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WEBCHAT GUIDELINES: 1. One question per member plus one follow-up. 2. Keep your question brief. 3. Don't moan if your question doesn't get answered. 4. Do be civil/polite. 5. If one topic or question threatens to overwhelm the webchat, MNHQ will usually ask for people to stop repeating the same question or point.

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MNHQ

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

103 replies

RachelMumsnet · 13/05/2014 14:55

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.

Webchat with Stephen Mangan: Thursday 15 May, 11.15am - 12.15.
OP posts:
StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:41

@DodderyOldSoul

Hello there,

Weird timing as I was listening to Elvenquest this evening while sorting the children's supper.

To continue to be achingly and boringly middle class, do you enjoy doing radio, and what other radio comedy / drama do you rate?

And thank you; Green Wing got me through a lot of long dark afternoons while pinned to the sofa breast feeding. And I love Episodes too.

I love doing radio. It's such an intimate medium and it's not constrained by budgets. You can go anywhere, do anything.

ravenmum · 15/05/2014 11:41

Did you listen to Kermode's review?

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:42

@BigfootFiles

I loved Episodes, glad it's coming back!

My question is, I seem to hear your voice on a lot of adverts and I was wondering whether you've ever lent your voice to a product you hated? Or do you only agree to advertise stuff you would actually buy/use?

I turn down quite a few voiceovers if I don't agree with the company or product.

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:43

@hotair

Vaguely postman pat related, What is your favourite children's tv to watch with your children? And what bedtime stories do you enjoy reading them the most? Do you do voices?

Well Postman Pat of course and as for bedtime stories, I tend to make them up. Last night my youngest said to me "do your funniest voice", so I did, there was a pause, and then he said "no your funniest voice."

Chocolateisnottheonlyfruit · 15/05/2014 11:45

Love so much you've been in Stephen - especially Jeeves & Wooster :)
Is it nice to be doing a show your kids can enjoy ?

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:46

@ravenmum

Did you listen to Kermode's review?

No. I don't read or listen to any critics. They do an invaluable job helping people to cut through the vast amount of books and films and TV shows on offer, but I don't think it helps me as an actor to read or listen to reviews. That applies to good ones and bad ones. For example, I've been told the reviews for the play I did recently were exceptionally good, but I've not read a word. It's just not helpful.

ravenmum · 15/05/2014 11:47

I guess you get more relevant feedback elsewhere anyway!

Chocolateisnottheonlyfruit · 15/05/2014 11:48

Did you get any input in the VoiceOver for Four in a bed ?

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:48

@Chocolateisnottheonlyfruit

Love so much you've been in Stephen - especially Jeeves & Wooster :) Is it nice to be doing a show your kids can enjoy ?

Firstly thank you. I had a great time playing Bertie Wooster and enjoyed working with my old friend, Matthew Macfadyen. My children did come and see it. And yes, it makes a change doing work that is suitable for them to watch. Most of the stuff I do is pretty 'adult'! My eldest is still doing Bertie's laugh on a daily basis.

Chocolateisnottheonlyfruit · 15/05/2014 11:48

Kids are so harsh !!

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:49

@Chocolateisnottheonlyfruit

Did you get any input in the VoiceOver for Four in a bed ?

I did. I enjoyed doing those shows. We wanted to do a slightly toned down version of Come Dine With Me. Four In A Bed works really well, I think. We're all fascinated by what goes on in other people's homes.

jason87 · 15/05/2014 11:49

Hi Stephen,

Do you notice certain characteristics of yourself in your on-screen characters? (especially where you are portraying less nice people!)

I am a huge fan of your work, especially Green Wing!

HelenTP · 15/05/2014 11:51

#swoon

I recently had the revelation that Jess the cat is in fact a boy cat n was shocked. Did/do you know this and do you think jess could've been a girl?

Ta waves hello ????

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:52

@Rooble

Hello! You are the only famous person I ever come across on my v occasional forays Down South (at London Bridge station and on Regents Canal). Now that your fame is global rather than limited to Channel 4 and Radio 4 are you more shy and retiring, or still cool about being seen out and about with your kids? Ps - have loved everything I've seen you in and was gutted not to be able to see Jeeves & Wooster thing.

So my question to you is are you stalking me? London Bridge station and Regents Canal... I'm very happy to be out and about with my kids but keen that they are not dragged into the whole showbiz whirl. So they came to the Postman Pat premier at the weekend but I made sure they weren't photographed. This is a confusing business for adults, let alone very small children. Good luck with the stalking. Thank you for your nice comments.

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:53

@HelenTP

#swoon

I recently had the revelation that Jess the cat is in fact a boy cat n was shocked. Did/do you know this and do you think jess could've been a girl?

Ta waves hello ????

Yes, Jess is a boy. I only discovered this myself recently and was as shocked as you. In the film, Jess is actually played by the film's director, an American called Mike Disa. He does a very good job, I think you'll agree. I'd go as far as to say that Jess steals the film.

idleweiss · 15/05/2014 11:54

Hi!

Was wondering what was the best thing about working on the Postman Pat Movie? (Boring question..I know! It was either this or who do you think would win in a fight..Mrs Goggins or Dr Gilbertson!!) :)

lynniep · 15/05/2014 11:55

Was it bl**dy brilliant working with the US team for Episodes? Me and the DH are so chuffed its back on

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:55

@jason87

Hi Stephen,

Do you notice certain characteristics of yourself in your on-screen characters? (especially where you are portraying less nice people!)

I am a huge fan of your work, especially Green Wing!

Every character you play has a bit of you in it, and playing less savoury characters can be a real release. You get to give free reign to all those dark secret bits of you that you normally keep hidden. Guy Secretan in Green Wing was a good example. He was arrogant, obnoxious, insensitive, sexist and generally hugely annoying –I loved every second.

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:57

@lynniep

Was it bl**dy brilliant working with the US team for Episodes? Me and the DH are so chuffed its back on

Yes. The writers of the show are American, in fact one of them created Friends and most of the actors are American too. It's a joy to work with talented people wherever they're from, but there's an extra thrill to flying to Los Angeles, putting on the sunglasses, jumping in a convertible and driving to Paramount Studios to film Episodes. I still pinch myself that I'm involved. That said, I still think London is the greatest city in the world.

ravenmum · 15/05/2014 11:57

ok, have bought the Green Wing DVD now :-D

Chocolateisnottheonlyfruit · 15/05/2014 11:58

My boy has gorgeous curly hair - it's great he has a grown up role model who has curly hair too :)

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:58

@idleweiss

Hi!

Was wondering what was the best thing about working on the Postman Pat Movie? (Boring question..I know! It was either this or who do you think would win in a fight..Mrs Goggins or Dr Gilbertson!!) :)

The best thing about working on the Postman Pat movie was the wrap party at the end of the shoot. Everyone had a lot to drink and Mrs Goggins and Dr Gilbertson actually did have a fight... I can exclusively reveal that Mrs Goggins fights dirty. It's lucky Dr Gilbertson is a doctor and I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 11:59

@Chocolateisnottheonlyfruit

My boy has gorgeous curly hair - it's great he has a grown up role model who has curly hair too :)

When I was growing up, I hated my curly hair. I always wanted to be able to run my fingers through my hair and for it to fall back down over my face. But I've grown to love curly hair, and my two boys are even curlier!

StephenMangan · 15/05/2014 12:03

@divingoffthebalcony

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 Grin

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...

We had a lot of fun filming that scene - 'you've got a ginger child'. I'm proud to say that I wrote those lyrics and tried very hard to make Tamsin and Julian laugh while I was singing that song. Unfortunately, they were wearing surgeon's masks, so could hide behind them. I'm delighted that Green Wings fan base continues to grow. It's one of the great things about TV as opposed to theatre that people can keep discovering it long after we'd made it. I'm extremely proud that Green Wing is still funny today and hasn't dated.

idleweiss · 15/05/2014 12:03

Lol! Brilliant! I knew that Mrs Goggins was a force to be reckoned with! :)