PA PROFILE
If you ever get the chance to ask Rhys Livesy what it’s like to be John Barrowman’s PA, he’ll say, “somewhere is a nuclear power plant that makes Barrowmans. It’s a real job to keep up with John.”
CATH JANES
meets the PA who keeps the busy actor/singer’s life on track
PAprofile
doing a lot of things himself and when I arrange wrap
”
“He still enjoys
parties when he’s finished filming John will insist on doing the food
It’s not hardto imagine what a difficult job keeping up with John is. Apart from playing Captain Jack Harkness in Dr Who and spin-off Torchwood, he’s hosted and acted as judge on shows ranging from I’d Do Anything, Any
Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve a Problem Like
Maria? And that’s all on top of his singing and touring career – his 2007 solo album Another Side went gold, his latest self-titled album is presently in the Top 20 charts and he’s touring the UK at the end of the year. Plus there’s his theatre career, his last role being a diva and drag queen in La Cage Aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre in London. And to top it all off he’s just landed a guest role on the hit TV series Desperate Housewives and is currently in LA filming. We’re guessing that Rhys’ role as John’s PA is anything but ordinary. It’s obvious that it’s Rhys who helps hold together
this frenetic career and lifestyle. When John was inter- viewed for the Times newspaper, in its Significant Others slot, Rhys got a mention alongside the actor’s partner and family. John said: “When I hired Rhys, he asked what his job description was and I said, ‘For you to be two steps ahead of me and know exactly what I want.’ It sounds tough, but he is great and makes sure the bills
are paid and that I don’t forget birthdays.” Now Rhys reveals what life is like from his side of the desk.
How did you get the job?
Through being in the right place at the right time. My partner works at the BBC and was doing behind-the- scenes filming with John. They got talking about how John was looking for a PA and I applied for the post. Until that point I had never worked as a PA but I had done a range of jobs that gave me enough experience. I’ve been working for him for over two years now.
So what training have you done or are your skills based on experience?
I’ve done a wide range of jobs including working for a bank insurance company, working with a senior account- ant, being an estate agent branch manager and even set- ting up my own business as a handyman. All of the peo- ple I have worked with have been a big influence in my life and I’ve learned everything from people skills through to plumbing. I didn’t even need anyone to fix John’s bathroom when there was a leak because I knew how to fix it myself.
www.executivepa.com » Apr/May 2010 » 09
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44