Pete gets to chat with the director and stars of Bunny And The Bull.
Which absolutely isn’t The Mighty Boosh movie… Do you feel frustrated by that?
Or even less so, because at least one of the writers ofSpacedwas writing that.
It wasnt as strange as that!, and you go Alright, Im sorry!
(laughs)
Has anyone said to you theyve been disappointed that its not the same?
Paul:No human being, though Ive read a couple of things.
I think the problem is, it can make false expectations.
I dont think its like any of them!
So, its because youre in the oddball gang… Its the gang I want to be in!
But, hopefully, its its own thing.
Where did the visual style come from?
And I started to really like that, and built up from it… Like the bull…
Paul:Yeah!
Thats my favourite bit of the film, definitely… Did you have an idea for the set design before you started on the story?
Because that wasnt where I was going visually!
Did it take a long time to build it all?
Paul:Insanely long!
The newspaper model was enormous, seven metres long, and they spent about six weeks building it.
There were about 15 of them working 15-hour days, and we didnt even buy them lunch!
Its the most exploitative thing!
Sometimes I think with things that come out of the computer, you dont see the graft…
Even though theres just as much, you cant see the thumbprints on it, and I like that.
Hes really selfish, but the guy that hes with hasnt noticed yet.
Simons grandad was a massive gambler/alcoholic, and I sort of raided his life a lot… and hed hollowed out aShawshank-style tunnel to the pub next door.
But hed just kept this aside.
I was always saying to him You know that story you told me, can I stick that in?
GivenThe Mighty Booshconnection, was there ever any suggestion that Julian and Noel would play the two leads?
Paul:Not from us at all.
I dont think theyd have worked, really… Or Noel… Noel is never going to play the nerd!
Ed:That comparison literally comes from the long hair, doesnt it?
Hes my secret weapon!
Simon:Weve done theatre shows and sketches, and thats how the genesis started.
But, yknow…
Paul:I mean, god, its flattering.
I think its nice that people make that association.
Simon:Julians an incredible actor.
He just doesnt have my range!
Yeah, but hang on, he didnt, Ive only got one to rake!
Simon:He cant have mine!
Paul:Im using some of his in the next film.
[To Simon] you could play the lead singer.
Its odd, isnt it?
I think thatd be a bad decision for them.
And theyd go Why arent we writing this?
Were comedy writers and Id reply You are right, get on with it!
Is there aBooshfilm in the pipeline, then?
Because its a big write…
They say theyve started already, though, so… Ill believe it when I see it.
Simon:Theyve written some stuff down on some beermats.
Paul:Yeah, Im always a bit suspicious.
Ive spent so much of the last five years going Have you fellas written that episode yet?
Yeah, its on the way, its coming, dont worry.
But where is it?
Because we film it on Tuesday!
Simon:And they present a load of sheets of…
Paul:…Toilet roll!
We came up with this picture of a man in a sheeps head!
Simon:Its the same sort of acting as normal acting, I think.
Paul:Yeah, its just the floor wasnt right, wasnt it?
[To Ed] Is it harder to lose yourself?
Ed:So youd be acting within a certain area…
Simon:You couldnt move.
Ed:Dont move your head!
Simon:Yeah, thats true, and that sort of happens normally on things.
You two are pretty naturalistic really, arent you?
You let other people get more extreme.
Paul:I always wanted to know that, really…
Simon:Are you asking the questions now?
Paul:I am.
Or are you thinking Ive got to remember this line, or trying to be yourself?
Ed:How do you act?
[laughs]
Simon:The head of an actor?
I think you
Paul:And is it different when youre trying to be funny?
Simon:No… Im not sure there is a trying to be funny acting, is there?
[…] What do you think, Ed?
Ed:I think you do lose yourself sometimes.
But I think it is harder being funny.
Paul:Its just what youre used to, isnt it?
Ive got an actor welling up over here!
Hes standing about three feet away from me, going Well Im not welling upnow!
; thats not helping anyone get into character!
Ed:I always think back to Matt… Do you want a wee, Simon?
Simon:God, yeah…
He was a runner, bless him, who led us into the studio… Wee wee, as well!
I went No… Im fine.
and we wandered on.
Simon:He was right, I needed a massive wee.
Ed:You wet yourself!
Simon:That was the scene where I wet myself, yeah…
Ed:One of many.
Ed, you often play characters who seem to be on the edge of sanity.
Where does that inspiration come from?
Ed:I think a lot of its in the script.
Paul:Oh, come off it.
A lot of it comes from you!
Ed:I think with Stephen maybe, yeah… Simon:Theyre the best people in the business!
Simon:Bunny was quite a posh guy at one point, wasnt he?
Ed:And with Veronica, as well.
What was it like working with Veronica?
Paul:She was amazing!
We met a lot of really funny British actresses, but I wanted it to be real.
We got so much out of her, though, just being terrible at English.
; it was just one of the strangest moments.
Paul:That was one of the most awkward moments of my life!
Simon:What is this, is this a Spanish saying?
And shes going Yes, its a thing!
Have you never heard of this?
and Im going No, never!
What, so youve already trodden on the cat and you re-double your steps to gob on it?
What iswrongwith these people?
Theres a lot of stray cats in Spain.
And thats true, but you dont go around standing on them…
Ed:Let alone spitting!
Simon:I mean, theyre pretty agile, cats.
They would get out of the way, wouldnt they?
Paul:it’s possible for you to stand on a cat; Ive trodden on my cats.
Simon:Youve got a house full of them.
Paul:Theres only three, in my one-bedroom flat.
Simon:Youre going to stand on them more often.
Many thanks to Paul, Simon and Ed.
