Questions and Answers with Charlie Cairoli by Kerstin McClure as published September 2008 Write Charlie, Issue 57

Q&A with Charlie Cairoli

Interviewed by Kirsten McClure — The Right Charlie, September 2008

How would you describe yourself?

I’m a pretty ordinary chap who minds his own business. I try to do my best when I can. I’m a terrible worrier about my work. With my partners and others in my job I’m rather quiet, but sometimes the reaction comes home.
My wife is marvellous — she understands.

Are you a clown who would have liked to play Hamlet?

No. But I’ll tell you what I did want to do: take up opera.
I had a powerful voice when I was young, and I even had an offer of free training from a famous teacher. But you know what circus life is — always moving from place to place — so nothing came of it.

If something similar ever happened to any of my children, I would make sure nothing stood in their way.

What was the happiest moment of your career?

I’ve had so many. One I remember especially was when I opened at the London Hippodrome. I had changed the act and wondered, “Will it or won’t it go down alright?”
To my amazement, I stopped the show.

Another happy moment was at my last Royal Command Performance, when I was introduced to Her Majesty and Prince Philip. I cracked a few jokes with the Duke. He laughed and seemed an extremely pleasant person.

Actually, it’s funny — even at a show like that, I wasn’t nervous. I’m lucky enough never to have suffered from stage fright in my life. I can worry about how a new act will go, yes — but that’s a different thing.

What kind of father are you?

I’ll be honest — my father was very hard, the strict Victorian type. It wasn’t his fault; that was simply how children were brought up then.
I promised myself that when I married, I would be the direct opposite.

I think I’ve kept that promise.
I’m more of a pal to my children.
The result is that we are a very united family, and we laugh a lot together.

Which quality do you appreciate most in your wife?

Her patience!

What is your biggest dislike?

I can’t say I have many.
Well, I don’t like hypocrisy, for example. But on the other hand, I soon forget things people say or do. I’m never hurt or upset by them.

I have no dislikes in food for the simple reason that I’ve had some rough times in my life. It wasn’t a question of liking food — it was a question of eating what we could, or starving.

What is your greatest fear?

I’m a fatalist, so I don’t really worry. Obviously, I shouldn’t like to stay in bed for the rest of my life, but if it happens, what can I do about it? It’s no good thinking about it.

In this work you see a lot of suffering. I’ve seen a young artist doing a turn, and the next moment they’re crippled for life.
But I should add that you also see courage in my business — how people make the best of things.

Are you interested in politics?

Not in the least.

Are you religious?

I’m Roman Catholic, and I’ve raised my family in the Faith.
I might not go to church regularly, but I think I can say I try to live my life the best I can.
There’s some religion there somewhere.

What do you spend your money on?

When you have a wife, two daughters and one son, all the clothes to buy, and the income tax — believe me, spending money presents no problems!

What is your wish for the future?

To go on entertaining and giving a bit of pleasure to people — to help them forget their worries for a short while.