David Hunter has Tea With Wilma

For those who may not be familiar with your work, can you tell me about yourself and some of your career highlights?

My name’s David Hunter, I’m a nice, friendly, northern chap. I like autumn walks, cups of tea, sitting down and Match of the Day.

Work wise, I trained at LIPA as an actor but spent the few years that followed in a “moderately successful” (quote, Wikipedia) rock/pop band. We supported a few really well known bands including McFly on a full UK arena tour. We disbanded shortly afterwards though and I returned to acting.

After a couple of lovely jobs here and there, I joined the original cast of One Man Two Guvnors at The National Theatre, which i bring up in conversation as often as possible (mainly to annoy my girlfriend) and I continued with the show as it transferred to the West End. Soon after that, I entered Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for Jesus on ITV. I reached the semi finals and had a wonderful experience with it all.

Since then I’ve been a part of some brilliant stage productions including Seussical, The Hired Man and Once and most recently, managed to elbow my way into a feature film with a lovely little role in Nativity 3.

You are currently starring in Once The Musical, understudying the lead role of Guy. Can you tell me what the show is about for those who may not have seen it?

It’s a beautiful “boy meets girl” story, based on one of my a favourite films and driven by some incredible music. It’s grounded, raw, authentic and incredibly touching. For me, it’s just perfect. They’ve written a musical featuring some of my absolute favourite songs, so it’s a bit of a dream for me.

Once has just announced it has extended it’s booking period to July 2015. With so many west end shows opening and closing so fast these days, what do you think Once has to offer London theatre goers (over other shows) that has made it a success?

It’s a story that genuinely touches people I think, so I’m sure audiences talk about it long after they’ve seen it and recommend it without hesitation. The show’s been nurtured and cared for in it’s creation, and the quality of writing is there for all to see. It’s a beautiful piece of theatre. We need shows like Once, driven by quality and simple, beautiful storytelling.

If I asked your friends to describe you in three words, what would they be?

Home before midnight.

If you could be the opposite sex for the day, what musical theatre role would you like to have a go at playing?

Either Cathy from Last Five Years or Girl in Once. Girl is perhaps a little ballsier, so I think I’d go for her!

Do you have a favourite Musical Theatre show or song that means a lot to you?
Excluding Once (I love Once, have I mentioned Once?) I’d say If I Didn’t Believe in You from The Last Five Years and although it’s not from a musical, Again by Scott Alan is one of my all time favourite songs.

What has been the funniest or most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
I literally don’t have an answer for this! At least nothing that I’d let me Grandpa read…and he WILL read this! It’s backstage antics that seem to stick in my mind, but Grandpa would not approve, so I’m keeping schtum! Love you Gramps!

Thanks for having Tea With Wilma

See David Hunter playing the lead role of ‘Guy’ in Once the Musical at London’s Phoenix Theatre on the following dates:

February

Tues 4th

Thurs 6th (matinee only)

Mon 10th

Tues 11th

Weds 12th

Thurs 13th (two shows)

Fri 14th

Sat 15th (two shows)

Mon 17th

Wed 19th

Fri 21st