|
David Fawcett spent two years in the West End production of ‘Les Miserables’ where he played Brujon, the Bishop of Digne and the leading role of Jean Valjean on many occasions, having previously spent 13 months in the original Manchester production of the show. He also appeared in the tenth Anniversary Concert of ‘Les Miserables’ at the Albert Hall in 1995, and the Euro 96 closing ceremony at Wembley Stadium. David's roles have included, Jesus in the rock musicals ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Godspell,’ the Emcee in ‘Cabaret’ and Sky Masterson in ‘Guys and Dolls.’ David has also directed ‘Godspell’, ‘Chicago’ and ‘The Best little Whorehouse in Texas’ as well as writing, performing and directing pantomimes. He also co-formed the theatre company Amusing Little Productions with Sally-Anne Leigh, producing ‘Once a Catholic and Up’n Under.’ David will be in Malta as part of the Beyond the Barricade team that will be performing Christmas favourites at the Sir Temi Zammit Hall at Tal-Qroqq, Msida from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 December at 7.30 pm.
What inspired you to start doing theatre and musicals in particular?
Like most actors I started at school and as I was lucky enough to have a voice I was always cast whenever the school did a musical. However, my passion was photography above theatre so I became a newspaper photographer whilst doing musicals with my local amateur society. I did not turn professional until later in life when I went to an audition for Les Miserables - just to see if I could get in! And no-one was more surprised than me when I did!
Which were your most memorable roles and why?
It has to be Jean Valjean in Les Miserables - it is a part most male singers would kill for and was a fantastic and challenging experience. I also played Jesus twice (when 15 years younger and 20 kilos lighter!) in Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar - two very different ways of portrayal but equally emotional and fascinating. But another favourite has to be the MC in Cabaret, which I did as an amateur - that puts great demands on you as an actor as well as a singer.
You also direct musicals and pantos, do you prefer to face an audience or do you find it more challenging to direct?
I love the chance to be able to construct something from the start to the finish and if it works it is a great feeling watching the audience appreciate what you have done. But no actor will deny that you cannot beat the feeling of being up there amongst it!
Why do you think that musicals are so more successful than straight plays?
Spectacle - emotion - and the power of the singing voice. Music can always generate atmosphere and steer you emotionally through the highs and lows of a piece easier than a straight play in most cases.
Throughout your career you must have had ups and downs, can you tell us something about your high and low points?
High points - there are two that stick out. Firstly, my first performance as Jean Valjean in Manchester. I was understudy at that time and had to go on at very short notice only barely finishing the rehearsals. The adrenalin that pumped through me as the orchestra struck up at the start of the show could have kept an army marching for weeks! The second event was when we took Beyond the Barricade to the Royal Albert Hall in London to celebrate the Millennium in 2000 and played a stand-alone concert to nearly 4,000 people. And Andy and I got to use the No. 1 dressing room! Low point? Not getting the first job I auditioned for after leaving Les Mis. I naively thought I would walk into any job having played JVJ - but the harsh reality of the business hit home when I was seen for five minutes and then shown the door. I can laugh about it now as the show was to be the musical of the film ‘The Fly’ - it never happened! Apart from that, being one’s own bosses in Barricade have meant that Andy and I have been able to control our destinies and keep the ‘downs’ to a minimum.
What can you tell us about ‘Its Christmas Beyond the Barricades’ and your role within it?
Its an evening of Christmas favourites, with songs from Christmas old to Christmas new with lots of audience participation. We are looking forward to working with Masquerade and we have a few surprises for them and for the audience! I will be the MC for the show as well as singing with Andy, Gina and Jaime.
You have performed in Malta before, what are you expecting this time around?
Last time the audience was very, very, warm and appreciative and even understood some of my jokes! We would like them to be the same this time! The show will be more informal than Beyond the Barricade so we are looking forward to a fun evening (or three evenings!) And I am afraid my grasp of the Maltese language has not improved - Sahha!!
How has it been rehearsing and performing with Andy, Jaime and Gina?
A nightmare ! - Jaime lives in London, Andy and Gina live in the Midlands and I live near the South Coast and we are all busy with Barricade - Andy is busy with workshops, Gina is doing her one-woman show around the country, Jaime is working on a new project with Sir Trevor Nunn and I am doing newspaper interviews! - so our time together has been limited so we have had to work very hard in the time we have had. But of course that's what always happens when you rehearse a concert, but it all comes together in the end.
What are your future plans? What would you love to direct if you were given the opportunity?
My own musical - except that I have yet to write it! I suppose I will move more towards direction and production and ease up on performing eventually (sooner rather than later, they cry) and I think I would like to direct a show either in the rock genre of ‘We Will Rock You’ or the emotional comedy style of ‘Blood Brothers.’ But I would like to do something original. Any takers for ‘Gladiator - The Musical!’?
|
