Daniel Boys recently joined the West End production of Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre as Sir Lancelot.
Lovingly ripped off from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot follows King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in their quest to find the Holy Grail. Spamalot originally ran in the West End at the Palace Theatre between 2006 and 2009. Following a UK Tour a new production of the musical opened at the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre in July 2012 before transferring to the Playhouse Theatre from November 2012.
Daniel Boys is best known for coming sixth place on Any Dream Will Do and for starring as Princeton and Rod in the West End production of Avenue Q for over two years at the Noel Coward and Gielgud Theatres.
His theatre credits also include: The Opinion Makers (Mercury Colchester/Derby), High Society (Tour), Tommy (Prince Edward), Godspell (Palace Manchester), The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Royal, Windsor), Ordinary Days, Wolfboy (both at Trafalgar Studios), Sweeney Todd (Royal Festival Hall), Rent (Prince of Wales/Tour), The War of the Worlds (Tour), Grease (Victoria Palace/Tour), West Side Story (Tour) and Sunset Boulevard (Tour).
Daniel is the international voice of the Neighbours theme tune for Channel Five / Network 10. He released his debut solo album, So Close, in 2009 which led to him performing in LA, Adelaide and Sydney. Recently I spoke to Daniel about why he was so nervous about joining Spamalot, how it feels to be back in the West End and why the novelty of singing the Neighbours theme tune will never wear off…
How did you feel about joining Spamalot?
I was actually really nervous – the most nervous I’ve ever felt being in a show for some reason. It’s going ok and I seem to get nice feedback from people. I’m relieved the first few shows are out the way and I can now try to enjoy it. It’s such a fun show and a joy to be in!
Does it feel good to be back in the West End?
Yes, it’s really lovely. The last long contract I had was Avenue Q and I left the show in January 2010 which is quite a while ago. Obviously I’ve done other things, like at Trafalgar Studios, but it’s nice to be back in a proper West End theatre again!
How much did you know about Spamalot before you joined? Had you seen it?
Yes! I’m a big Monty Python fan, I grew up watching their films with my dad and brother who are also huge Monty Python fans. I saw the original West End production at the Palace Theatre, my friend Hannah Waddington played The Lady of the Lake. I loved it but never, ever thought I would end up being in it!
Why not?
I don’t know! I just thought ‘I can’t do that’! I don’t see myself as a funny person yet I keep being cast in comic roles [laughs]. Maybe I am funnier than I think! The audition came through and in the breakdown it said ‘has to be good at accents’ and I don’t consider myself being great at accents either. So I was a little scared and dubious, but I got the role! So there we go.
Have you been able to make the part your own?
During rehearsals the director said we can literally do these characters however we like. That’s why it’s such a joy to do the show, I don’t have to worry about who played the role before. I haven’t met him yet, but apparently Eric Idle comes to see the show and gives suggestions but he loves to see people’s spin on things. Joe Pasquale certainly makes it his own, he’s hilarious! You never know what he’s going to come out with [laughs].
Daniel and James Bisp (Sir Galahad) at the Spam Burger Give Away
What’s the atmosphere like backstage?
Everyone has been so loving and supportive. It was just me and a guy called Jamie (Tyler, Ensemble) who joined the cast. It’s difficult and slightly scary coming into a show which is already established, but everybody has been lovely – they had to come in and rehearse with me which I felt guilty about! It’s really fun backstage. To be honest, what surprised me is that we don’t get much chance to see each other backstage because we’re constantly coming off and then have a massive change into the next character.
Spamalot is a show which has such wide appeal – anybody who likes or doesn’t like musicals will love the show. What is the secret to its success?
I think it’s very British and a lot of people just get that humour. Some of the things we do in the show are absolutely ridiculous! You can’t help but laugh! I watched a few shows a few weeks ago and I was listening to the people next to me. Before the show the wife was like “I don’t know why you’ve brought me to this” and then she was in tears of laughter! In the interval she said she was absolutely loving the show – it’s one of those shows which is genuinely funny! It’s not a traditional musical; it takes the mickey out of itself and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Slightly un-theatre related – but let’s discusses Neighbours! Has the novelty of singing the theme tune worn off yet?
[laughs] It’s weird because I still watch Neighbours – that’s how I found out about the competition. I know it’s a bit sad that I still watch it, but I do. Even now when I watch it I think ‘oh god, that’s me singing’. It’s a really strange feeling! I don’t talk about it or anything, but it’s amazing how many people think it’s amazing! It’s bizarre! I still have to kick myself that I sing it because I’ve watched it since I was a kid and if I’d known then that I would sing the theme tune…. [laughs] it’s very strange!
You’re starring in West End Recast on Sunday 16th March, what can people expect?
I think it’s going to be such a fun evening! We had a day of rehearsals to go through our final songs and I heard a few people, I’m not going to give anything away but I think some of the song choices are very clever and really fun. I’m going to play a role that’s in the West End at the moment which lots of girls want to play…
Imagine you had to move to a desert island and could only take three musical theatre songs with you… which three would you choose?
Gosh! This is really difficult! Umm… you’ve thrown me! I think one has to be the Quintet from West Side Story, because for me West Side Story is the most amazing musical ever written. What else? This is going to sound weird… but I’m going to go with Starlight Express because it’s the first show I ever saw. I fell in love with it and it got me into musical theatre. My third one… gosh… You’ll Never Walk Alone from Carousel! It’s such an inspiring song and it’s the first show I ever did with my amateur dramatics society. Whenever I listen to it I get tingles! So there’s my three… I’m not sure whether they’re good choices or not [laughs]?!
Finally, it must be amazing to have so much support behind you from fans?
It’s a weird thing being a performer because you’re always doubting yourself and it seems strange but even successful actors are always thinking ‘what’s my next job going to be? Am I ever going to work again?’ And so to get messages from people is so lovely because when I’m having a down day and get a message of support like ‘when can we see you perform again? I love your album!’ it’s so nice. I’m so grateful that people are so supportive and seem to want me to do things, I’m always very humbled. When it was announced I was joining Spamalot the response was quite overwhelming! It made me feel very warm inside and very grateful.
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Spamalot runs at the Playhouse Theatre until Saturday 12th April 2014.
Click here to book tickets (top price seats reduced to £31.50).
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