Mark Evans is currently in the West End production of Ghost The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre playing Sam Wheat. Mark's many theatre credits include the London production of High School Musical, Brad Majors in the UK national tour of the Rocky Horror Show, and one of musical theatre's most iconic leading male roles, Curly, in the recent UK national tour of OKLAHOMA!. He is also well known for his time playing Fiyero in the West End production of Wicked. We catch up with Mark to talk about Ghost closing, his debut album and West End in Wales.
Are you enjoying your time in Ghost The Musical?
I love it. It's by far the most challenging role I've played and I love the responsibility of telling one of the greatest love stories ever known.
How did you feel when you found out Ghost was closing?
We'd heard rumours for a while but I never believe anything in this industry until I hear the facts so it was a bit of a shock when it was all confirmed, it's a shame, but when it comes down to the financial side of things, the ticket sales took a bit of a dip and it's an expensive show to run so there was no other option. I am personally just happy to have done a good 9 month run of it and am excited to move onto other projects but I genuinely feel it's a shame for anyone who won't have seen it by the time it closes on October 6th as it is certainly a theatrical experience like no other and that's the words of the audience not just my own!
Sam Wheat is a very demanding role to play, how do you look after yourself to ensure you can do 8 shows a week?
It is tough! Very tough! There is the vocal strain from continually singing and shouting and talking, the physical strain from never being off stage and the role being so physical but then there is the pressure of letting people down which I find hard. As an actor, once you develop a following it is so hard to not disappoint people when you sometimes have no choice to be off the show. I am lucky that I have a great support system and a lot of the time if I'm not fit to perform the show, the decision is 90% of the time made for me by my doctor or osteopath or physiotherapist - and I have no choice but to follow their instruction to ensure I avoid damaging myself further.
How does playing Sam in Ghost compare to playing Fiyero in Wicked?
They are two completely different roles in shows that are impossible to compare which is why I loved playing them both. As an audience member the great thing about the West End is the variety of theatre on offer, and as an actor, to get to play roles so different to one another immediately after one another is really great for me and really keeps me interested and challenged as an actor.
You recently released the deluxe version of your debut album ‘The Journey Home’. Are you proud of the album?
I'm very proud of the album, it's very personal to me and a lot of hard work went into it and I'm thrilled with the amazing response I seem to continue to get from people who have bought it and enjoy listening to it. It's especially rewarding when someone tells me they are inspired by it, as that was one of my main goals when creating the album.
Tell us about ‘West End In Wales’
It's a company I set up 6 years ago to promote youth theatre, primarily in the North Wales ae but also in general. The main thing I run is an annual week long summer school for ages 9-18, giving them the opportunity to work alongside myself and other professional west end performers to create an incredibly high standard end of week showcase. It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and one of my proudest achievements to date.
As cheesy as it sounds, does it feel good to be able to give something back?
Of course. That's the reason I run the summer school. I am providing what I wish I would have had on offer as a teenager in that area. The talent in North Wales is incredible and I am glad I have had a hand in nurturing some of my students within whom I genuinely see a lot of potential and a bright future. It's mostly about building the confidence of kids and teenagers who are constantly being told off for being in the wrong or being told not to do something, but at West End In Wales they are encouraged to discover who they really are as a personality and to be confident and brave enough to accept that who or what they are is good enough, no matter what line of work you enter into.
What advice would you give to any aspiring actors?
Train professionally and work hard. I read a book recently called 'The Golden Rules Of Acting That Nobody Ever Tells You', by Andy Nyman. It doesn't teach you how to act, but how to be an actor - there's a huge difference and it's a priceless book that I urge every actor to buy and read!
Are there any roles you would like to play in the future?
Plenty. As long as my career continues to be varied I'll be happy.
Finally what would you like to say to all of your fans?
There's nothing I can say without sounding cliché. I never thought I'd have a fan base and the support I get now is incredible. So I would just like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone and anyone who has ever come to see a show I was in, bought one of my CD's, come to stage door, written fan mail, given gifts and cards, and even sent a tweet or a message to one of my fan sites!
Visit Mark's website: www.markevansonline.co.uk
Follow Mark on Twitter: @MarkHEvans
Visit www.ghostthemusical.com to find out more about Ghost and to book tickets (not long left to see it now so get booking)!
Make sure you follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest theatre news, reviews and interviews! @West_End_Frame
Enjoyed reading this interview, Mark has great talent. Glad I got the opportunity to see Ghost before it closed enjoyed it so much!
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