Daniel Buckley is currently in the West End production of The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre as stand-by Elder Cunningham.
His theatre credits include playing Marvin Camden and 1st cover Lucas in Loserville (Garrick & West Yorkshire Playhouse), Piggy in Lord of the Flies (UK tour), Fresher – The Musical (Edinburgh Fringe) and Otto in Spring Awakening (UK tour).
Last year Daniel won the West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show for his portrayal of Marvin Camden in Loserville. Recently I went backstage at The Book of Mormon to chat to Daniel about his upcoming gig, why he thinks The Book of Mormon has been so successful and what it was like winning the West End Frame Award last year...
Are you enjoying your time in The Book of Mormon so far?
I’m really enjoying it! It’s an amazing show to be part of and I’m having such a good time, I get to work with lots of really fun people! I haven’t actually been on yet (for Elder Cunningham). I have a week in July and maybe some more dates later in the year.
It must be so hard waiting?!
I just sit in the dressing room which I share with the swing boys, sometimes I watch parts of the show to ensure I am ready to go on. I've finished rehearsals which technically means I'm ready to go on but Jared (Gertner) is such a trooper!
Why do you think The Book of Mormon has been such a massive success?
It just comes down to the fact that it a great show. The Book of Mormon is so well written and has a good plot with great characters and music. The show contains all you would expect from a musical: tap numbers, amazing costumes and so on but they have also thrown in a bit of South Park - Trey Parker and Matt Stone are geniuses! Mormons have come off really well out of it, you can’t get on the tube without seeing Mormon posters everywhere!
What was the rehearsal process like, especially as you were working with the original creative team?
It was very quick! The Americans have a very different way of working. Obviously they knew exactly what they were doing as this is their fourth production following Broadway, Chicago and the US Tour. At first the Mormon boys and Ugandans were separated for a few days so we could work on our separate parts. I remember listening to a rehearsal on the third day and it was already at performance standard – it was amazing! We were all knackered but it was incredible to be part of. Obviously Jared had been playing the role for two years so I learnt so much from just watching him. However, at the end of the rehearsal process Jared was off for a couple of days so I had to jump in for two runs in front of a selected audience... which was absolutely terrifying! I hadn't had my own rehearsals and was physically sick with nerves!
Gosh, what are you going to be like before your first show?!
Well this is the thing... I don’t know! I was also quite ill at the time and on antibiotics which didn’t help. I think it was because it was the first time everyone involved in the production was seeing the show so we all felt a lot of pressure, but it was an amazing experience and I’m so glad it happened. I've just got to wait until July now, you never know how adrenaline will affect you but I am sure I will love every moment.
What are the cast like to work with?
I share a dressing room with the swings and David (O'Reilly) who is the other Cunningham stand-by. It’s a really interesting situation to be in because it is so rare to have two stand-bys for the same role! We split all the holidays and get on really well. He is so amazing and entertains us all the time, he always just picks up my phone and prank calls someone.
This Sunday you are starring in your first cabaret at The Pheasantry, what can people expect?
Well, it’s called ‘Acoustic Sessions With...’ which is a great idea. I was so excited to be asked because I’ve wanted to do a gig for so long. Recently I performed in a few gigs but I got so nervous that I decided it just wasn’t for me... but here I am! I am going to be singing songs which stand out for me, some from contemporary musical theatre and some other stuff as well. I also have some great guests lined up, Stephanie Fearon and I are singing a very special duet from Ghost.
Before Book of Mormon, you starred in Loserville which must have been such a fun show to be part of?
Oh yes, looking back it was a brilliant experience and we all had so much fun. It was great starting in Leeds and then transferring to the West End, we all grew so close and I miss everyone so much!
And while you were in Loserville you won the West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show...
Oh my goodness it was so exciting! We were sitting in the dressing room between shows and one of the boys suddenly said “congratulations, you won!” and I couldn't believe it! The other nominees were all amazing and I’m pleased it stayed within theatre world and didn't just end up with Gavin and Stacey fans voting for Rob Brydon! Although, don’t get me wrong, I quite enjoy saying “I won an award against Rob Brydon and Jodie Prenger” haha!
Do you have any dream roles?
I am in one! The first time I heard the cast album I didn’t like it because I was grumpy but luckily I gave it a second chance and fell in love with the show. I knew I needed to be seen for the part!
What was the audition process like?
The audition process was long, I was in Leeds for Loserville so had to commute back and forth every week. I never did a full week of rehearsals. I had good vibes but obviously it was very nerve wracking! In terms of other dream roles I haven’t seen One Man, Two Guvnors yet but James Cordon has played Francis Henshall so I would love to play that role... actually I just want James Cordon’s career, is that ok? Well his or Sheridan Smith’s... well ok, maybe a bit of both... actually that's kinda weird.
I hear Andrew Lloyd Webber is turning School of Rock into a West End musical..?
Yes! People always tell me I look like Jack Black! I have been mistaken for him in the past and have just gone along with it. Personally I don’t think I look like him at all but there you go. Nathan Amzi said on Twitter that he also wanted to play the role too so we have decided to just share it. Although now Tim Prottey Jones has got involved so I've given up. I would also love to do some TV and film work.
Finally, what you like to say to everyone who has supported you throughout your career?
There are people who have supported me and are waiting to come and see the show when I’m on in July which is just amazing! I admire everyone who supports the theatre industry because I've been the person waiting at stage doord to ask performers for advice so I always have time for people. If you can’t get advice from the people who are doing it, who can you get advice from?! I admire anyone who waits at the stage door and tweets and so on, its amazing! I am exactly the same... that’s why I’m on Twitter! I’m obsessed with other peoples careers, I love hearing casting news and supporting other people, it’s so exciting! We are all just a little bit nosey, but in a supportive way, that’s what it's all about!
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com
Book tickets for Daniel’s gig this Sunday 12th May: www.speckulationentertainment.com/danielbuckleyacoustic.html
Click here to book tickets to see The Book of Mormon
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