INTERVIEW: Michael Pickering, currently starring as Frankie Valli in the UK tour of Jersey Boys

Michael Pickering is currently touring the UK in the smash hit musical Jersey Boys playing the role of Frankie Valli.

Michaels's other credits include Mellors in Lady Chatterley’s Lover (Shaftesbury Theatre, West End), Simeon in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (London Palladium, West End), Rusty in Starlight Express (Germany), Gremio in Kiss Me Kate (Royal Albert Hall), Rick Moon in Good Morning Hong Kong (Hong Kong), Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (World Arena Tour), Robin in Batman Live (World Arena Tour), Doody in Grease (Piccadilly Theatre, West End), D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers (Rose Theatre, Kingston) Jack in All The Fun of The Fair (Garrick Theatre, West End), Ensemble cover Pepper in Mamma Mia (International Tour), Ryan in High School Musical (Hammersmith Apollo, West End) and Ensemble cover Boq in Wicked (Apollo Victoria, West End). 

You were previously part of the Jersey Boys company on a previous tour, how does it feel to be back in the show reprising the role of Frankie Valli?

The role of Frankie Valli is a constant challenge, especially whilst travelling. It’s incompletable, so I am very happy to be back playing the role.

You’ve had a while to settle into this tour now, looking back to 2015 when you were part of the show before, how has your interpretation adapted and changed?

The show as a whole hasn’t changed, but there are some very different flavours due to a different and extremely talented cast.

Pocket Size Theatre | Whats opening in 2019

There's a lot of things going on next year in the world of theatre; revivals of much loved shows, Broadway transfers, UK transfers, returns of shows previously in London, new writing and so much more! So here's our guide to the theatrical highlights of 2019! Get your diaries out... 

Aspects of Love | Southwark Playhouse | 7th January 

Six the Musical | Arts Theatre | Opens 16th January

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 

FIRST LOOK: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starring Lloyd Daniels and Danielle Hope

With a crash-of-drums-and-a-flash-of-light X Factor finalist Lloyd Daniels makes his musical theatre debut in the title role of the UKs longest running musical JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. The youngest contestant in 2009’s competition, Daniels got to the final 5 out of 250,000 entrants and performed in front of 10 million TV viewers. Since then he has performed to sold out arenas on a 56 date X Factor tour and released popular single Suburban Girl.

Danielle Hope captured the hearts of the country when she won BBC Television’s Over the Rainbow and made her professional debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Now, following a hugely successful year as Eponine in Les Misérables in London’s West End she joins the cast of Joseph as Narrator.

LLOYD DANIELS and DANIELLE HOPE star in touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Lloyd Daniels, Former X Factor contestant, and Danielle Hope, Winner of BBC's Over the Rainbow will star in  Bill Kenwright's touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Joseph and the Narrator. Ex-EastEnders actor Matthew Lapinskas will also star as Pharaoh. 

Joseph started life in 1968 as a 20-minute entertainment for an end-of-term school concert. By the time it received its Broadway premiere in 1982, it had been expanded into a full two-hour show. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, Joseph’s popular score includes the songs "Any Dream Will Do", "Close Every Door to Me", “Go, Go, Go Joseph”, “Those Canaan Days”, “Benjamin Calypso” and "One More Angel in Heaven".