Actor uses voice as instrument

Press, 9 March 1987, Page 9

Actor uses voice as instrument

By

KAY FORRESTER

I waited for the aircraft’s landing or one of Michael Winslow’s many noises but the loudest the man of many voices got was a yawn. The American actor and comedian, into a fivenight season of stage performances that will take him from Auckland to Dunedin in as many days, was very tired. He was not happy that his tour gave him no time for a good rest or to visit children’s or veterans’ hospitals. “I really wanted to get to those kids who can’t get out but I can’t,” Winslow said from Wellington last

evening. The message the young actor would have given those children is the same he gives his audiences: “Don’t let the dreams die. Without them life is nothing.” The fun and the laughter that go with the man’s many voices and noises as he uses his voice as an instrument do not hide the sincerity of the message.

People should go out there and use their talents. Never be afraid to have a go. The only way you are going to be a success is to outlast the people who want you to fail.

The all-round per-

former — Winslow prefers that title to actor or comedian — began in show business after giving up college and a job with a big computer company.

He hitch-hiked to California and lived on mayonnaise sandwiches. The public recognition came gradually with straight acting parts and performances. It was “Police Academy” — versions 1, 2,3, and 4 — that gave him star status. Winslow does not think the comic roles of the film series have typecast him as just a “funny man.” He likes the comic roles and is excited about a Mel Brooks space com- , edy he has just finished.

But he is also keen to produce, record and tour — all of the facets that make up the all-round performer. His New Zealand tour, with the Australian comic, George Smilovici, is called “Vocal Vision.” That sums up his intent in the voices and noises. He wants to create a vision using just his voice. He promises the audience at this evening’s show in the Christchurch Town Hall “something really different.” Saturday’s show in Auckland went very well and only minutes before going out on to Wellington’s Town Hall stage last evening he was hoping for the same

response. In the near future for Winslow are a film, partly filmed in New Zealand and which he is producing, and a record.

After that he is not sure. He thinks four “Police Academy” films may be as much of a good thing as he can take after some differences with the producers about his character.

Whatever, he has a number of options. “Sometimes I play piano, sometimes I pick up a trumpet. I have been known to play the guitar. And I act and there’s vocal vision. I just like to keep them guessing.” Picture, page 3.