Anton is at the moment taking part in the function of Leadville within the UK and Ireland tour of the brand new musical Fisherman’s Friends. His credit embody Fizz in Bugsy Malone (West End), Monsieur Vernier on this planet premiere of Conor Mitchell’s Mathilde (Edinburgh Fringe), Lead Vocalist in Blues Brothers Meet Soul Sisters (Theatre Royal), Robbins in Porgy and Bess (UK Tour), Poppa in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express (UK tour), Musical Lead in Smokey Joe’s Cafe (1st UK tour/Broadway and US tour), Lead Vocalist in Hey Mr. Producer for Cameron Mackintosh (Lyceum Theatre), His one-man present, Crying for You…No More (Fortune Theatre), Musical Lead in Dancing and Singing The Blues (European Tour), Classique (Off-Broadway/US tour), Songs of Broadway (Off-Broadway/US Tour), An Evening with Anton (Congress Theatre, Eastbourne), Lead Singer within the Riverdance (Europe tour), Company of Francesca Zambello’s Show Boat (Royal Albert Hall), Lead function Father in Children of Eden live performance model (Prince of Wales) and Sweeney Todd (Chichester Festival Theatre).
Just because the tour kicked off, we managed to get a while with Anton to speak in regards to the present.
Fisherman’s Friends the musical is predicated on a real story and the 2019 hit movie, what was your expertise of the story earlier than auditioning for the present?
Honestly, I knew zero in regards to the present or the band ‘Fisherman’s Friends’ earlier than the audition! I’ve since learnt an excellent deal. I’ve met the precise Fisherman’s Friends. They are a stunning bunch of very down-to-earth males. My character’s title, Leadville, is the title of one in all their fathers; so it feels very particular to me. He advised me I honoured his father’s reminiscence. I’m actually blissful I’m able to do that.
Tell us a little bit bit in regards to the present and your character, Leadville.
When you acquired the audition, what you most in regards to the present?What me most is that it’s a function folks wouldn’t essentially assume I’d be concerned with or others wouldn’t essentially acquaint me with. I take pleasure in a problem. I prefer to shock people!
This is a brand new piece of theatre, what are the challenges for an actor when presenting new characters to audiences across the nation?
The problem dealing with any actor whether or not it’s a brand new piece or a extra acquainted piece of theatre is to search out the reality and ship that reality passionately and successfully. Simply by telling the story actually. Audiences, I really feel, reply finest to honesty. The actual human expertise, one thing I strive very exhausting to speak. I hope I’m getting it proper each night time, I do my best possible too! I really like that I get to inform these tales and reside these lives each night time 8 reveals per week. Our author Amanda Whittington has written amazingly advanced and infrequently very humorous characters. Our director James Grieves has given me confidence and braveness and directed the present superbly. I really like Leadville. I really feel very protecting of him!
And what’s the most fun factor as an actor to be touring in a brand new piece of theatre?
The most fun a part of being in a brand new work is first that it’s ‘new work’ It takes quite a lot of talent & effort to create and make new reveals occur. This is the super energy of ROYO, our producers, they aren’t afraid to take possibilities. I really feel a profound sense of humility and gratitude to be part of something new. I get to share MY Leadville with the world for the primary time.
You’re additionally heading over to Canada with the present and spending the vacation season in Toronto. What are you most trying ahead to with that?Toronto goes to be a blast. I can’t wait to be again there. I’ve expensive associates who reside there additionally. Although it’s bloody chilly that point of 12 months!
As a singer, you’ve sung with some unbelievable and iconic performers; Tina Turner, Sting, Sir Cliff Richard and Elton John to call just a few! If you had to decide on one reminiscence that you’ve from singing with such large stars, which one wouldn’t it be?
Gosh, sure, I’ve sung and carried out with what many of us would and rightly do describe as legends. I assume the moments I worth most are the non-public ones reasonably than public. The hugs, the laughter, the tears and the power to outlive and go on to thrive below immense stress and an ever-changing musical theatre panorama. Those quiet intimate secrets and techniques moments I’ll by no means share overtly, they’re held shut expensive to my coronary heart.
You’ve carried out all around the world; on Broadway, on tour within the US, throughout the UK and within the West End. Which venue would you say has been your favorite?
I’ve had such a diversified profession, for certain! The reality is that though I really like touring, there isn’t any place like house. Getting to play Porgy on the Savoy Theatre in Porgy and Bess directed by Sir Trevor Nunn was an outstanding achievement. David White is a supreme Musical Director and I really like him. But additionally being the first black ‘Ghost Of Christmas Present’ in ‘Scrooge’ directed by my expensive good friend Nikolai Foster on the Curve Theatre Leicester. In truth there’s a 10-foot portrait of me because the character hanging up on the partitions in that theatre! Very humbling and I’m after all flattered and grateful. I hope in a tiny means we helped assist and encourage BLM. Continuing to be courageous and daring in casting people that appear like me in thrilling roles. Hopefully inspiring folks of any age or background that something is feasible. My favorite theatre certainly is The Curve in Leicester. Everything they do is magic. It is a really particular place. But actually performing to twenty thousand on the O2 is a thrill I hope to get to revisit. As is Wembley Stadium to 40 thousand!
You’ve solely simply opened the present forward of its UK tour, what has the response been like to date?I’ve been staggered and delighted by the way in which Fisherman’s Friends the musical has been acquired. The public actually liked it! Stamping their toes cheering and standing ovations each present to date. Phenomenal response!
And lastly, in a single sentence, why ought to folks come and see Fisherman’s Friends?
If you want me are an excellent believer within the blissful ever after that is the present to return see.