Lookalikes line up to play Saddam

Ananova ^ | May 1, 2003

[MadIvan]

Saddam Hussein lookalikes have been out in force to take part in an open audition to play the former Iraqi dictator in a West End play.

By 11am, 14 wannabes stood queuing outside the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, west London, donning black berets, khaki flak jackets and black moustaches.

Those aiming to win the part included a woman and men much taller, smaller, fatter, thinner and paler than the real Saddam. But theatre impresario Raymond Gubbay says he's optimistic of finding the right person.

He said: "I'm pleased that so many people have turned up here. We have other lines open as well.

"I got a call from someone in Damascus and when I asked him what he had been doing recently he became very cagey, so we may end up with the real body double or the real man himself - who knows, he's out of work."

Mr Gubbay, who is putting on the show with fellow producer Michael Grade, said the chosen person did not have to be the spitting image of Saddam, but should be able to give a good impression of the real thing.

They will eventually choose two or three Saddams - with one or two to play his body doubles. The unnamed play by Alistair Beaton is due to open in the summer. The lookalikes were asked to prove themselves by holding out their arm and waving.

Speaking before the audition Steve Harris, 34, from Holloway, north London, an actor, director and former game show host, said he would love to play Saddam.

Wearing a stick-on moustache and fake tan Mr Harris, who has previously played Stalin, said: "Saddam is a brilliant character, he's got such great ego. Being an actor is about playing larger-than-life characters."

Raj Kumar, 42, from Forest Gate, east London, said he had played Saddam before in the BBC comedy, Double Take. Mr Kumar said: "He's a happy-go-lucky person. It's wonderful to play him, I love it but my friends say I shouldn't really do it because it can be dangerous.

"However I made sure I didn't get dressed up as Saddam until I got here. I'm glad I look like somebody the world knows. Every time he's in the news I'm in work."

[MadIvan]

Springtime for Saddam?

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

I had the same thought.

"Will the dancing Saddams please wait in the wings? We are only seeing singing Saddams!"

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Those guys are pikers. Now THIS guy (I call him "Dad") looks like Saddam. During Gulf War I, we actually called him that, and he answered the phone that way - LOL:

[Revolting cat!]

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Pick the real Saddam (above). LOL (That's my dad on the left.)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Woah - Revolting Cat! posted before me. : ) (BURT REYNOLDS IS NOT MY DAD. LOL)

[Howlin]

Sorry, he does not look evil enough!

[CWOJackson]

Let me make this PERFECTLY CLEAR right up front. I am not making fun of your father or picking on him.

That's being said...I think the pocket protector blows the whole image. Now if you have a photo of him in a bowling shirt.

[Scenic Sounds]

Hey, that's pretty close.

My daughter sent me an item a couple of weeks back. It seems that Sadam's doctor recently met with all of the official look-alikes and reassured them that, because Sadam was still alive, they would not be out of work. Unfortunately, he said (holding up a saw), he did lose his right arm.

[Revolting cat!]

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Um......I choose door #2. Did I win?

[Revolting cat!]

(Currently unavailable.)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

That's being said...I think the pocket protector blows the whole image. Now if you have a photo of him in a bowling shirt.

He's not wearing a pocket protector - those are unharnessed pens and pencils, buddy! He was a sign man, and a bold one! LOL (And he didn't bowl. Sorry. : )

[Revolting cat!]

(Tan, rested and available!)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Sorry, he does not look evil enough!

Well, not at that moment. : ) (Try coming home at 3:00AM at age 16!)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

LOL - that's a great joke. (Fortunately, Dad was not an Iraqi. He might have been "recruited".)

[CWOJackson]

Sorry.

How about photos of him with an AK-47 and a fedora?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Um......I choose door #2. Did I win?

Yes. ; )

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

ROTFL

Hmmmmm...no AK, but he brought a grenade home from WWII. (That's not gonna work, is it?)