INTERVIEW: Simon Bailey, currently playing Tommy De Vito in the UK tour of Jersey Boys

Simon is currently reprising the role of Tommy De Vito in the new UK tour of Jersey Boys after having previously played the role in West End Production. His other credits include Whisper House (The Other Palace), Reverend Billy Hightower in Bat Boy (Southwark Playhouse), Man in Marry Me A Little (St. James Theatre), Liam in I Can't Sing! The X-Factor Musical (London Palladium), Raoul in Phantom of the Opera (London & National Tour) and Enjolras in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre). He took the time out of rehearsals before the show kicked off its new tour to speak to us about this upcoming production of Jersey Boys. 

You’re returning to the role of Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys after playing it in the West End, now on tour. What made you want to return to this role and show?

Jersey Boys has been one of, if not my favourite show, since it opened. Tommy is such a great character to play. After the show closed in London, I didn’t feel I was done with him! I’m so grateful to be asked back.

How do you think your interpretation of the role could change this time round? 

Well, we’ve had 8 months off so it feels fresh again – I’m also with different actors this time, so I listen and respond to them differently. That’s the best part of my job.

JERSEY BOYS Tour Full Cast & Extra Dates

Due to overwhelming demand, a further 12 dates have been announced for the second UK & Ireland Tour of the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning musical JERSEY BOYS, taking the tour through to March 2019. 

The newly announced 2018/19 dates are The Marlowe Canterbury (2 – 13 October 2018), New Victoria Theatre Woking (16 – 27 October 2018), Bristol Hippodrome (30 October – 17 November 2018), Leeds Grand Theatre (20 November – 1 December 2018), New Theatre Oxford (18 December 2018 – 5 January 2019), Wales Millennium Centre (16– 26 January 2019), Palace Theatre Manchester (29 January – 16 February 2019), Edinburgh Playhouse (19 February – 2 March 2019), Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin (5 – 16 March 2019) and Mayflower Theatre Southampton (19 – 30 March 2019).

The producers are also delighted to announce that Michael Watson will be playing Frankie Valli, Simon Bailey will be Tommy De Vito, Declan Egan will be Bob Gaudio and Lewis Griffiths will be Nick Massi. Michael, Simon, Declan and Lewis have all previously performed their roles in JERSEY BOYS to great acclaim: Michael and Simon in the West End, Declan in the West End and Australia, and Lewis in the first UK and Ireland tour. Dayle Hodge will return to the production to play Frankie Valli at certain performances.

Trailer released for Stephen Sondheim's MARRY ME A LITTLE at St. James Theatre

Marry Me A Little pieces together a selection of songs by the undisputed master of the contemporary Broadway musical to tell a charming and bittersweet tale of love, loneliness and survival as a modern singleton. Told entirely through songs written early in Sondheim’s career or previously intended for his ground-breaking Broadway musicals including A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum,Company, Follies and A Little Night Music, Marry Me a Little is funny, moving and sophisticated musical as well as a fascinating look at "the songs that got away”.

In this new interpretation, the first to be seen on the London stage in 17 years, the show finds two ex-lovers, on separate Saturday nights, alone in the flat they once shared, remembering the highs and lows of their relationship. Each is visited by memories of the other as they remember what made them fall in love, and ultimately what pulled them apart.

Simon Bailey and Laura Pitt-Pulford will turn to the roles of Man and Woman.

Marry Me a Little will return to St. James Studio from Monday 6 – Saturday 11 October 2014

Following a critically acclaimed sell-out run this August, Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me a Little will return to St. James Studio for an extra week of performances from Monday 6 – Saturday 11 October 2014, it was announced today. On sale now.

Marry Me A Little pieces together a selection of songs by the undisputed master of the contemporary Broadway musical to tell a charming and bittersweet tale of love, loneliness and survival as a modern singleton. Told entirely through songs written early in Sondheim’s career or previously intended for his ground-breaking Broadway musicals including A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum,Company, Follies and A Little Night Music, Marry Me a Little is funny, moving and sophisticated musical as well as a fascinating look at "the songs that got away”.

MARRY ME A LITTLE to star Simon Bailey and Laura Pitt-Pulford

Simon Bailey and Laura Pitt-Pulford will star in the upcoming revival of Stephen Sondheim'sMarry me a Little at the St James Studio, which opens next month.

Directed by Hannah Chissick, the show runs from 29 July to 10 August and features songs from early in Sondheim's career.

Simon Bailey, who plays Man, most recently played Liam O'Deary in I Can't Sing! at the London Palladium. His other stage credits include Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (UK tour), [title of show] (Landor), Passion (Donmar Warehouse), Les Miserables (Queen's).

Laura Pitt-Pulford played The Falconer in The Light Princess (National Theatre). Her other credits include A Man of No Importace (Salisbury Playhouse), Piaf and Hello Dolly (Leicester Curve).