Find out why former Buffy The Vampire Slayer star and fashion-recreating icon Tom Lenk is ecstatic to be playing the eponymous star of Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist, what drew him to the role and how his Instagram-dominating cut-price clothing creation began, then book tickets for the cult hit fringe play that runs from 6-16 February 2019 as part of VAULT Festival.
In the acclaimed comic play by Byron Lane, Lenk plays the iconic actress Tilda Swinton, a modern day Mary Poppins who finds a depressed gay man on Craigslist and insists on studying and dissecting his life to research her next big movie role. The two very different personalities immediately clash, leading to chaos, hysteria, laughter and catharsis.
Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist received its world premiere at Hollywood’s Celebration Theatre in August 2017. Although it was originally due to run for a handful a of performances, the show proved so successful that it extended for months. It subsequently made its New York debut off-Broadway at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in March 2018, where it sold out. It wowed crowds and critics alike when it made its international debut at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe.
During it’s previous runs it has garnered a host of exceptional reviews. Broadway World called it a “Brilliant tour de force”, Three Weeks Edinburgh labelled it “a gem of a show” and Arthur’s Seat said it was a “dark, riotous romp”. It also boasts celebrity fans including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Urie and Jason Biggs.
Lenk, whose screen credits include HBO’s Room 104, Episodes, How I Met Your Mother and House M.D is joined in the cast by playwright Byron Lane who also wrote and stars in Last Will & Testicle, an award-winning web series about his tryst with testicular cancer. The cast is completed by Jayne Entwistle, who founded Big City Improv and has appeared in series including Feud: Bette & Joan, The Good Place and Desperate Housewives, and LA stage regular Mark Jude Sullivan. They are directed by Tom Detrinis, producing director of the critically acclaimed theatre company, 30 Minute Musicals.
How did you get involved with Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist?
Writer/star Byron Lane sent me the script and I forgot to read it for a few weeks coz I’m a monster, but then once I sat down and started reading, I emailed him when I got to page 3 and said I’m in! Let’s find a theater!
What did you think when the play was first pitched to you?
I was completely blown away by how incredibly weird and wonderful and hilarious it is. And I was hooked by all of the Mary Poppins under/overtones, which I came to learn was not a conscious choice by Byron (the writer). Subconscious Mary Poppinisms?! Sign me up!
How much of your Tilda Swinton is based on Tilda Swinton and how much is entire invention?
Half of me is real AN ACTOR PREPARED and the other half of me is OVERPREPERATION KILLS THE MAGIC. So I watched some of her movies. Pretended to watch others and just watched clips instead. Watched interviews with her which I found especially helpful because, ask anyone what her real accent is and you get one big shoulder shrug. She’s a chameleon and constantly changing and morphing into different personas! And then a large part of my version of Tilda is just what I imagine her to be like mixed with some Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins meets both Patsy and Eddie (Ab Fab) if that makes any sense at all?
How did it feel when the play began to pick up such incredible reviews?
It made me supes happy because I feel like Byron has written a role that gives me the opportunity to do ALL THE THINGS in one show/one hour/one character… which is rare. I recently was editing my film/tv reel and thought to myself, “This is me just being moderately amusing/dramatic opposite famous people.” I’m fine. But not GREAT. Being relegated to sidekick/supporting roles means saying “Hey there [gorgeous tv actor]. Tell me about your day…” and watching someone else sink there teeth into the meaty stuff. This role gives me (and whoever else goes on to play it) the opportunity to be great.
As an out, gay, character actor, this opportunity is rare in mainstream fare. It’s such a great lesson to create the roles that you want to see. I had the same feeling when I first read this script that I did when I first watched London Spy – A British spy crime murder mystery show in which the leads happen to be gay men – its like someone went inside my head and made a show that’s exactly what I want to see! And it’s amazing to see how much the audiences of all walks of life enjoy and relate to the journey of Walt as a gay man. Also I love my cast so much, they are all such amazing friends and actors and we have as much fun on stage as we do off!
Why do you think the play has been such a big hit?
I think because it’s incredibly funny, witty and has so much heart. And it’s constantly growing and changing. Having done Broadway musical theater where the show is “frozen” after rehearsals end, we, like Tilda, are constantly changing and morphing, always updating jokes and physicality to reflect new locations and pop-culture references. So, it always feels new and different and I seriously could do it every night, I love it so much! And our director, Tom DeTrinis, is a genius! And my fellow cast mates – Byron, Jayne Entwistle and Mark Jude Sullivan – are so talented and fun!
How do you feel about giving the piece its London debut at VAULT Festival?
I can’t wait! And who knows… will Tilda show up? Will she want to take a selfie with her on-stage counterpart?! BTW audiences are encouraged to take a photo with me as Tilda after the show. Please don’t pop the bubble wrap tho okay?!
How much of a hand did you have in Tilda’s bubblewrap dress?
TWO HANDS. AND MY BAWDEE. Obviously I demanded that I design and construct Tilda’s constume (also coz I’m $FREE). I have made several coats, assisted by my cast mates, as it’s easier to buy bubble wrap in each city than travel with a cumbersome bubble wrap coat. Don’t worry though, we recycle!
Where did the idea for Lenk lewk for less come from?
The 2016 Met Gala. It started as a joke to myself and has now become a worldwide phenomenon. Many celebrities consider it a great honor now to be LENK’d. I have really been enjoying it as a way to stay consistently creative on a weekly basis. And so many great things have come out of it! I did Acne Studios fall digital campaign and was a mannequin in all their stores worldwide! I’ve been to the Golden Globes and live crafted the red carpet! And now I’m doing red carpet recreations for the awards shows on Busy Tonight on E! I’m gonna keep Lenk Lewking until it turns into it’s own TV show, do you hear me! *jumps high in the air, pumps fist…. aaaaaannnnd freeze frame*
What can audiences expect from a trip to see Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist?
SO MANY LAFFS. A celebration of eccentricity. A waft of spirit gum. Time travel.
