COLIN Salmon – of Dr Who and James Bond fame (he appeared as Charles Robinson in three of the four Pierce Brosnan outings) – talks about his role as doorman Louis in Clubbed and what it was like to find him physically and mentally.

He also reveals how his own experiences as a doorman helped him get into the world depicted in Neil Thompson’s film, and why he thinks the violence is shot in a responsible manner.

Q. How would you describe the character of Louis?
Colin Salmon: Louis is a good man and he’s a big man. He’s also a very strong man. He’s a good friend to have.

Q. You mention in the production notes that you see him as a kind of samurai figure?
Colin Salmon: I played him for real. I played him as a human being… as someone who is very strong. I had a lot of discussions with Geoff [Thompson, author] about who I was portraying and also based him on memories I have of guys like Louis. I suspect if you met a samurai he would probably be living his life in a very normal context.

Q. How physically demanding was he to get? Was there a lot of physical preparation involved for the boxing scenes?
Colin Salmon: We worked quite hard on the boxing scenes. The physical work helps to get your head into the right place. I call it the king of the mountain eyes – within Clubbed we all had to be pretty much out of breath most of the time. But you can imagine what it would be like to do take after take after take of punching… you’re done afterwards.

Q. Had you boxed before?
Colin Salmon: Boxing was never one of my art forms because I also play the trumpet and the two don’t go together. But it was fun to do and I’d love to do it again, because I’ve been a big Ali fan since growing up.

Q. How hard was he to find mentally?
Colin Salmon: I think there’s an aspect of me that’s got Louis in him, if I was that sort of guy.

Q. He’s a very thoughtful person in that he’s always try and think his way out of a situation before resorting to violence, even though you know he can handle himself…
Colin Salmon: I think it’s really important that he doesn’t go straight to conflict. He’ll use everything but… and I think that’s the important thing about Clubbed as a movie. People are focusing on the violence, because there are some really powerful scenes in it. But the film itself is actually quite heartening, humorous and human.

Q. Was there ever any trouble with the censors with some of the violence?
Colin Salmon: I think they’re within the context of the piece. We’re not trying to sell it to children, so I think we’ve been quite responsible about it and that’s the key. Clubbed is very entertaining but very responsible storytelling.

Q. Do you have a newfound respect for bouncers?
Colin Salmon: I know what they do. I know there are good bouncers and there are not so good bouncers. But it’s an important job and not one that everyone wants to do.

Q. Did you speak to any as part of your research?
Colin Salmon: Well, I actually did doors years and years ago, so I’ve actually done it as a profession. There are some who enjoy the fighting and there are others, like myself, who do want people just to genuinely have a good time. And if you can guide them through a bit, it’s a good thing to do.

Q. Did you find that experience helped when working with your co-stars in appearing as the leader figure?
Colin Salmon: Well, it was written. It came about through the script, my physical presence and the way I am. But it did help, yes.

Q. You’re doing a lot of work in Hollywood as well with a busy film slate coming up. Do you prefer working in England or do you like the cross-Atlantic thing?
Colin Salmon: I like to diversify. I’ve played a lot of Americans in films. I’ve recently just done The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana for HBO, I’ve worked with Paul Anderson (on Resident Evil) and Lexi Alexander on The Punisher: War Zone. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to be that diverse and to try and have many, many different things, including this character, Louis, in Clubbed.

Q. There’s a moment in Clubbed when your character talks about living outside of your comfort zone and pushing yourself. Is that a philosophy you employ as an actor, as well as a musician and charity worker?
Colin Salmon: Yeah. But one of the beautiful things about being an actor is that every time you go live on stage you’re taking yourself out of your comfort zone, so that’s what we do for a living. I mean that, because it can be pretty terrifying. But I’ve always wished to be diverse. I don’t want to get caught up in stereotyping. It’s literally about being able to visit the character… like we did with Louis in Clubbed.

We visited that world, spent time in the gym, met those people and brought it back, so that it can inform your life and inform other characters that you do. I’ve recently read Ian McEwan’s Saturday, which is a wonderful book, and a great role. He’s a brain surgeon and a family man. It’s a wonderful piece of literature. So, that would be a dream job. But there are so many things.

Read our review of Clubbed

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