Training: Central School of Speech and Drama (BA in acting).
Theatre: The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s). John is the
longest-running Phantom in the show’s history with over 1,400 performances,
and the youngest actor to play the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables
(Palace). Mr Erlanson, a liebeslieder, in A Little Night Music (Royal National
Theatre), Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance and Friar Francis in Much Ado
about Nothing (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park), Jean Valjean in Les
Misérables (UK tour), Antipholus of Ephesus/Antipholus of Syracuse in The
Boys from Syracuse and Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice (Harrogate
Theatre), Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music (Quarry Theatre), Cleante in The
Hypochondriac and Valère in Le Médecin Volant (Courtyard Theatre), West
Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert, choir
(Royal Albert Hall), Pirelli in the Sweeney Todd 20th Anniversary Concert
(Royal Festival Hall), Enoch Snow in Carousel - Radio 3 (Royal Festival Hall
and St David’s Hall, Cardiff), guest artist in Musicals on a Summer Eve with
Michael Ball (Penshurst Place, Harewood House), The Musicals at Christmas
with Michael Ball - Radio 3 (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Usher
Hall, Edinburgh).
Thank you so much dear John for this exclusive interview for my site, and
thanks for being so kind with me every time I see you!
Sandra - What has meant for your artistic career being the Phantom of the
Opera in Webber's musical?
John - It has raised my profile in the business. Being more prominent means
that directors, producers etc., think of me when casting interesting jobs!
Sandra - What scene/song of the Phantom musical is your favourite and why.
John - The Final Lair was probably my favourite - it has a scene that I really get
my teeth into.
Sandra - What are some of the aspects you have brought into your
interpretation of the Phantom?
John - I brought myself I suppose. Each actor is unique. I just try to serve the
writing and tell the story. I didn't consciously bring anything different to the
role - once you start trying to be different for the sake of it you are destined to
fail in some way - I just tried my hardest to play the character the way I thought
he should be. No gimmicks, just realism.
Sandra - Can you tell us a good anecdote you remember when you were the
Phantom?
John - How about the time I played the entire Final Lair scene with my flies
open? Or when I forgot the very first line of Music of the Night?
Sandra - What is it, in your opinion, that makes the show so appealing?
John - If I knew the answer to that I'd have written my own musical and made
millions! It's a combination of various elements I think - costume and set
design, script, score, actors, direction and music. Plus the original Creative team
were very talented...
Sandra - What did you find most difficult to prepare for your role?
John - The physicality of the Phantom. He's a very different creature to me
physically. It was hard to accustom myself to the way I felt he ought to move.
Sandra - What is your opinion about your main character, the Phantom?
John - I don't have opinions on the characters I play. I just do what the script
requires! But I will say that he's someone who's struggling within himself...
Sandra - We know you are now playing Jean Valjean's role in Les Miserables
musical, what is in your opinion the scene which presents a maxim vocal
difficulty ?
John - The Prayer. Some days when my voice isn't quite 100% that song is
VERY difficult to sing. It's the song a lot of people are waiting to hear when
they watch the show and if it doesn't go quite right I get very disappointed
with myself. I don't like to let down people who paid good money to see me!
Sandra - Can you tell us your personal vision of Jean Valjean character?
John - As I've told you before I don't have opinions on the characters I play. I
just do what the script requires... But I will say that he's someone who's
struggling within himself too...
Sandra - Apart of the Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables musicals, what
is the role you would like to play some day?
John - I'd really like to create a role in a brand new musical.
Please, don't copy this text without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
