Five questions with Gabriel Vick of 'Mrs. Doubtfire'

The star of Mrs. Doubtfire brings the beloved character to life every night – but also makes her very much his own with incredible impressions.

Gabriel Vick (A Little Night Music, Avenue Q) has been with the West End production of Mrs. Doubtfire since its beginning, playing the down and out Daniel Hillard who transforms his appearance and pretends to be a Scottish nanny to spend more time with his children. He caught up with London Theatre Magazine about what it takes to become Mrs. Doubtfire and his favourite moment in the show.

Becoming Mrs. Doubtfire each night must be quite the process! Talk to us about your physical transformation for the role and how it feels to work with prosthetics?

Well, physically it is a feat and a special mention must go to my quick change team of dressers and “WHAMP” (wigs, hair, make-up and prosthetics) who make the changes between Daniel and Doubtfire possible – sometimes as quick as 18 seconds! The entire transformation is the mask, body suit, dress, wig, glasses, teeth, hair, lipstick, shoes and earrings!

Robin Williams made Mrs. Doubtfire an icon. How do you stay true to his legacy while bringing your own twist to the role?

It is an iconic role and as a 12-year-old boy the movie was a huge part of the formation of my understanding of comedy. Robin Williams gave us such a treat. I approach the role with care, knowing that people love it as much as I do. I also know that I needed to bring myself to it otherwise it would lack life. Each of us is unique and I like to trust that – I bring my own personality, knowledge, experience and fun to the role and in that way, I am freed of feeling in anyone’s shadow.

You do a number of impressions in the show, from Kermit to Donald Trump. How did you hone this skill?

It took a lifetime of imitating Macaulay Culkin, Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Jim Carrey, Family Guy and of course, Robin Williams. I love playing with my voice; it is my favourite toy. I am constantly trying things out in my dressing room with my voice recorder and have added so many impressions to my roster: Joe Biden, Jeremy Clarkson, Keir Starmer, Alan Rickman, Jeff Goldblum, Deadpool and the list continues to grow.

What is your favourite moment to perform in the musical?

It’s definitely the ‘pie in the face’ scene. It’s a farce of perfectly orchestrated comic rhythm and when it flows it is a moment of beauty and joy. Also, it ends with a pie in the face – what else is theatre for?!

What’s been your most memorable reaction or interaction with the audience during a performance?

When I throw the fruit at Stu, I blame the audience. However, once a child called me out on it and shouted “She did it.” I paused for a moment and then said “I think it’s past somebody’s bedtime.” It brought the house down.

Book Mrs. Doubtfire tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk before the show closes in April.

This interview first appeared in the January 2025 issue of London Theatre Magazine

Photo credit: Gabriel Vick in Mrs. Doubtfire. (Photo courtesy of production)