Ashley Day is currently in The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre. He recently won West End Frame’s Understudy Of The Year Award for understudying Elder Price, a role which he has played on many occasions and to great acclaim.
The Book of Mormon opened in the West End earlier this year. After opening, the show set the record for the biggest single day of sales in West End and Broadway history. Between 10am and midnight on 22nd March 2013 (the day after opening), £2,107,972 was taken in ticket sales. The Book of Mormon comes from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez and follows a pair of Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s a long way from Salt Lake City.
Ashley previously starred as Troy Bolton in the UK Tour of High School Musical and most recently appeared in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, understudying the Scarecrow.
His other theatre credits include: Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), The World Goes Round (Castle, Wellingborough), Irving Stone in Babes in Arms (Chichester Festival Theatre), Dream Gabey in On the Town directed by Jude Kelly (English National Opera), Evita directed by Michael Grandage (Adelphi), Mary Poppins directed by Richard Eyre (original cast, Prince Edward), Liquorice Man in Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker (Sadler’s Wells), Dream Curly in Oklahoma! (Cardiff & Peacock, London), Creation (Edinburgh Festival) and Oliver! (London Palladium).
Recently I spoke to Ashley about winning Understudy Of The Year, when he first fell in love with The Book of Mormon and his dream roles...
At the moment The Book of Mormon is everywhere, but when did you first hear about the show?
I downloaded the soundtrack as soon as the show opened on Broadway because I had heard a lot about it. As soon as I listened to it, I was like “wow – I want to do that”. I also saw a clip of Andrew (Rannells) performing ‘I Believe’ at the Tony’s and even though I hadn’t seen the show I could tell that Elder Price would be a dream role for any guy. That was the first time I heard about the show and the first time I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
The audition process was crazy, but I didn’t put too much pressure on myself because whatever will be will be. I had thirteen auditions, the most I had ever had for anything else before was six. It was intense and it seemed like the whole of the West End was auditioning – everybody wanted to be in the show so badly! I am so grateful and feel very lucky.
So it must have felt good when you got the call and found out you were in the cast?!
I was ecstatic, completely over the moon!
In so many interviews people tell me that they want to originate a role, or be a part of an original cast. What was it like working with all the creative team during the rehearsal process?
Casey Nicholaw (co-director and choreographer) was with us from day one of rehearsals and then Trey Parker (co-director and book, music and lyrics) came over after we’d blocked it and added in his genius moments. Everybody just fell to pieces when he spoke because he said the lines, not just how they were written, but how he heard them. I think Casey is the nicest director I’ve ever worked for, he was so inspiring and helpful throughout the process.
The Book of Mormon has literally taken the West End by storm. Why do you think it has taken off in such an incredible way?
I think the humour is off the scale funny, I am yet to meet somebody who has seen the show and not found it hysterical. But also, when I saw the show on Broadway I was surprised about how much heart it has. I saw it the week before we started rehearsals and sat next to one of the producers, Anne Garefino. Afterwards she was like “What do you think, what do you think?” and I said “It’s actually really touching!” She replied “That’s exactly what we want”. It’s not just an excuse to say lots of bad words, it has also got a lot of heart behind it, the two characters go on a full circle. It’s that mixture of humour and heart which is just perfect. Some shows are really, really funny or have a lot of heart, but The Book of Mormon has both.
What are the cast like to work with?
The cast are amazing. When I’m in my normal track, Hitler and Jesus double – my quick change from Hitler into Jesus is a little bit crazy, there’s seven of us Mormon boys and we all share a dressing room. I love the boys, we’re like brothers. And then when I’m on for Elder Price, Jared (Gertner, Elder Cunningham) is just incredible. Every show is like a new show for him and he gives you so much to play off.
You had your first Elder Price performance unexpectedly the week after the show opened as Gavin Creel became ill with laryngitis. What was it like going on at the very last minute?
Crazy! I was in the gym, on the treadmill, and our company manager called me and asked me to come into work a little bit earlier. We had a rehearsal anyway, so I turned up and he said “you’re on tonight”. I was just like “ok – cool.” I had had a couple of sessions with Casey going through a few scenes but I had never run the show as Price or done any of the quick changes, but in my mind I was ready. I prepared myself and that night was amazing. Luckily my family were in town so could come and see me and I will always remember it – it was a big moment!
So after listening to the soundtrack just after the show opened on Broadway, what was it like to actually play Elder Price?
It’s everything I could have ever imagined... and more! If I think about it, it freaks me out because you don’t stop, but the energy of the piece keeps you going. You have to play him with 120 percent positivity and energy.
I loved Matilda! Recently I had some time off and saw Chimerica and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time which were both incredible! At the moment I’m also obsessed with the Pippin soundtrack and want it to come over so badly! The boys in the dressing room take the mickey out of me because I listen to it through my headphones while I’m getting ready, like a musical theatre geek – which I’m not – but for some reason I’m really taken by the show.
Imagine you have to go to a desert island and can only take three musical theatre songs with you... which three do you take?
Oh my goodness... oh wow! See, I’m not enough of a musical theatre geek! Ok - Where Do I Go from Hair because I love Hair. On The Right Track from Pippin and I Believe from The Book of Mormon – it has to be done!
Have you got any dream roles?
Pippin in Pippin, I’d quite like to have a go at something in Newsies. I would also love to play Burt in Mary Poppins, Tony in West Side Story and Bobby Child in Crazy For You.
A few months ago you won Understudy Of The Year, what was the whole process like for you?
Amazing! I got the nomination letter on a really, really bad day. I had had some bad news and it was such a surprise! This year has been a tough year and I was obviously delighted to be nominated. Then, all of a sudden all of my friends went crazy on Twitter and Facebook, making sure that people who had seen the show then went and voted! Luckily around the time of voting I had quite a few shows as Elder Price which obviously helped! It was great and I am very honoured and thankful to have won!
When it was announced that you had won you received the most incredible response. What would you like to say to everyone who voted?
A massive, massive thank you! I am so grateful and I hope you get the chance to see me as Elder Price again! If I think about it too much it feels weird – the whole thing was amazing and I feel very lucky!
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com
The Book of Mormon is currently booking at the Prince of Wales Theatre until 8th February 2014.
Click here to book tickets (no booking fee at certain performances).
Ashley’s Elder Price dates are usually published on his Facebook Page.
You can also follow him on Twitter: @Ashleyday_86
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We are currently counting down to our 100th interview! Click here for more information.
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