The following is a transcript of a chat with Stuart Devenie, the distinguished New Zealand actor and drama teacher, who played Governor Croque on "Jack of All Trades" as well as various roles on "Young Hercules" and "Hercules: the Legendary Journeys," including the evil god Cernunnos. This took place on Saturday, December 16th, 2000, from 6 PM to 10:45 PM, EST (or Sunday afternoon for New Zealanders) at the Sam Raimi Yahoo Club.
Mr. Devenie was on the line live from the home of his friend Darien Takle in Auckland. I served as his typist. As I'm a terrible typist, I often had to condense his extremely eloquent responses to various questions. Also, as the scrolling of the screen moved fairly quickly, I often only saw the most recent question to relay to him, and so some may have been inadvertently overlooked (like japjoea's question on acting!) I did try, however, to capture his expressions and figures of speech. Apart from the occasional short "i" in place of the short "e" sound (a bit more like "niver" for the word "never" for example) that marks the New Zealand accent, his voice is very smooth, deep, and British-like. Much like that of the villainous Count he played in "Greece Is Burning."
The origin of this chat: after "Jack's" cancellation was announced, Mr. Devenie posted a message to the Studios USA message board thanking the fans for having been so loyal and supportive. One thing led to another, and through the efforts of Bill Cole (Lasermn) Mr. Devenie agreed to a live chat with his fans. As it grew closer to Christmas, his enthusiasm grew, and we advertised the event as "Governor Croque's Christmas Party." The night before the official chat, we held a test run in which Jordi (Jordi32196) and Melody (sirenia2525) chatted with Mr. Devenie about the influence of Pacific Renaissance on the NZ economy and its acting community, his experiences on stage and with "Shortland Street," the origins of much of the humor of "Jack" in British pantomine, his theories on the satire and anachronmism in "Jack," and how tremendously rewarding the show had been for him personally. His daughter was in the hospital after dental surgery, and after visiting her, he was planning to attend the Auckland Theatre Company's Christmas party that evening.
He promised to "plug" the chat, and sure enough, the next day we had not one but three surprise celebrity guests: Stephen (Capt. Brogard) Papps, Kevin (Ares) Smith, and Darien Takle (aka Cyrene, Xena's "mum') at whose home Stuart was staying. She later got on the line "live," while the other two simply called in on a second line, and relayed their comments to Stuart who then relayed them to me. As I was logging in, Stuart briefly put Darien on the line to "introduce" us, and she was pleased to learn that she was on television as we spoke! (the WGN re-run of "Haunting of Amphipolis.") She was also very excited about her upcoming convention appearance in Pasadena. She then said she was off to have a spot of tea, and asked if I had any suggestions; I suggested "Earl Grey, hot," which she said was her choice as well. Then she said "Talk to you in a bit, luv" and Stuart was on. (NOTE: "joxerfan" is me, and "joxerSfan" is my friend Jenna, aka Emilia01; "chat_guest2001" is always the guest, unless it's in blue, and then it's me!)
Blue Italics = questions that were answered, and/or my editorial comments
Bold Red = Stuart (and Stephen, Darien, and Kevin)
Regular = chatters' comments
joxerfan: ok, here's the deal
blacky_blacky: can anyone just jump in?
watcher_grrl: Raising our hands?*g*
lasermn: I have no idea what the ground rules are in these chats when The Governor appears, can anyone help me out?
joxerfan: Stuart Devenie is on the phone w/ me right now live from Auckland
sirenia2525: okay
krissykfk:
sirenia2525: like before
joxerfan: I will type the stuff he says as "chat guest 2001"
watcher_grrl Yahoo!s
sirenia2525: okay
joxerfan: so......have at it!
indianajgirl44: cool
japjoea: I'd like that myself.
lasermn: OK, I'm going to sit here and wait for Stuarts arrival
joxersfan: lets go!
japjoea: That works
joxersfan applauds
t_antares2000: okay
bummer2323: i would like to know which he had more fun playing, the marquis
or the governor
japjoea: I would love to know his favorite ep.
chat_guest2001: Hello, from our very hot Christmas summer!
Jordi32196: Hello, Stuart! Delighted to have you with us again!
hbkidywo: Hello Stuart!
joxersfan: Welcome!
sirenia2525: hello:)
lasermn stands up and applauds
indianajgirl44: hello!!
blacky_blacky: welcome
t_antares2000: hello
watcher_grrl: Hello Stuart!!!
krissykfk:
joxersfan gives
chat_guest2001: I had more fun playing the governor!
bummer2323: cool
indianajgirl44: figures
chat_guest2001: The marquis' costume was incredibly uncomfortable...
Shirley_LeVasseur: lol
chat_guest2001: though I had fun playing both...
lasermn: lasermn stand and applauds The Governor
bummer2323: I can imagine!!
blacky_blacky: did you do all your own stunts in the Marquis episode?
chat_guest2001: It was quite difficult in some sense...
Mayfair51 joined c_samraimi:1.
sirenia2525: hey Mayfair:)
chat_guest2001: you had to make some distinction between the two parts
Shirley_LeVasseur: (hi Mayfair)
Mayfair51: Hello!!!1
watcher_grrl: Who was the crazy kid that came up with Mr. Nipples?
chat_guest2001: and the Marquis as a guest character had to fit in with the
general style of all the other guests,
Jordi32196: (Pardon me if I don't say much, as I'm making the transcript.)
joxersfan: And who decided to kill him?
chat_guest2001: such as Blackbeard, King George, etc.
watcher_grrl: *g*
japjoea: I was wondering about any acting advice yu might have.
chat_guest2001: the guest stars were slightly madder than the regular cast...
sirenia2525: lol
indianajgirl44: hehe
watcher_grrl: hee hee!
chat_guest2001: in fact after playing the Marquis I had much more respect for
Croque
chat_guest2001: he seemed quite normal after that
Shirley_LeVasseur: lool
japjoea: We noticed
bummer2323: how cool!!
joxersfan: funny
indianajgirl44: wow hehehe
Jordi32196: LOL!
lasermn: Governor, you were a scruffy looking prisoner in the episode where
you were in jail, I always wondered what you looked like without any make-up
sirenia2525: catch the acting advice question, august?
bummer2323: he's right, the guests are very over the top!
hbkidywo: I loved the way Croque became a "pal" to Jack as the eps went on
japjoea: I could use it
watcher_grrl: yeah - bonding1
chat_guest2001: Hmmmmm
watcher_grrl: (oops)
Jordi32196: Talks to a cow puppet... Normal... yeah, I can see that. *g*
chat_guest2001: similar to Croque, just without the wig
watcher_grrl: LOL!
bummer2323: lOL... jordi!
sirenia2525: Jordi!;)
Shirley_LeVasseur: lol jordi
chat_guest2001: the wig doesn't go over too well at the supermarket
japjoea: HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
watcher_grrl: *g*
indianajgirl44: hehehehe
Shirley_LeVasseur: no?
hbkidywo: How did you enjoy playing "the Dragoon" in Love Potion #10 episode?
bummer2323: aack! supermarked...wig....I love this guy!
Jordi32196: LOL!
chat_guest2001: Love Potion # 10 was one of my favorite episodes
sirenia2525: august--acting advice...and I guess the wig was part of
lasermn's question?
chat_guest2001: it was great fun
bummer2323 gives
Mayfair51: Mine, too!
japjoea: Cool!!
lasermn: Governor, did you make off with any mementos, like taking Mr.
Nipples with you for posterity?
watcher_grrl: Or, what was left of Mr. nipples?
Mayfair51: If not, I want it!
Jordi32196: According to Stuart, they made him look so pale by not putting
any makeup on him. *g*
japjoea: Don't hurt him, I'm still waiting for my advice
watcher_grrl: Yeah!
chat_guest2001: Mr. Nipples is still in the Pacific Renaissance prop room
Mayfair51: Ebay him!!
sirenia2525: what will happen to the props?
bummer2323: they need to share the wealth!!
chat_guest2001: (but is in negotiations for his own series next year)
blacky_blacky: what was it like playing opposite "napoleon?"
japjoea: To bad.
Shirley_LeVasseur: LOL
hbkidywo: I hope that means they are ready incase something happens, keeping
props there
t_antares2000: they should auction some props off
watcher_grrl: I'd buy it - because I'm rather sad.. *g*
joxersfan: funny!
Jordi32196: Somebody rescue Mister Nipples!
watcher_grrl: LOL!
indianajgirl44: hehehe
sirenia2525: hey slow down with typing!
krissykfk:
bummer2323: use them for hte movie of the week!!
chat_guest2001: by the way, I notice that on the website, they're selling property on Pulau
Pulau
sirenia2525: can't read the ???s
chat_guest2001: It's Margui, is it?
sirenia2525: yes
Shirley_LeVasseur: What do you think of Josh Becker as a director? :)
chat_guest2001: The buyer of the Governor's Mansion should be aware...
japjoea: I can't keep up!!
joxersfan: typing to fast.....cannot keep up!
chat_guest2001: that there is an existing tenant
Jordi32196: Yes they are, and I own the Governor's Manor! LOL
Mayfair51: I want beachfront property!
Jordi32196: Yes, Margui. She's terrific.
chat_guest2001: so the Governor and Mr. Nipples come with it
watcher_grrl: I'll take Jack and Em's place!
sirenia2525: cool
hbkidywo: I want the Drunken Pig
watcher_grrl: Not a problem there....*g*
Shirley_LeVasseur: lol
Jordi32196: LOL!!!!
joxersfan: I have a question
japjoea: Me too.
joxersfan: Who decided to off MR. NIPPLES?
bummer2323: LOL!
chat_guest2001: Relating to the props....
watcher_grrl: Poor thing!
lasermn: Stuart, have you heard any rumors about Ren Pic selling the rights
to to JOAT someone else?
chat_guest2001: it's the most ecologically aware company I've ever seen
watcher_grrl: *g*
joxersfan: Poor croque goes through sooo much! Then they go and squish his
best friend!
bummer2323: Really?
chat_guest2001: because all the props are recycled into other shows
japjoea: Mr. Nipples will be avenged!!
bummer2323: not to mention the actors...
watcher_grrl: YES!!!!
chat_guest2001: it's not just the props, but the actors too who are recycled!
hbkidywo: I bet Mr Nipples will reappear on Cleo or Xena
watcher_grrl: I hope!
watcher_grrl: Awww...they're gone too!
Mayfair51: And the Marquis, too
watcher_grrl: *g*
chat_guest2001: on the rights being sold....
bummer2323:
Mayfair51: yes?
chat_guest2001: that was a rumor circulating here a couple of months ago...
joxersfan: crosses fingers
jackaltrades joined c_samraimi:1.
watcher_grrl: crosses toes
bummer2323:
Mayfair51: shall we start sending swords?
joxersfan: and?
japjoea: I would like to ask about the acting advice now?
chat_guest2001: I don't think anything has come of it though...
watcher_grrl: *passes out while holding breath*
bummer2323: AAACCCKKK
joxersfan: Oh NO!
hbkidywo: I noticawwww :-(
bummer2323 yells, "For crying out loud!"
t_antares2000: :(
watcher_grrl: GRRR, ARGH!!!
watcher_grrl screams in a mad fit
chat_guest2001: "Laura Sue Dean" from Whoosh! seems to have her finger on a very
accurate pulse, and some of the information we get (i.e. from her) comes from a very accurate source
japjoea: WAKE UP WATCHER!!!
hbkidywo: They better at least rerun the shows in second run.
bummer2323: who should we send our petitions too for the rights to be
sold!!!!
Shirley_LeVasseur: oo
watcher_grrl: lol! Thanks, jap!
joxersfan: good idea Angie!
lasermn: Stuart, if the rights are sold, how will the actors all get
together, if the new buyers wants all the leads?
watcher_grrl: nooooo!!!!
bummer2323: there's still plenty of swords out there!
japjoea: No prob!
chat_guest2001: well, to get the actors, they would just ring our agents
japjoea: Let's get cracking
watcher_grrl: *cracks whip* SEND THOSE SWORDS! *g*
Mayfair51: I got some swords left! LOL!
lasermn: Hiya "Laura Sue" I was hopeing you would show up
japjoea: Could you ask him about other projects he is working on?
bummer2323: i wonder if the cast and crew ever heard about our sword
campaign?
watcher_grrl: That'd be nice
chat_guest2001: on the swords....
chat_guest2001: oh yes we did
japjoea: I'm sure they did.
watcher_grrl: Whooohooo!
bummer2323:
chat_guest2001: and we appreciated it hugely
Jordi32196: Bruce certainly did, Bummer. He and I talked about it, remember?
Mayfair51: Bows humbly!!!
japjoea: See...
chat_guest2001: the swords were a wonderful idea
joxersfan: We tried!
watcher_grrl cheers
bummer2323: but bruce lurks occasionally...i wondered aobut the others
chat_guest2001: I'm sure that all the people at Studios USA appreciated it as well
lasermn: Stuart, it was Mayfair51 that suggested the swords, she is part of
our chat right now
bummer2323: COOL
Mayfair51: Thanks!
japjoea: You never now.
chat_guest2001: on current projects
watcher_grrl: Uh, oh...my time is up....thanks guys! And thank you Stuart!!!
watcher_grrl: bye!
bummer2323: bye watcher
chat_guest2001: I just finished playing a small part in a film called "Her
Majesty"
sirenia2525: bye
Mayfair51: Bye, watcher!
watcher_grrl: Vive la resistance!!!
watcher_grrl left c_samraimi:1.
japjoea: Bye.
chat_guest2001:It's about the Royal Tour of New Zealand in 1953
chat_guest2001: (Queen Elizabeth's tour)
japjoea: She was cute.
lasermn: Stuart, will the movie appeear here in the US
japjoea: NOT THE QUEEN!
chat_guest2001: and it's produced by Walter Coblenz who produced "All The
Presidents' Men"
bummer2323: hope he didnt play the queen!
chat_guest2001: among other films
Shirley_LeVasseur: cool :)
chat_guest2001: it was directed by an American named Mark Gordon - this is
his debut feature
Jordi32196: I bet Nigel did ;-)
japjoea: It's a funny visual thugh.
bummer2323: LOL...jordi
blacky_blacky: im back
chat_guest2001: And I didn't play the Queen *this* time!
bummer2323: LOL
sirenia2525: lol!
krissykfk:
japjoea: HAHA!!!
bummer2323: I REALLY love this guy!!
joxersfan: have you ever visited the StudiosUSA site for "Jack of all
Trades", Stuart?
bummer2323: This whole cast and crew seem like the greatest people!
chat_guest2001: Alison Wall (who plays Minya in "Xena") worked on the costumes for
this film
chat_guest2001: she's very well known as a costume designer too
Shirley_LeVasseur: Minya RULES
bummer2323: That's a neat tidbit
japjoea: Could you please what he would like to try in the future?
lasermn: The costumes are one of the things I liked sooo much about JOAT
chat_guest2001: Yes, Jenna, I have visited the website
bummer2323: ME, too!
japjoea: Ask, that is
chat_guest2001: I try to visit about once a week or every 10 days or so
joxersfan: Thank you!
japjoea: Cool!
sirenia2525: nice
indianajgirl44: Mr. Devenie, how did u feel when u got the part as Croque?
hbkidywo: I hope they update the official site soon.
Shirley_LeVasseur: :)
joxersfan: You should visit the Message Board and talk with us!
bummer2323: it's so cool to see you on the mb, Stuart!
chat_guest2001: I believe it's the 3rd most popular site on Studios USA after
"Hercules" and "Xena"
bummer2323: ANd much friendlier
Shirley_LeVasseur: it is (3rd most popular)
hbkidywo: That's awesome!
lasermn: Do you know if any other cast/crewmembers visited our message board
with any regularity, Studart?
bummer2323: yep, but herc and xena don't have our special guests!!
japjoea: No Flame wars!
Jordi32196: That's great to hear. :-)
Shirley_LeVasseur: LOL
bummer2323: we have been the luckiest mb!!
indianajgirl44: that's 4 sure
Mayfair51: Too bad they cancelled our show
Shirley_LeVasseur: (I think it's more like, very limited, infrequent flame
wars)
chat_guest2001: On getting the role as the Governor
japjoea: Easily.
joxersfan: So many wonderful actors and crew members have joined us!
bummer2323: and such friendly and interesting members!
chat_guest2001: I was in a play called "12 Angry Men" in Auckland
chat_guest2001: I got a ring from my agent
bummer2323 grabs
joxersfan: i know that play
joxersfan: Happy, Angie?
chat_guest2001: Another fellow from the cast got an audition as well
chat_guest2001: he was rather short and round
bummer2323 gives
chat_guest2001: and the fellow who auditioned right before me was also short and round
japjoea: That is a great play
Jordi32196: LOL
chat_guest2001: and I thought I wouldn't have a chance if they were looking
for a "pudding"
Mayfair51: Short and round, like Napoleon?
sirenia2525: :)
chat_guest2001: but after 5 weeks, they rang and said they wanted to use me
Jordi32196: LOL!
bummer2323: I can't imagine a "pudding" playing the governor
chat_guest2001: and I was delighted of course
japjoea: Good ol' Nappy!
bummer2323: we're delighted too!
chat_guest2001: not quite as short as Napoleon though
sirenia2525: lol!
indianajgirl44: hehehehe
Mayfair51: Nobody could have done a better job!
bummer2323: LOL
lasermn: Stuart, at the time you got the call to play Croque, did you know
who the other leads were?
bummer2323: exactly
Jordi32196: You played the part perfectly, Stuart!
joxerfan: by the way, feel free to ask more questions, if we missed them
earlier
hbkidywo: How was it working with Danielle Cormack?
joxersfan: Played to perfection!
japjoea: I'm still having trouble, It won't scoll corectlly
sirenia2525: japjoea's acting advice
hbkidywo: Croque was THE Governor
chat_guest2001: On Danielle Cormack....
chat_guest2001: I had known her before....
japjoea: I would like to know about advice for a begining actor
chat_guest2001: but that was the first time we had worked together
Click HERE for Page Two, in which Stephen Papps makes an appearance via telephone!
