mascara-stained weeping.

So, thanks for that

Judging by all the a Green Wing love I've seen already, is it demoralising to hear so many people enthusing about a show you worked on a long time ago? Here's hoping not...

Hi Stephen. Wish they were making more Dirk Gently.

I guess that it must be nice to have made something that your kids can watch.

So my question is - What are you most looking forward to showing them in the future as they get older, and what would you be most embarrassed to have them watch?

Thanks. :)

Doddery that clip is hilarious - I found it whilst revising for uni exams / procrastinating a few years ago and I used to watch it several times a day during breaks from revision to cheer me up!

My question is - Do you prefer acting where you get to improvise? (I know that lots of Green Wing and Confetti were improvised but not sure about your other things and presumably stage plays you don't get to improvise as much?) And does this affect the roles you choose?

Wake up or the kitty gets it

Not a question, but just want to say (smugly) that I loved Jeeves and Wooster, and the bit where Matthew McFadyen as Jeeves as Madeleine Bassett gets ever do slightly over-immersed in his role and your reaction to that, was one of the funniest things I've ever seen on stage. I have no idea how you managed to keep it fresh every night.

When you first got into acting, what kind of roles did you think/wish you might be in, if things really worked out well?

I live abroad and have never heard of Green Wing.

Doddery! How did she last that long before laughing?
Hi stephan. What's been your favourite acting job? it's postman pat isn't it?

Another Green Wing fan and question here sorry! not really

Was it as fun to work on as it was to watch? I have a girl crush on Tamsin Grieg and and long term love affair for Mark Heap they just seem like hilarious people to work with.

Hello Stephen. Another huge fan of your work here.

My absolute favourite of your comedy series is 'Free Agents' - I thought you and Sharon Horgan were brilliant, with great chemistry, and there was so much pathos mixed in with the comedy.

Is there any chance another series will be made? I really hope so.

Stephen yet to quite make it into the building but he's not far away, so should be getting going shortly...

Hi Steven, my children listen to your recordings of Fairy Tales nearly every night, and they practically know them by heart. My youngest quotes them in a deep voice .

I loved Green Wing, but my favourite thing I've seen you in was a programme where celebrities went for a walk somewhere significant to them, and you went to Ireland. My own family originates in exactly the same area of Ireland, and it has inspired me to visit myself (we are going next year).

So my question is, how do you find doing something like that, where you really have to reveal something of yourself to an audience, rather than a character?

Hello! Sorry I'm late. It's good to be at the nerve centre of the Mumsnet operation. There are hundreds of people in here! Let's get going...

@PlumpPartridge

Hello Stephen, I enjoyed Green Wing and especially enjoyed Episodes (very glad it's coming back)! My 3yo son is a bit obsessed by Postman Pat too (to the extent that he once asked if Postman Pat did poo ) so I'm sure we'll see the film.

My question is, what research did you do to 'become' Pat (if any) ad have you discovered a newfound empathy for posties?

I presume Postman Pat does do poo although you won't see that in the film! AS for posties, I've always got on well with mine (Trevor). On a nice day I always think it looks like a great job, when it's raining I'm glad to be safe indoors.

@Badvoc

Hi Stephen. I wondered if you had the choice which you would choose?... To be the hugely successful actor you are Or To be the lead vocal of a massively successful prog rock band? Love your work, you saucebox

No contest – I'd be on stage singing in a wizard's outfit.

@PetiteRaleuse

My daughters love Postman Pat as I did as a child.

I am intrigued as to how such an incompetent postman could win a talent contest.

A simple question: do you prefer stage or screen acting and why?

I take umbrage with that! Pat's a terrific postman and it turns out he's got a jaw-droppingly beautiful singing voice.

As for your question, I like them both, but it's nice sometimes to say something funny and actually hear people laugh, so stage wins in the end.

@StephenMangan

Hello! Sorry I'm late. It's good to be at the nerve centre of the Mumsnet operation. There are hundreds of people in here! Let's get going...

There aren't actually. He's exaggerating.

@SacreBlue

My DS is too big for Postman Pat these days so I'm going to ask an unrelated shallow question.

You, Tamsin and Julian all had/have such gorgeous hair, like a Green Wing themed L'Oreal commercial - did you all share the same haircare routine back then?

And do you ever have weirdos fans Matt LeBlanc try and run their fingers through your hair when you meet?

Julian is actually bald and wears a ginger wig. Tamsin rents her hair from a small child. My hair is borrowed from Brian May.

Thanks Stephen!

I have just watched the trailer. PatBot looks AWESOME, although I'm pretty sure I'm meant to be rooting for you

When you are doing the voiceover for reality shows (FIAB etc) - do you watch the show for context ? or read from script?

Do you ever think WTF?

@PostHocErgoPropterHoc

Hi Stephen

The first series of Episodes got me through some long nights feeding my dc2. Looking forward to the new series tonight :)

Is there going to be any more Dirk Gently?

Thank you! Those long nights with hungry children are starting to become a distant memory for me as my youngest has reached the grand age of three, but good luck! I don't think there will be any more Dirk Gently sadly. I loved making that show.

@TravelinColour

First I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to Stephen for the fairytale recordings he did with Tamsin Greig. My five-year old loves them.

An actual question then... Which music festivals are you going to this year, if any?

Those fairytale recordings have had a huge impact. I suppose parents have to listen to them over and over again. I used to play them for my children to send them to sleep.

As for music festivals, probably none this year. We start shooting the new series of Episodes in July and until then my wife is in Holby City so someone needs to look after our children!

@PlumpPartridge

Thanks Stephen!

I have just watched the trailer. PatBot looks AWESOME, although I'm pretty sure I'm meant to be rooting for you

Well as I play both Pat and PatBot I suppose I win either way! Hope you enjoy the film. We're really proud of it.

@hughmirin

When you are doing the voiceover for reality shows (FIAB etc) - do you watch the show for context ? or read from script?

Do you ever think WTF?

I watch the show as I'm doing the voiceover and I'm constantly thinking WTF.

Ha!
As I thought! :)
My dc are a bit too old for postman pat now...luckily I can borrow my niece.
She'll love it :)

@BookieTubules

I saw you in Jeeves and Wooster. (It/Stephen was brilliant, Rooble.)

[quote Wetoopere]Are you at the Kendal premiere of Postman Pat this weekend?
I've only heard rumours and not seen anything confirmed tried and failed to win tickets anyway

Yes, I'm going up to Kendal on Saturday to introduce the film. That, after all, is Pat's hometown.