Tim McArthur Interview

April 11, 2025

Tim McArthur Interview

Q. Tim, congratulations on your fifth year of Eurovision Your Decision. Can you tell us how it all started?

A. Well, it originally started at the Jermyn Street Theatre back in 2003/4 as a simple cabaret show with four singers and a piano. This was the time when we did not have access to multimedia. It was four of us singing “live” to a piano. Still the craziness with all the costume changes, madness, but no video capabilities. In 2021, I was programming the Cabaret Lounge at Above The Stag Theatre in Vauxhall, it was my first season as Programmer. Because we had a super douper video screen in the Cabaret Lounge, I encouraged the acts to use it in their shows. Then the idea came to me, let’s do “Eurovision Your Decision” and bring it to the modern day, use projections, short videos, make it like Eurovision and hence here we are for our fifth year.

“It’s camp, bonkers, silly. If you love the Eurovision Song Contest you will love this.”

Q. This year the London run is at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern but can you tell us where else the show has played and where we might see it in the future?

A. In 2021 and 2022 EYD played at the Cabaret Room at Above The Stag, then in 2023, we went to Wonderville. This was the year the UK was hosting Eurovision itself. You could feel the excitement building around the competition. We were also invited to perform the show in Liverpool, the host city. We did three performances there, whilst London was running at the same time with a different cast. It was manic but a lot of fun, 6 sets of tiny hands, four hairy muffs and two gorilla costumes. Last year we played for two weeks at the New Kings Head Theatre, our biggest venue yet. I would love to be able to perform EYD every year now, a seasonal show a bit like panto! Watch this space, if all goes well, we have big plans…

Q. There is always huge excitement around Eurovision. Can you tell us about the show and what audiences can expect?

A. The show is based on the competition itself. 14 songs are performed from various years of the Eurovision Song Contest. Sometimes the songs have a certain crazy style about them, well we add to that and give the songs another little comedic twist. All the songs are sung live by 4 professional performers. Then in the interval the audience scan a QR code to their phones and vote for their favourite performance of the night. As performers we have no idea who is going to win that night. As the run continues, I am not going to lie, it’s starting to get a little bit competitive between the four of us (lolz). The second half we travel around Europe to receive the votes from the European Juries, this score is then added to the public vote to reveal the grand winner of the night. It’s camp, bonkers, silly. If you love the Eurovision Song Contest you will love this. Eurovision Your Decision is my love letter to the competition.

Q. I’m sure many fans of the show will be returning to see the 2025 run. What new material will they be able to enjoy this year?

A. Well, because we have four years’ of material, selecting the song choices is fun. As we have some numbers that bring the house down. We will be revisiting a few songs from year one, there is rumour of a red head returning, just a little bit more! Also, this will be the first time we will be performing a song in this year’s official competition on May 17^th. It was too good not to do and I couldn’t wait till next year… and a few more up our sleeves. I don’t think the crowd will be disappointed.

Q. The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is a great venue and very easy to get to. What do you see the venue adding to the show this year?

A. I love the RVT and the team who worked there. For the past 10 years I have been lucky to direct the RVT panto. I know the space really well and normally I am out front watching the talent. But this time I shall be standing on the stage and playing to the amazing crowd and audiences who love and support the RVT. Everyone so far has said the RVT is the perfect home for EYD. I can’t wait….

Q. The show boasts an impressive cast of four. Tell us more about who is in the London cast.

A. Lucy Penrose who has played Katie for the past 4 years returns, to deliver her hosting duties and amazing vocal skills. She is very competitive, says she isn’t, but she is (Lolz). I really could not do this show with her my comedy partner in crime. David McMullan returns for his third year on the show. He is a West End star, and spent 8 years in the Book of Mormon, he loves doing this show. Jo Wickham, whom I have directed in a few shows. Last year a play about the relationship between Benjamin Britten and David Hemmings, and was my Bakers wife to my Baker in Into The Woods a few years back, pops her EYD cherry with us finally.

The feedback we get every year is once people realise there are just 4 if us in the show and doing every-thing they find it hysterical. Backstage the quick costume and wig changes are another show. EYD is a full on, high energy, last year performing as Jedwood nearly killed me! There is one song this year, that may do the same thing…

Q. You’ve been keeping busy with writing, directing and performing. Can you tell us about some of your most recent projects?

A. Last Christmas I made my panto debut playing a baddie (Captain Hook) in Peter Pan in Hastings. My 7^th year performing in panto there. I turned 50 in January and took some time out to celebrate that and recharge the old batteries. Coming up I have, Tim and Jerry, my solo show. A celebration of the music and lyrics of Jerry Herman at the Bridge Theatre Penge on May 27^th and 28^th. My comedy character, Sister Mary, makes her debut on May 26^th at the Crazy Coqs in “7”, A new comedy show exploring the seven deadly sins we commit to the earth. Its part of Janie Dees “Beautiful World” Cabaret season. Very much looking forward to that. Then a few things I am waiting to confirm and see how they pan out. That’s the life of a self-employed creative, you never really know what’s around the corner. But for now, I have to get my Greek out, be camp, be silly, and let the Eurovision Song Contest commence.