2:17pm Friday 14th November 2008
By Scene South
What first attracted you to The Witches of Eastwick? “I did Chicago and really enjoyed it and I was looking for another project in musical theatre that was equally special. It was over two years before I found the one I wanted to do. I got a call saying I had the opportunity to work on a production of The Witches of Eastwick and so I went out to America to watch a production with the original director, Schaeffer. I was very excited by it and immediately thought this is the part for me. I didn’t get a chance to see it when it first came out and Ian McShane did it. I think it’s very relevant now, what with the popularity of things like Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives.”
Darryl Van Horne is a very engaging character, as was Billy Flynn in Chicago. Is the appeal of the character a big part of your decision? “It’s definitely a case of that. I really thought Darryl could be a fun part. When you’re doing eight shows a week and I’ve signed up for a good few months you want a part that is always evolving. You don’t want it to become like Groundhog Day every day. Darryl has really engaged my imagination. He suddenly appears in this 1950s suburban town of white picket fences and he completely disturbs it.”
This is only your third musical theatre role (apart from Chicago, Marti also had starred in the lead role of the Arbiter in Sir Tim Rice’s musical Chess at the Royal Albert Hall). Are you still learning?
“Oh, from everybody, every day. That’s what it is all about. I’ve had such an eclectic career in different genres and enjoyed every opportunity. It’s really not that different from being a singer-songwriter, it’s all about engaging your imagination.”
So did you find it an easy transition from major recording artist to musical theatre leading man? “Well, when you’re a lyricist you try to inhabit the song as you write it, as if you were a character anyway. I’m fortunate to work with people with vision who wanted to explore what I could do and that’s never a bad thing. I’ve enjoyed the transition.”
Are there any other musical roles you have your eye on? “Yes I’d like to do Nine, the musical based on Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2. I saw Antonio Banderas do it on Broadway and I saw it at the Donmar Theatre and loved it both times. I’ve heard they’re making a movie out of it at the moment with Nicole Kidman so maybe there will be another stage version, but it’s a bit dark.”
Do you think there will ever be a musical based on the songs of Wet Wet Wet? “I haven’t heard the idea floated and I don’t think so. But everybody does do that and we do have a great back catalogue. I prefer a musical to be original rather than welded together to fit the songs of one group. But it worked for Mamma Mia! and it worked for We Will Rock You so maybe it could work for Wet Wet Wet.”
Are you involved in any other projects at the moment away from musical theatre? “Yes, I’ve just finished recording my new album which I really enjoyed, and when I get a few weeks off I’m going to go back to America to do some more work on my singing.”
How do you look back on your career so far and the path it has taken? “I’m so lucky to have been afforded the luxury of a fan base which has allowed me to go into different genres and still be supportive. I’m constantly amazed by how brave they are as an audience and how they allow me to be brave and think out of the box.
What advice would you give to performers hoping to emulate your success? “Everybody’s journey is completely different, but I would say believe in what you do, surround yourself with good people and listen to what they say. That’s what I do. Just remember everybody’s first name and how many sugars they take in their tea. That’s important.”
You’ve performed at The Mayflower before in Chicago. Do you have fond memories of the place? “Oh yes, it was one of the places I wanted to be included on the tour before I took this job. There is a great theatre following in Southampton and I’m really looking forward to coming back and entertaining the audiences. The audiences were so receptive last time – so it’s your own fault I’m coming back. You’ve only got yourself to blame. Make sure you all come and dance with the devil!”
Marti appears in The Witches of Eastwick, which runs at The Mayflower from Monday to Saturday. Tickets are available from the box office on 023 8071 1811 or from mayflower.org.uk.
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