INTERVIEW: Daniel Boys, currently starring in Nativity the Musical at London's Eventim Apollo

Daniel is currently playing Paul Maddens in the Musical adaptation of Nativity, the part made famous by Martin Freeman. His other credits include The Boys in the Band (Park Theatre/National Tour and transfer to Vaudeville Theatre), Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre),  Spamalot (Playhouse), Avenue Q (Gielgud / Noel Coward),  Grease (Victoria Palace), RENT (Prince of Wales & National Tour), Sweeney Todd (Royal Festival Hall), Ordinary Days (Trafalgar Studios) and Wolfboy (Trafalgar Studios). He took some time out of his run at the London Eventim Apollo to chat to us. 

Your list of credits is extensive, but what have been a few highlights for you? 

I guess firstly playing Tony in West Side Story on the European tour in I think 2005. It was always one of my dream roles as I think it’s the most perfect, beautiful musical and touring round Europe was a highlight as I saw some wonderful places. Avenue Q which I did for two and a half years in the West End was very special. Earlier this year I got to be in The Boys In The Band which was a very special job as it was my first play, a brilliant play, and a wonderful cast led by the brilliant Mark Gatiss and I loved meeting him and his wonderful husband Ian. 

You’ve worked with fellow cast member Simon Lipkin before, how is it working with him again? 

Simon is brilliant, he’s a tour de force really and he’s perfect for this part of Mr Poppy. He’s just a wonderful actor to act opposite and as this show is predominantly improvised his improvisational skills are impressive and almost intimidating! 

INTERVIEW: Simon Lipkin, currently starring in Nativity the Musical at London's Eventim Apollo

Simon is currently playing Mr Poppy in the new musical adaptation of the hit film Nativity, a part that Marc Wootton played in the film. His other credits include Rat in The Wind In The Willows (Palladium, West End), Sheriff in Whisper House (Other Palace), Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (West End), Lou Lubowitz in Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre), The Lorax in The Lorax (Old Vic Theatre), The Proprietor in Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Barlow in I Can’t Sing (London Palladium), Lonny in Rock Of Ages (Original West End Cast), Galahad in Spamalot (Original UK and International Tour), Nicky and Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q(Original West End Cast), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Arts Theatre, London), The Wedding Singer (Original UK Cast) and Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (West End). He took some time out of his run at the London Eventim Apollo to chat to us. 

You really are someone who seems to go from job to job, your list of credits are crazy! What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?

There have been some amazing moments, and I will always count myself as very lucky. Avenue Q was incredible and it was my first leading role, but there has also been some other brilliant stuff – Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory will always be a special one. There’s been a lot and they’re all very cool and special in their own ways. 

You’re pretty fresh from playing Rat in the London Palladium production of The Wind in the Willows, how was it performing in your third show at the Palladium?

The Palladium is a really cool theatre. It’s one of those where the history is undeniable and a lot of the people I respect and have grown up watching have performed on that stage. When I was 11 years old I used to go to a Saturday stage school and we all did a big show at the Palladium and I sang ‘Dedicated Follower of Fashion’ on the stage at the Palladium when I was about 11 years old so technically it was my fourth time performing there with Wind in the Willows! 

Where are they now? Any Dream Will Do!

Following on from How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, the reality TV to find the newest star of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, Andrew Loyd Webber followed it up with Any Dream Will Do. This series searched for the newest star of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. With Graham Norton returning as the host as well as John Barrowman and Zoe Tyler also returning as judges, they were joined by Denise Van Often and Bill Kenwright. Some of the series to follow were I'd Do Anything (The Search for Nancy) and Over the Rainbow (The search for Dorothy). Rival TV shows to these BBC produced series also came up in Superstar (The search for Jesus), Grease is the Word (The search for Danny and Sandy) and Fame: The musical (the search for Nick and Serena). If you are a theatre geek like me, you'll remember these TV shows! And if you don't, you'll certainly know some of the contestants. So, where are they now?

Lee Mead

After winning the show Lee went on to play the role of Joseph from the West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Adelphi Theatre. Since leaving the show his theatre credits include the title role in the Lord Arthur Savile's Crime (UK Tour); Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); Emmett in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre); lead vocalist in West End Men (Tour and Vaudeville Theatre) Prince Charming in Cinderella (London Palladium), Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour) Billy Flynn in Chicago (UK Tour) and The Prince in Snow White (New Wimbledon Theatre). He went on to be a regular character on Casualty, leaving in December 2019. As well as that, he has performed extensively since the show as a solo artist and has released numerous albums, his last in 2018 entitled 'Lee Mead - 10 Years'. 

Lee's Twitter | Lee's Instagram

Keith Jack

Losing out to Lee Mead, Keith still got to star as Joseph, he went on to play the role for three years on the UK touring production of the show, having also played the Narrator previously in the same production. His other credits include Charlie in Only the Brave (Edinburgh Fringe Festival); Alastair in the UK premiere of Sincerely Mr Toad (Pleasance Theatre); Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore (UK Tour); Sparky in Forever Plaid (St. James Theatre), toured the UK with Joe McElderry in Saturday Night at the Movies. Nick in Fame (UK Tour & Troubadour Theatre Wembley), Ally in Sunshine on Leith & Freddie Fellows in Noises Off (Pitlochry Festival Theatre) and the title role in Aladdin (The Sands Centre). Keith has released two albums, His debut was called This Time and went straight into the Top 40 and his most recent album An Evening at the Musicals was released in 2010. 

Keith's Twitter | Keith's Instagram 

The In-Between: CD Review

The In-between is an up-coming musical written by Laura Tisdall. The show follows the story of Flick who has a sister named Alice. Their parents died in a car crash when they were both young so Alice has had to become a mother figure to Flick. Flick goes off the rails and rebels against her sister and one day she finds herself in the 'in-between' which is the space between parallel worlds. Flick must decide if she wants t go back to the world she knows with her Sister or go to the world where she can start again.
Laura has released a Concept album which is something that used to be done a lot; Andrew Lloyd Webber has done this with shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.This new musical has a rock theme which means all seven tracks on the album are anthems in their own right. The thing which makes an incredible musical song is something that tells a story but then can easily stand on its own feet. The only show that I can think of which features more than about two songs with these qualities is Wicked; on this album they all have this quality.