OUR TEAM INTERVIEWS GERÓNIMO RAUCH AT UNA NIT A BROADWAY IN BARCELONA

On December 22nd and 23rd, two concerts were held in Barcelona, where Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpieces reached Spanish audiences. These melodies that have gained a place in the hearts of people around the world came from the Orquesta Sinfónica de Barcelona y Nacional de Cataluña (OBC), conducted by the director and musical supervisor Alfonso Casado, accompanied by the voices of John Owen-Jones, Geronimo Rauch, Joanna Ampil and Celinde Schoenmaker as soloists. A couple of days before the concert we had the great pleasure of meeting and interviewing with Gerónimo Rauch, a name that is not unknown in his natal city, Spain or the West End, as he has played well-known characters in the musical world such as The Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables or, recently, Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard.

We can't even begin to describe the talent that this artist shares with the world. And we're not talking just about his incredible voice, but the way he transmits with each word, each look and each gesture, he accompanies his songs with feeling and emotion. He was the one responsible for filling the theatre with our beloved Till I Hear You Sing, the first big ovation of that first Act of the concert, right after a magnificent orchestration of The Coney Island Waltz and followed by Celinde Schoenmaker with the main theme, Love Never Dies. In addition, I must mention the interpretation of his aria in Jesus Christ Superstar, with "Gethsemane", because it was too incredible to not write it down.

Before rehearsals, we met Gerónimo's in his dressing room, and he kindly invited us to share some moments of his career and his participation in the musical world, and the concert. Thank you very much for the warm welcome, the world will be too small for the talent he has yet to share! Here, the full interview.

Alfonso Casado (Musical Supervisor & Conductor) and Gerónimo Rauch

OUR TEAM INTERVIEWS CONDUCTOR ALFONSO CASADO & ORQUESTRA OBC

On December 22nd and 23rd, two concerts were held in Barcelona, where Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpieces reached Spanish audiences. These melodies that have gained a place in the hearts of people around the world came from the Orquesta Sinfónica de Barcelona y Nacional de Cataluña (OBC), conducted by the director and musical supervisor Alfonso Casado, accompanied by the voices of John Owen-Jones, Geronimo Rauch, Joanna Ampil and Celinde Schoenmaker as soloists. A few days before the concert, we had the great pleasure of meeting in person and interviewing Alfonso Casado, a man of undeniable talent and cordially warm, who kindly answered our questions before one of the last rehearsals before the first concert. Read here the interview!

___

LNDEs: When we found out that this Orchestra was coming to Barcelona with this amazing Conductor and soloists... we couldn't believe how lucky we were. A Spanish conductor and Music Supervisor who has been working in London, in large productions... tell us about it.
AC: Well, I moved to London five years ago invited by the producer Cameron Mackintosh and for him, I directed almost two years Les Misérables there and then I made Miss Saigon for a year and a half. And then they invited me to do The Phantom of the Opera in London, which is Andrew's composition but produced by Cameron. And since then, it's the only musical I've directed there, which I finished a year ago, and since then I've been supervising. What I do is set up Cameron's musicals around the world, where he takes them, or London or England, and I supervise them. "Supervising" meaning that everything respects the original version.

LNDEs: Is there a significant change to be in one country or another?
How do you live the same productions, but in different ways?
AC: It's very nice creatively because you first get in touch with new Directors, new orchestras, new cast and, on the other hand, you work the material in another language. Of course, the first one I supervised was the Spanish one. They sent me because I speak the language, and afterwards, I have made productions in Japan, in Dubai and in Brazil. In Dubai, we did it in English because we did it in the Opera House, where John [Owen-Jones] played Valjean, but of course, Japan and Brazil were in Japanese and Portuguese, respectively.

LNDEs: And speaking of "dream productions". Where would you like to be, in first person?
AC: The truth is that when you belong to these big teams of people and have the opportunity to work with directors and creators of scene and sound of that caliber, the truth is that it's a pleasure wherever you go, Cameron and Andrew's teams are great. So... well, I always have a little bit of the nails that I would love to do a production in America, because I've always heard very good things about how productions are set up there in New York, but the truth is that here in England and where we set the productions around the world, they also are of high level, very demanding but also very satisfying to do.

LNDEs: Tell us about the team, the integration and getting to work and meet with great personalities, such as Webber...
AC: I've seen him many times, but to meet him in person... I had the opportunity to chat with him, one time in particular when he came to see The Phantom of the Opera. With him I have less relationship than, for example, with Cameron because I work much more in his team, but when I was conducting Phantom of the Opera, he came several times to see the play and one of them we even talked about the play and his vision, and what did he like and what he did not and such, and it was nice to meet him. Obviously, he is a person who has a unique musical sensibility, and among the notes he gives you, the opinions are very correct.

LNDEs: You are in charge of supervising that everything is going as it should be. As for your personal touch, do you aim to contribute somehow?
AC: Yes, absolutely, when you are part of a team, let's say, you are part of that team because they invite you to contribute with your personality, your ways, right? So I do a little bit of that. And then, there is always criticism to consider. Anything that I've changed or moulded that is not of the composer's taste for example in the case of Les Misérables or Miss Saigon, they are very involved, they come and comment and I can mould what they approve, but my premise is always to respect the original vision of the composer and the story that he wants to tell with that musical.

LNDEs: Have you always had a taste for this kind of musical world?
AC: No, not at all. It emerged by chance fourteen years ago. And I did not think about it at all and in the end it was my profession and the truth is, my passion, because it's a field that I like a lot and it has opened many doors to me and has given me great opportunities to get to know this great orchestra and come for the second time, to play this material.

LNDEs: You have already started rehearsals, what can you tell us? What can we expect?
AC: Well, I think you're going to expect a splurge of music very well played. The truth is that listening to all those songs with this great orchestra and with the soloists that we have, I believe and I hope that they fulfil the expectations of the public and that they honour the vision of Andrew Lloyd Webber, of his songs. I think you are going to see something that is not very common to see, that these songs are played in this very symphonic and big format.

LNDEs: And now, after these concerts, where can we find you?
AC: London. I live in London, where I develop my career and I walk around. I do some trips, I have projects next year also abroad, some in Spain... but mostly in London, I will continue there.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to get to know this project firsthand, for sharing your passion and talent with all of us and for offering us an unforgettable evening accompanied by the best melodies of the musical world. Good luck with your new projects, keep growing and enjoying!

NUESTRO EQUIPO ENTREVISTA A JAZMIN GORSLINE

¡Y aquí estamos de nuevo con una nueva entrevista! Tuvimos el placer de entrevistar a Rachel Anne Moore en Navidades (leela aquí!) y a Heidi Karlsson para el día de San Valentín (leela aquí!). Ahora celebramos la llegada de Junio con Jazmin Gorsline. Interpreta a la alternante de Christine, y con esta entrevista cerramos el círculo habiendo entrevistado a las tres grandes actrices que interpretan a Christine  Daaé en Liebe Stirbt Nie.

¿Conocías ya el musical? ¿Habías visto alguna producción previa en Londres, Australia, Dinamarca o Vienna?
Cuando Estados Unidos estaba haciendo audiciones para una producción en 2009 (que no llegó a realizarse en ese momento), nunca lo había visto, pero supe en seguida que este musical sería para mí. Intenté desesperadamente tener una prueba, sin suerte. Un día, estando en otra audición, me di cuenta de que las audiciones se estaban haciendo en la sala del lado. Conocía sólo un poco a la directora musical de antiguas audiciones de El Fantasma de la Ópera, pero fue muy dulce y agradable. Cuando tuvo un descanso y salió de la sala le conté lo mucho que me gustaría ser vista y de repente y susurrando, me dijo que no podía hacer nada por mí esta vez "pero no te rindas". Volvemos al presente a esta producción, años después, y no sólo siendo escogida para interpretar a Christine si no teniendo la oportunidad de trabajar CON ESA MISMA directora musical que me dijo que no me rindiera - ¿os lo podéis imaginar? No fue hasta que empezamos a ensayar que recordé la historia. No creo que la vida pueda darte más esperanza que esa.

¿Qué cress, en tu opinión, que hace esta producción única/distinta a las demás?
Bueno, esta producción tiene el mismo y precioso diseño que la producción australiana, pero cuando se estaba escenificando, nuestro director Simon quiso explorar la mejor forma de adaptarla para este elenco, en vez de imitar simplemente la otra producción. Tenemos un grupo de gente único, fantástico, así que se ha diseñado a partir de su talento en muchas formas. Además, Andrew Lloyd Webber tomó parte de nuestro proceso de ensayos y vino a Hamburgo para componer una nueva canción que se añadió a la producción, de la misma forma que hizo algunos ajustes en otra.

OUR TEAM INTERVIEWS HAMBURGH'S CHRISTINE JAZMIN GORSLINE

And here we are again with a great new interview! We had the chance to interview Rachel Anne Moore during Christmas holidays (read here!) and Heidi Karlsson on Valentine's Day (read here!). Now we're celebrating that summer is almost here with Jazmin Gorsline. She's playing Christine's alternate and with this interview, we close the circle having interviewed the three ladies that play Christine in Liebe Stirbt Nie.  Read ahead:

Did you already know the musical? Did you see any previous production in London, Australia, Denmark or Vienna?
When the US was casting its production of Love Never Dies in 2009 (which didn’t end up happening at that time), I had never seen it, but I just knew I would be right for this show. I tried desperately to get an audition, with no luck. One day, I was at another audition when I realized Love Never Dies work sessions/auditions were happening right next door. I knew the music director only slightly, from past auditions for Phantom of the Opera, but she was always so gracious and kind, and when she came out of the room on a break, I told her how much I would love to be seen and she quietly said there was nothing she could do this time, “but don’t give up.” Fast forward to this production years later, and not only being cast as Christine but getting to work with THAT SAME music director who told me not to give up - can you imagine? It wasn’t until we were into rehearsals that I even remembered that happening. I’m not sure if life gets any more fateful than that.

What do you think, in your opinion, that makes this production unique/different from the others?
Well, this production is the same beautiful design as the Australian production, but when it was being staged, our director Simon wanted to explore the best ways for THIS cast to do it, as opposed to just copying everything from Australia. We have such a wonderful, unique and talented group of people, so it is designed around their skill sets in many ways. Also, Andrew Lloyd Webber was part of our rehearsal process and came to Hamburg to compose a new song that was added to this production, as well as make adjustments to another.

OUR TEAM INTERVIEWS HAMBURGH CHRISTINE HEIDI KARLSSON

Photo: Patrick Imhof

We start the year with a new gift for you, Liebe Stirbt Nie celebrated its 100th performance a few weeks ago and Love Never Dies turned SIX years old on March 9th! We had the chance to interview Rachel Anne Moore during Christmas holidays (read here!) and we asked Heidi Karlsson on Valentine's Day for an interview which she kindly agreed to keep growing our community! She's playing Christine's cover in Hamburg and she's also a Swing in the wonderful ensemble.  Read ahead:

Did you already know the musical? Did you see any previous production in London, Australia, Denmark or Vienna?
My first contact with the show was an American colleague and friend asking me 4 years ago if I heard the music from "Love Never Dies". He told me that I had to listen to it and he swore that I would be captured by these beautiful melodies. And he said "Heidi, you have to sing the title song of the show. It would fit you so well". So I watched the Australian version and fell in love with it immediately. I learned the title song and I put it into my audition repertoire.

What do you think, in your opinion, that makes this production unique/different from the others?
Our production has some changes from previous productions. And Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber himself composed and created a whole new number with us, which was very exciting. And it was, of course, a big honor to be able to work with him.

How would you describe your first performance as Christine? 
Being Christine is my first main role on Germany, actually my first big, completely professional musical production ever. My first performance as Christine was about two months earlier than planned! A few days after the premiere Rachel and Jazmin both got sick. So I had to go on as Christine without any rehearsals! Which of course should be almost impossible.

NUESTRO EQUIPO ENTREVISTA A HEIDI KARLSSON

Photo: Patrick Imhof

Empezamos el año a tope con un nuevo regalo para todos, Liebe Stirbt Nie celebró hace unos días su actuación número 100 desde que se estrenó el pasado octubre y Love Never Dies cumplió SEIS años el 9 de Marzo! Después de poder entrevistar a Rachel Anne Moore (¡lee la entrevista aquí!), le hemos pedido una entrevista a Heidi Karlsson el día de San Valentín, understudy de Christine en Hamburgo y parte de la ensemble de la producción, que accedió encantada a pasarse por el blog. Lee a continuación:

¿Conocías ya el musical? ¿Habías visto alguna producción anterior en Londres, Australia, Dinamarca o Viena?
Mi primer contacto con el musical fue a través de un compañero y amigo americano preguntándome, hace cuatro años, si había escuchado algo acerca de "Love Never Dies". Me dijo que tenía que escucharlo y me prometió que me capturarían sus hermosas melodías. Y me dijo "Heidi, tienes que cantar la canción principal. Te encajaría genial."Así que miré la producción australiana y me enamoré inmediatamente. Aprendí la canción principal y la añadí a mi repertorio de audiciones.

¿Qué es, en tu opinión, lo que hace única/diferente esta producción de las anteriores?
Nuestra producción tiene algunos cambio respecto a antiguas producciones. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber compuso y creó un nuevo número completo con nosotros, fue muy emocionante. Y fue, por supuesto, un gran honor poder trabajar con él.

Describe tu primera actuación como Christine.
Christine es mi primer gran papel en Alemania, en realidad es mi primera producción completamente profesional musical. ¡Mi primera actuación como Christine tuvo lugar dos meses antes de lo previsto! Unos días después del estreno Rachel y Jazmin se pusieron enfermas. Así que tuve que tomar el papel ¡sin ensayo alguno!  Lo que, por supuesto, debería ser casi imposible.

OUR TEAM INTERVIEWS HAMBURGH CHRISTINE RACHEL ANNE MOORE

Ho-Ho-Ho! Merry Christmas. We bring to you an early Christmas gift. We had the great honor to interview Rachel Anne Moore, our lovely Christine in Hamburg's production, Liebe Stirbt Nie. This production has been playing on the Stage Operettenhaus theatre since it premiered on October 15th.

We thought that, just as ourselves, many of you won't have the chance to visit Hamburg and watch the musical and so we thought it would be a nice gesture if we brought here a tiny bit of this production. Rachel wanted to do so, and she brought us these amazing first person impressions about the show, with no further delay... Rachel's answers!

Did you already know the musical? Did you see any previous production in London, Australia, Denmark or Vienna? 

When I first heard of Love Never Dies, I was already playing Carlotta and heard about the auditions for the upcoming German production. At that point, I looked up every version I could find via youtube. I have seen the full Australian version, and just a few small clips from the London and Viennese productions. I haven't been lucky enough to come across any Japanese or Denmark clips but I would love to see them as well. I haven't been fortunate enough to see any of the other productions live since I only heard about it after they were finished.

As we could see on rehearsals, there was a lot of Australia production studying going on, how did you keep your character fresh and different from Anna O’Byrne’s?

In order to keep a fresh perspective I only watched the lovely Australian version prior to the auditions. Once I was actually in rehearsals, I found it more helpful to just focus on what we were staging (especially since there are quite a few differences in staging, some large and some small). We all bring a bit of ourselves to the role and so I imagine my version is quite different than Anna O´Byrne's just because of that. Her version of Christine is very lovely and I really enjoyed watching it.

NUESTRO EQUIPO ENTREVISTA A RACHEL ANNE MOORE

¡Ho-Ho-Ho! Feliz navidad. Os traemos un regalo de Navidad adelantado. Hemos tenido el grandísimo honor de entrevistar a Rachel Anne Moore, nuestra encantadora Christine en la producción de Hamburgo, Liebe Stirbt Nie. La producción sigue representándose en el Stage Operettenhaus desde su estreno el pasado 15 de octubre.

Pensamos que, al igual que nosotras, muchos de vosotros no podrá ir a Hamburgo a ver el musical, así que creímos que traeros un pedazo del musical aquí sería un bonito detalle para las fiestas. Rachel también quería ayudar, así que nos contestó con estas fantásticas respuestas, sin más dilación, ¡las respuestas de Rachel!

¿Conocías ya el musical? ¿Habías visto alguna producción anterior en Londres, Australia, Dinamarca o Viena?

Cuando escuché por primera vez acerca de Love Never Dies, ya estaba actuando como Carlotta y supe de las audiciones para la nueva producción alemana. A partir de ese momento miré todas las producciones que pude encontrar vía youtube. He visto entera la producción alemana, y algunos vídeos cortos de las producciones de Londres y Vienna. No he tenido la suerte de encontrar ningún vídeo de la producción de Japón o de Dinamarca, pero me encantaría verlas también. Tampoco he tenido la suerte de ver ninguna en directo, ya que sólo supe de las demás producciones después de que hubieran terminado.

Tal y como pudimos ver en los ensayos, hubo un estudio exhaustivo de la producción alemana, ¿cómo mantuviste el personaje original y diferente al de Anna O'Byrne?

Para mantener una perspectiva nueva y original sólo vi la encantadora producción australiana antes de las audiciones. Ya durante los ensayos, encontré más útil centrarme únicamente en lo que estábamos escenificando (especialmente porque hay bastantes diferencias en la puesta en escena, algunas mayores y otras menores). Todos ofrecemos un poco de nosotros mismos al papel y por ello imagino que mi versión es un poco distinta a la de Anna O'Byrne. Su interpretación de Christine es encantadora y disfruté realmente viéndola.

NUESTRO EQUIPO ENTREVISTA A MILICA JOVANOVIC

Milica Jovanovic, actriz que interpretó a Christine Daaé en los ocho conciertos de Love Never Dies que se celebraron en Viena del 18 al 26 de octubre (x), accedió amablemente a contestar nuestra entrevista con todas vuestras preguntas. Le agradecemos muchísimo su tiempo y amabilidad, ¡aquí van las preguntas!

¿Conocías el musical? ¿Viste alguna representación en Londres o su grabación australiana? 
Conocía el musical porque formé parte de un proyecto con Sir Webber cuando éste estaba acabando su trabajo con Love Never Dies. Así que ya sabía lo espléndido que era.

Fuiste la primera Chrsitine en cantar las canciones en alemán, ¿basaste tu técnica en alguna de las originales? Si es así, ¿trabajaste a través de Sierra Boggess (Londres), Anna O'Byrne (Australia) o Louise Fribo (Dinamarca)? 
Intenté desenvolupar mi Christine con mi propia voz. O'Byrne, Boggess y Fribo son geniales, pero tuve que hacerlo a mi modo.

¿Cual fue tu canción favorita a interpretar? 
Love Never Dies. Es mágica.

¿Tu canción favorita non-Christine? 
Cuando el Fantasma canta "Till I Hear You Sing". Es mi canción favorita.

¿Cómo fue poder conocer a Andrew Lloyd Webber? 
Alucinante. Él es mi héroe y fue muy agradable, incluso tímido. Pero estaba tan nerviosa que fui incapaz de decir una sola frase bien. Así que, por favor, ¡no preguntes sobre nuestra conversación!

¿Experiencias positivas con el elenco? 
Fue un privilegio trabajar con el elenco. Drew [Sarich] fue especialmente encantador.

Si pudieras ser cualquier personaje del musical, hombre o mujer, ¿cuál te gustaría interpretar? 
El Fantasma. Grandes canciones, gran interpretación.

¿Supuso un gran esfuerzo meterte en el papel de Christine Daaé? 
No.

Los conciertos en Viena fueron todo un evento, ¿cómo fue la experiencia? 
Creo que han sido las mejores actuaciones de mi carrera. Fue un sueño hecho realidad.

¿Te ves interpretando a Christine en una futura producción alemana? 
Me encantaría, por supuesto, pero eso está más allá de mi voluntad.

¿Hacia dónde se dirigirá ahora tu carrera artística? 
Hacia arriba, espero. En serio, ya se verá. Me alegro por cada canción que se me permite cantar e intento dar lo mejor de mí en cada momento. Vamos a ver.*

*¡Milica dijo esta parte en castellano!

Muchísimas gracias a Milica y a los grandes conciertos que nos ofreció, ¡esperamos más en el futuro!

Love Never Dies Es

OUR TEAM INTERVIEWS VIENNA CHRISTINE MILICA JOVANOVIC

Milica Jovanovic, the actress who played Christine Daaé in the eight Love Never Dies concerts that were celebrated in Vienna between October 18th and 26^th  (x), kindly agreed to answer a few questions from us! We highly appreciate her time and her kindness. Here we go with the questions!

Did you already know the musical? Did you see any previous production, in London or Australia?
I knew the musical because I took part in a workshop with Sir Webber when he was finishing his work on Love Never Dies in London. So, I knew how splendid the musical is.

You were the first Christine who sung the lyrics in German, did you base your acting or singing in any of the previous actresses who took the role? If so, was it in Sierra Boggess (London), Anna O'Byrne (Australia) or Louise Fribo (Denmark)?

I tried to develop my own Christine with my own voice. O'Byrne, Bogges and Fribo are great but I had to do it my way.

Which one was your favorite song to play?
Love Never Dies. It is magical.

And your non-Christine favorite scene?

When the Phantom sings "Till I Hear You Sing". That is my favourite song.

How it was the experience to meet Andrew Lloyd Webber?
Awesome. He is my hero, and he was so nice and even bashful. But I was so nervous that I was unable to say a straight sentence. So, please do not ask about our conversation.

Positive experiences with the cast?

It was a privilege to work with this cast. Drew was especially lovely.

If you could be any other character, male or female, which one would you choose to play?
The Phantom, great songs, great act.

Was it a great effort to get into the character of Christine Daaé?
No.

These concerts in Vienna were a big event, how it was the experience?

I think it could have been the best show of my entire career. It was a dream come true.

Do you see yourself playing Christine in the future, maybe in a new German production?

I would love to, of course, but that lies beyond my will.

Towards where will be directed your career now?
Up, I hope. Seriously, we will see. I am glad for every song I am allowed to sing, and I try to give my best in that very moment. Vamos a ver.*

*We'll see!

A huge thank you to Milica and the great concerts she offered to us. We will be waiting for more in the future! 

Love Never Dies Es

INTERVIEW WITH WEST END'S GUSTAVE HARRY POLDEN

First of all, thanks for the opportunity to interview you. It is a pleasure for us and the whole community of fans the chance to ask you about yourself and this wonderful musical.

So... tell us a little about yourself.

How did you feel knowing you were going to play Gustave? Were you very nervous?

I was very excited- originally I was taken on as an understudy- but after rehearsals got offered the main part, which I was very pleased with as I really tried my best during rehearsals. I also was chosen to open for the new Gustaves which made me extremely proud. 

I was a little nervous on my opening night- but not half as much as my mum and dad! After that I was never nervous, not even when Lord Lloyd-Webber was watching!

What was the reaction of your family?

They've always been very supportive and confident in my ability. My mum, dad & brother and sisters were on holiday at my Grandma's in North Wales when I got the news that I was opening for the new Gustaves- they were so thrilled! My dad came back to London and treated me to a TGI Fridays! Then my mum came back too and they both watched my opening night. It was really emotional. 

How was it working with the cast?

The Love Never Dies cast were some of the most talented and amazing performers in the West End- and also some of the nicest! They were really kind to all of us boys and helped us to settle in and feel part of the team. I learned so much from them about working hard, having fun and always doing your best. I miss all of them so much. 

What were you most impressed to start rehearsals? And to make the first performance?

I was really impressed with the quality of singing- it was a couple of notches up from what I'd experienced in the past, although I'd worked with some excellent singers on Joseph, Oliver and Priscilla. This was different though- it's almost like an opera and the quality of singing blew me away- not just the principal parts either, there were amazing singers all through the cast. 

Got a story you can tell of rehearsals? How about some actuation?

The rehearsals were great fun- we rehearsed in some really cool locations around London. The other boys were all excellent singers so I knew I'd have to be at my best. We all got on really well which helped as it made the rehearsals really enjoyable. There were a couple of mishaps and funny moments, including scenery being knocked over and people, nearly falling into the orchestral pit but I won't mention any names! It was all good; we were really well prepared by some great vocal coaches and musical directors. 

What is your favourite part or song from the musical?

"Beauty Underneath" definitely. I LOVE that song, and being able to cut loose and go for it with Ramin and Tam was unbelievable- it was always that little bit different- Ramin especially would throw in different positions and moves and I loved that. 

The four-part "Devil takes the hindmost" is fantastic fun to sing as well- standing up a ladder singing with the Phantom, Raoul and Mme Giry- brilliant. 

Any role in mind as you would like to aspire to in the future?

I always wanted to play Oliver and Gavroche from Les Mis but I'm probably a bit tall now- oh well! As an adult I'd love to play the Phantom in the original or Love Never Dies- who knows what will happen in the future! 

Any message for your fans?

Anyone who has been to see and hear me perform, I hope you have enjoyed it and I would like to say thank you, thank you, thank you. I will soon be appearing in "Ragtime" at the famous fringe Landor Theatre- Louisa, who played understudy Mme Giry, is in it too. Check it out- VERY different from the Adelphi - 60 seater theatre! I'm looking forward to a new, and different experience. 

Thank you VERY much, Harry!

Love Never Dies Es

___

Love Never Dies Español ha tenido la fantástica oportunidad de entrevistar a Harry Polden en exclusiva, quién interpretó el papel de Gustave en el West End. Le damos las gracias por ser tan amable con nosotras y contestar tan rápidamente a nuestras preguntas, algunas de ellas enviadas por fans a través de nuestro facebook.

Primero de todo, muchísimas gracias por permitirnos la oportunidad de entrevistarte. Es todo un placer para nosotras y para toda la comunidad de fans tener la oportunidad de preguntarte acerca de ti y de este magnífico musical. Así que... háblanos un poco acerca de ti.

¿Cómo te sentiste al saber que ibas a interpretar a Gustave? ¿Estabas muy nervioso?

¡Muy emocionado! Al principio me contrataron como suplente, pero después de los ensayos me ofrecieron el papel principal con el que estoy muy contento porque realmente di lo mejor que pude en los ensayos. También fui elegido para abrir el nuevo elenco de Gustaves, lo que me hizo sentir muy orgulloso.

Estaba un poco nervioso la noche del estreno, ¡pero ni la mitad de cómo lo estaban mi madre y mi padre! Después de eso, ya no me puse más nervioso, ¡ni siquiera cuando Lord Lloyd Webber estaba entre el público!

¿Cuál fue la reacción de tu familia?

Siempre han sido un gran apoyo y han confiado en mi habilidad. Mi madre, mi padre y mi hermano y hermanas estaban de vacaciones en casa de mi abuela en el norte de Gales cuando me dieron la noticia de que iba a actuar en la apertura del nuevo elenco de Gustaves. ¡Estaban tan emocionados! ¡Mi padre vino a Londres y me llevaron a un TGI Fridays*! Entonces mi madre volvió también y ambos vinieron a mi estreno. Fue muy emotivo.

*TGI Fridays es una cadena de restaurantes.

¿Cómo fue trabajar con el reparto?

Los miembros de Love Never Dies son algunos de los artistas más talentosos y sorprendentes del West End ¡y también algunos de los más simpáticos! Fueron muy amables con todos nosotros [los Gustaves] y nos ayudaron a instalarnos y sentirnos parte del equipo. He aprendido mucho de ellos sobre trabajar duro, divertirme y dar siempre lo mejor que pueda dar. ¡Los echo tanto de menos a todos!

¿Qué fue lo que más te impresionó al empezar los ensayos? ¿Y al hacer la primera actuación?

Me impresionó mucho la calidad del canto, era superior a lo que había estado acostumbrado, a pesar de que había trabajado con algunos cantantes excelentes en Joseph, Oliver y Priscilla. Esta vez fue diferente, es casi como una ópera y la calidad del canto me dejó impresionado, no sólo las partes principales, no. Había cantantes increíbles en todo el elenco.

¿Tienes alguna anécdota que puedas explicarnos de los ensayos? ¿Y de alguna actuación?

Los ensayos fueron muy divertidos, ensayamos en algunos lugares realmente geniales de Londres. Los otros chicos eran excelentes cantantes, así que sabía que tendría que sacar lo mejor de mí. Todos nos llevamos muy bien, lo que ayudó que los ensayos fueran realmente agradables.

Hubo un par de contratiempos y momentos divertidos, como un decorado que cayó y gente a punto de caer en la boca de la orquesta, ¡pero no daré ningún nombre! Todo estuvo bien, estábamos muy bien preparados por grandes entrenadores vocales y directores musicales.

¿Cuál es tu parte o canción favorita del musical?

Definitivamente "The Beauty Underneath". ME ENCANTA esta canción, y ser capaz de improvisar con Ramin y Tam era increíble, era siempre diferente. Ramin, especialmente, hacía diferentes movimientos y posiciones... y eso me encantaba. El cuarteto de "Devil Takes The Hindmost" es fantásticamente divertido, cantar subido a una escalera con el Fantasma, Raoul y Madame Giry… brillante.

¿Algún papel en mente al que te gustaría aspirar en el futuro?

Siempre he querido actuar como Oliver y Gavroche en Les Misérables, pero lo más probable es que ahora sea demasiado alto. ¡Ah, bueno! Como adulto me encantaría interpretar el Fantasma en el original [El Fantasma de la Ópera] o en Love Never Dies. ¡Quién sabe lo que pasará en el futuro!

¿Algún mensaje para tus fans?

Cualquiera que haya ido a verme y oírme actuar, espero que le haya gustado y me gustaría decirle: Gracias, gracias, gracias. Pronto apareceré en Ragtime en el famoso Landor Theatre-Louisa, dónde quien interpretó a Madame Giry como suplente estará también. Compruébalo tu mismo, es MUY diferente al Adelphi Theatre – ¡60 asientos! Estoy buscando una experiencia nueva y diferente.

¡Muchísimas gracias, Harry!

Love Never Dies Es