INTERVIEW WITH ENTWISTLE 
Actor Burt Kwouk

The interview was conducted by Patrick Brooke, of the Summer Wine website, in Holmfith on November 29, 2003 

Burt Kwouk, 73, is best known globally for his roles in the six Pink Panther films during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He played Cato, the excitable oriental sidekick who staged comical surprise attacks on his boss, bungling Detective Insp Cloueau, played by Peter Sellers. Since January, 2003, Burt has featured in Last of the Summer Wine playing Entwistle, a Chinese electrical handyman from Hull.


Patrick - First of all many thanks for taking part in the interview. It is really nice to see you in Holmfirth and it must be a nice change to come here when you're not actually filming. 

Burt - It is a pleasure to be here and I have enjoyed looking round the town.  It has almost been like the "Pied Piper of Holmfirth". I have popped into a shop and the crowds followed. I hope the shopkeepers were happy! 

P - I know we only have chance for a short interview so I will get the ball rolling straight away with a few questions asked by fans of Summer Wine Online. The first asks if you were a big fan of LOTSW before you got the part?  

B - I am afraid to admit I was not what you would call a big fan. But I enjoyed watching Last of the Summer Wine when I had chance. I knew many of the actors personally and used to watch because of that. There is no doubt about it, it is a lovely programme. 

 P - Why do you think it is so popular?  How would you describe the magic of LOTSW?

B  - It is a  very pleasant and easy-going programme, a lovely gentle comic show. There is no one charging around, and even the slapstick is quite gentle - certainly more gentle than I am used to! 

P - How were you offered the part in LOTSW? 

B -  A script arrived in the post and I was hooked.  Of course, Roy had written the part
especially for me, without me knowing, which was very clever.  Roy's ability to
write a part specifically for an actor, bringing out the most in that actor,
is definitely the work of a genius.  And like most genius's, it certainly
defies analysis.  Reading the script, I could recognise my character straight
away - it was quite amazing. 

P - Did you decide to take the part straight away?

B - Yes, I suppose there were three things which convinced me.  First of all,
obviously, the script, and I could see my character in there.

Secondly, the strength of the existing cast. As I said before, I knew many of
them anyway, they are of a similar age, and it was an opportunity to work
alongside my friends.

Thirdly, the opportunity to work in a programme like Last of the of the Summer Wine, which after all is a national institution. Any actor asked to participate in a National
Institution could not possibly turn it down!

P - What was it like meeting the rest of the LOTSW cast when you arrived for
filming?

B - I remember thinking "What a Jolly Bunch of People". Everyone involved with
the show was very nice and welcoming. Of course, like I said, earlier, I knew a
lot of them already and it was lovely to have a chance to work alongside them.

P - What did you think of Holmfirth as the location ? Had you been here before?

B - I have another confession to make...I am afraid to say I had previously
never heard of Holmfirth!  Huddersfield stuck in my mind because you have to
change trains there!  Having said that, I like Holmfirth and the surrounding countryside very much.  The mystique and geography of the area, and the lovely rolling hills, are an ideal location for LOTSW. 

P - I am afraid we are fast running out of time, any final points you would like to make to fans via the website. 

B  - Just to really add again that I feel it is quite a privilege being part of
the longest running sitcom in the Universe.  Like I said before, LOTSW is a
Great British Institution, and one to be proud of.  However, just in case Alan
Bell is reading this, that does not mean I am happy to work for less ? I still
want paying!