For those who may not be familiar with your work, can you give me a little run down of some of your career highlights so far?
I started performing with Welsh National Opera then got a recurring role in ‘Pobol y Cwm’ on S4C. Since then I’ve been in Joseph and Godspell on tour playing some great parts. I’d say that’s the highlight reel in its shortest possible form!
You are about to star in The World Goes Round at the St James Theatre. For anyone not familiar with the story, what is the show about and what can people expect if they come to see it?
Some of the best music ever written. I absolutely love the songs! So I suppose I’d say it was a cabaret performance of a song cycle Kander and Ebb featuring all their hits and some lesser known gems. It’s funny and emotional in equal measure and takes you on one of those ‘journeys’ that are so important nowadays… Coming to see it, you can expect to see some powerhouse voices you might recognise from the rest of the cast! Every day I’m rehearsing I sit there in awe of these amazing performers trying to learn everything I can!
Do you have any dream stage roles that you would like to have a go at playing?
I always struggle with this question. I think in a play maybe ‘Willy Loman’ from Death of a Salesman when I’m a little older(!) and musicals, I always get people watching Book of Mormon and saying I practically am Elder Price (which I’m not sure is a compliment!) so probably that!
If you could be the opposite sex for the day, which female theatre role would you like to play?
Mrs Lovett has to be up there. Or Tracy from Hairspray maybe. This question is too difficult! There are so many amazing roles. Mary from Merrily We Roll Along is probably up there with Adelaide from Guys and Dolls.
Have you ever had any funny / disastrous on-stage experiences?
How long have we got?! Yes is the short answer, disastrous! I once slipped on a costume on the floor in a tight wing and landed neck first on the edge of a steel post immediately before my solo number. Obviously, the show must go on so on I stroll with a gash on my neck that starts to bleed. As I started singing my neck started to swell and constrict (and bleed more from the cut!) and as a result the pitch started to raise in my voice, eventually leading to me singing about a tone higher than I was intending to, so I pretty much had to learn to sing again throughout that number. It was straight out of a nightmare! Hospital soon followed and all was well with a bit of rest, nothing scares me anymore as it can’t be as bad as that!
We are living in a time where films are often being turned into stage plays and musicals. If you had to choose one, what film would you like to see adapted to the stage?
Being a giant nerd my mind jumped to Lord of the Rings, but of course it’s been done. Star Wars? It’d be good timing… but might not be great. Saving Private Ryan, people love a musical set in conflict. Mrs Doubtfire – that’d be great! Bruce Almighty? Actually, any Jim Carrey movie and I want to play whatever role he played.
Why do you think people should come and see The World Goes Round?
It’s a gripping show at the St James with songs you’ll recognise arranged in different ways by their original composers. Add to that the fact they’re performed by some extraordinary people (and me) giving it their all and having fun at the same time… why wouldn’t you come and see it?!
Thanks for having Tea With Wilma
Click here to see who else has been having Tea With Wilma
The World Goes Round is playing at the St James Theatre from 2-7 February 2016. Book tickets here