Tim Driesen is currently playing Joey Primo/alternate Drew in the West End production of Rock Of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Tim's theatre credits include Young Ken Barlow in “Coronation Street Of Dreams” (MEN Arena), Galileo in “We Will Rock You” (Antwerp, Nominated VMP Best Actor in a Musical), and Mark in “Rent in Concert” (Garrick Theatre). He also created the part of Adrian Banks/Mark Owen in “Never Forget” (Savoy Theatre and UK tour). Tim chats to West End Frame about Rock Of Ages, the show he is currently writing and what roles he would like to play in the future...
How are you enjoying Rock Of Ages so far?
It’s a total joy of a show to be working on. I get to work with great colleagues on and off stage, sing songs I’ve enjoyed listening to for years every night and get away with wearing outlandish wigs… what’s not to like?!
Why do you think the show is so popular?
It must be because it’s just pure fun. The show doesn't take itself seriously at all and takes the mickey out of musical theatre in an endearing way. It’s a high energy show with lots of humour and popular songs. It’s the kind of show girls can take their boyfriends to and it’ll be the boyfriend that will book tickets to come and see the show again (80/90’s songs and scantily clad girls may have something to do with it).
What is it like alternating Drew?
I don’t think it’s wrong to say that Drew is probably the hardest sing for a male vocalist in any West End show at the moment. 80’s songs are ridiculously high and on top of that there’s quite a lot of dialogue that drives through at a high energy level too. Thankfully I get to play the part every Tuesday, which means my stamina stays up cos it does feel like you’ve run a marathon by the end of the show. I played Galileo in We Will Rock You, Antwerp last year and I never thought there was a harder show to sing… I was wrong!
What is the atmosphere like backstage at the Shaftesbury Theatre?
It may sound cliché, but it’s like one big family. Which isn’t the case for every show, especially in the West End where for a lot of people it’s a clock in, clock out type of job, whereas on tour you’re kinda stuck with whoever you’re working with and more of a family feel gets created automatically. We have very regular company outings (usually dinner or drinks after the show). Everyone, cast and crew get on amazingly well and there’s a lot of fun to be had, on as well as off stage.
What are the rest of the cast like to work with?
Just brilliant. Everyone in the cast is so incredibly good at what they do. Jill Green, who casts the show, has done an amazing job at putting together such a lovely bunch of people. It doesn’t matter whether you get the A cast playing, or whether a cover goes on, the show remains of the same standard, which is a testament to the people they've put together.
Having previously played Galileo in We Will Rock You how does it feel to be in another rock musical?
My vocal chords will probably hate me at the end of this contract, but singing great, timeless songs, whether by Queen, Journey, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi,… is always a joy. It’s not bad coming into work every day and getting to sing songs I’ve grown up with! And I’d defy anyone not to feel happy after hearing a song like ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ which closes the show.
When did you first decide that you wanted to be an actor?
I think I’ve always known. As a kid, I’d put on performances in our back garden for the neighbours. My sister would stand at the gate and collect money (not to my knowledge) while I would put on a show. Then when I was 12 I was in a TV series in Belgium, called ‘The Bubbles’ (pre-decessor to S Club) and I kept on performing while finishing off my education before I come to England when I was 18 to study at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom.
What advice would you give to any aspiring actors?
That’s a hard question. I’d say, first of all make sure you know that you’re good at what you do, which may be controversial to say, but in a business where you’re usually unemployed as much as you’re employed, you need to know whether or not you’re employable. Second of all: it’s hard work and you need thick skin, because acting is a subjective art form where not everyone may like what you do and where rejection is something you have to be able to live with. But apart from that, once you’re on that stage doing what you’re best at, there’s no feeling like it.
You are currently writing a show called ‘Rebound’. Have you always been interesting in writing theatre?
I’ve always been interested in being creative and I’ve written songs from the age of 16 onwards, but more as a way to be active on an artistic level when not performing I guess. But for the last 5-6 years I’ve been writing more with the eye on the future. I love theatre and for every amazing new show that’s out there there are 10 that aren’t that great, so instead of complaining about how bad a show was, I thought: I can do better than that, so let’s put my money where my mouth is. And I’m loving the whole creative process.
Are there any roles you would like to play or shows you would like to be part of in the future?
That is so difficult to say. There have been parts that I wanted to play, like Galileo in We Will Rock You, Rusty in Starlight Express and ‘Mark Owen’ in Never Forget. Which are all parts I ended up playing. But you can never guess what your next job is going to be. I’ve always wanted to play Joe Gillis in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and Charlie Kringass in ‘Merrily We Roll Along’, but I also love new shows and creating a part from scratch, as well as writing my own stuff (for other people to sing/act)
Finally, what would you like to say to everyone who has supported you throughout your career?
Obviously I’d say thank you and please continue to do so! To people that have been there from the start, like my family and friends, I say it on a regular basis. I am so lucky to have had so much support from them. And for everyone coming to see the shows I’ve done/will do in the future: as long as you’re enjoying what we do, we’re doing our job well, and that’s all you can ask for as an performer.
Follow Tim on Twitter: @TimDriesen
Visit Tim's Website: www.timdriesen.co.uk
Visit www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk to find out more about Rock Of Ages and to book tickets
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