Richard la Grange has taken children’s parties to a whole new level, making every young superhero-loving child’s dream when Spider-Man arrives at their party.
Spidey For Hire has grown so much that La Grange, a sales engineer by day and a budding musician, has added dozens more superhero outfits to his wardrobe — and is even Santa when needed.
Q: When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing you do?
A: We are woken up every morning by the two kittens we just adopted. After knocking everything off the bedside pedestal, they choose to take a casual stroll over our pillows, trampling on our heads in the process.
If this doesn’t wake us up, they proceed to have a wrestling match on top of us.
They occasionally bite and claw us through the covers as they continue to bounce around.
When we finally relent, they demand extended belly rubs and an endless supply of food.
Q: If you could spend 24 hours as a woman, how would you spend that time?
A: I would start my day by doing the dishes. When I finish with all of my household chores, I would spoil myself with a light snack followed by a three-hour yoga session … just joking!
I have no idea what I would do, to be honest. Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be something fun and exciting.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
A: I enjoy a couple of brewskies, but only during the festive season — Spidey can’t afford to get a beer boep.
I also enjoy 90% dark chocolate, but only on weekends. That and a strong cup of joe.
Q: Being Spider-Man is hard work. Take us through your fitness regime.
A: I try follow a healthy and balanced diet combined with some intermittent fasting. On some days, I adhere to the OMAD diet (One Meal A Day), which restricts your eating to only one hour per day.
My training programme typically consists of mild calisthenics and resistance training.
I also enjoy visiting the trampoline park. People don’t realise how beneficial trampoline jumping is for you, as it is a very low-impact exercise.
I also go mountain biking whenever I can. Then I spend my Saturdays running around in a spandex suit. Whatever I’m doing seems to be doing the trick.
Q: What’s the worst thing a kid has done to you at a party?
A: The worst thing is if I do not succeed in entertaining them. Also, if a kid tells me I’m not the real Spider- Man.
Though I may have convinced most, there is always this little man who is obviously older and wiser than the rest of the group.
I do recall an incident, though, where I had just arrived at a party and saw a little kid running towards me.
He must have been four or five years old. This is quite normal in my line of business, so I held out my arms for an anticipated hug. To my surprise, I got punched in the gut instead.
Q: Who is actually your favourite superhero?
A: No-one in particular. If I had to choose it would probably be Deadpool or Iron Man. They both have a good sense of humour.
Q: What superpowers do you wish you had and why?
A: I think being able to fly would be super cool. Imagine flying to work without any traffic. Laser eyes would also be helpful if the taxis get in my way.
But what I would actually like is the ability to shoot webs. Not for me, but for all the kids who ask me to do it.
I have come up with some good excuses over the years — I forgot my web-shooters at home or I ran out of web fluid, or, my personal favourite, I’m saving my webs for when Green Goblin arrives.
Q: Favourite TV programme/film?
A: I really enjoyed the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. I believe James Gunn handled it brilliantly.
I also found the new Deadpool and Wolverine film to be quite enjoyable. We were so inspired we chose to learn the “Bye Bye” dance by NSYNC.
We began doing it at parties, and everyone really liked it and even participated. Even Santa and his little helper Elf partook in this TikTok craze. I’m not exactly the greatest dancer.
Some might claim I possess two left feet. Practise makes perfect though.
Q: Describe your personality in three words.
A: Passionate, open-minded, adventurous.
Q: If you had a warning label, what would it read?
A: Do not disturb!
Q: Any fears or phobias?
A: I have a mild fear of heights. I can handle normal heights, like climbing on the roof, trees and so on.
I’m referring to very high places where there’s no chance of survival if you fall.
I used to be an electrician and worked on tall buildings with scaffolding, but I always required a safety harness. Once I am secured, I can function normally.
Q: If you won the Lotto, what’s the first thing you would do with the money?
A: I would take my family on an expensive holiday to Hawaii or somewhere tropical so we can lounge on those fancy deck chairs, sipping cocktails and taking in the sights, making memories, bathing in the sun, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying those magical sunsets with the people I love most. What more could a person ask for?
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
A: After returning from our prolonged holiday in Hawaii, I think I might take up underwater hockey. I’ve been considering it for a while now.
I’m very competitive, and I can hold my breath for a long time underwater. I really think I have what it takes to do it professionally. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Q: Your favourite childhood memory?
A: I had an awesome childhood with so many great memories. One that comes to mind is the day we built a ramp for our BMX bikes.
We were competing to see who could jump the furthest or ramp the highest.
The only problem was that the ramp was on the other side of the road. You needed to look for cars as you sped towards the ramp to get the best jump … well, let’s just say I didn’t look well enough as I rode into an oncoming car and went flying over the bonnet.
To make matters worse, it was a cop car. I wasn’t hurt, just a bit shaken up. It was still a lot of fun though, and I remember it like it was yesterday.
