Interview: Tim Driesen

Tim Driesen is currently playing Joey Primo as well as alternating Drew and understudying Stacee Jaxx in the West End production of Rock Of Ages at the Garrick Theatre. After leaving the musical on 27th July, Tim will originate the role of Frankie Valli in the Dutch production of Jersey Boys. He was recently nominated for West End Frame’s Understudy of the Year Award.

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), Phoebus and Gringoire in “Notre Dame de Paris” (Antwerp & Asian tour, winner VMP Best Supporting Actor in a Musical), creating the part of Adrian Banks/Mark Owen in “Never Forget” (Savoy Theatre and UK tour), Mark in “Rent in Concert” (Garrick Theatre), “Starlight Express” (UK tour), “The Rocky Horror Show” (European Tour), “Bat Boy- the musical” (Shaftesbury Theatre), “Mamma Mia” (Prince Edward Theatre), Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (UK tour) and David Cassidy/Donny Osmond in “Thank You For The Music” (UK tour).

Last week I caught up with Tim between shows to discuss his time in Rock Of Ages, how he’s been preparing to play Frankie Valli and his favourite shows in London...

You only have a couple of weeks left in Rock Of Ages, what will you miss most about the show?

Whenever you leave the show it’s always the people you miss the most, regardless of how long you’ve been in it for. It sounds cliché, but over the past ten months we’ve become a family. It’s funny because you don’t choose to be together, everyone’s thrown together by chance, yet everyone still gets on and we’ve had an amazing time together. I see more of my colleagues than I do of my real family so to suddenly not see everyone every day will be very strange!

Can you pick a favourite song from the show?

I have a favourite song to sing and a favourite song to listen to. My favourite song to sing is... wait... this is actually really hard! My favourite song to listen to is "Harden My Heart/Shadows of the Night” which is the girl’s song at the end of Act One, I love listening to it every night. When I’m on as Drew my favourite song to sing is “I Wanna Rock” and when I’m on as Stacee my favourite song to sing is “Wanted Dead or Alive”.

Have things ever gone wrong on stage?

Things go wrong all the time! Sometimes we have technical difficulties such as doors not opening and so on which we always find quite funny, but doesn't happen very often. Bits of headgear have flown off into the audience and, when I’m on as Stacee, during the live video sometimes the ping pong balls get thrown too hard into my face or skittles go flying everywhere. It’s mostly small things, although once one of the cast fell off stage and literally onto the laps of the people sat in the front row! 

Have you enjoyed having the opportunity to play both Drew and Stacee Jaxx?

Yes, they are both completely different roles! Drew is a big sing and I really have to look after myself in order to play him. I can’t drink or stay out late and I need a lot of rest and water. He is more of the 'generic leading man' role whereas Stacee Jaxx is the crazy character which I never usually get to play! It’s amazing to be able to do both on a regular basis as they are two extremes.

What is it like being an understudy?

Once you know a part it’s fine. The first time you go on is always very scary but then you get used to it. Every day we receive a text message at 4pm telling us if there are any understudies on for that day’s performance. I’m alternate Drew so have weekly shows (every Monday) and know most of my cover dates in advance, when cast are on holiday etc, so it’s never usually a shock. 

Have you ever had to go on last minute?

Once I had to go on for Drew half way through a show. I knew Ross [Hunter] was a little unwell at the start but he got worse as the show went on and couldn't continue. It all happened very quickly, you just have to get on with it. The audience were very understanding and forgiving because they could see that I had changed parts halfway through the show and the response at the end was very nice! I had to leave mid-performance once too because I was unwell, it happens, you can’t help it. 

You’re leaving London to originate the role of Frankie Valli in the Dutch production of Jersey Boys... are you excited?!

Yes I’m really excited, but also a bit apprehensive. Drew and Galileo are both big parts but in Jersey Boys Frankie sings about 22 of the 24 songs! There is so much to learn and sing as he’s on stage almost the whole way through the show; I will have so much to remember. I’m looking forward to it, but it is going to be a challenge!

Is it a role you’ve always had your eye on?

Yes, ever since I saw the show and heard the cast album I have wanted to play Frankie. I’ve auditioned for the role a few times in London but obviously nobody ever leaves the show because it is such a great musical to be part of. Finally they announced a production in Holland and because I speak Dutch, which makes things a little bit easier, I can now play one of my dream parts! The songs are still performed in English because they are in the context of performance pieces but all the dialogue has been translated into Dutch.

As you mentioned, Frankie is such a huge role so how are you preparing?

About a month ago they sent me to New York to do workshops with the creative team. I sang through all the songs and did some of the choreography so they could see what standard I was at. I then went to Nashville to meet Bob Gaudio who is one quarter of The Four Seasons and wrote most of the songs in the show. 

How amazing, what was that like?

To sing “Can't Take My Eyes Off You” in a massive recording studio in Nashville for the guy who actually wrote the song and has heard millions of versions of it was an honour and a privilege. He gave me so many tips about how to be the best Frankie I can be. Also, every Frankie and alternate Frankie in every production gets two vocal lessons with the American vocal coach each week which is conducted via Skype – technology is amazing! 

How does working on a West End show compare to working in other countries?

It’s very similar, the sets, choreography and music all stay the same. The script also stays the same - it’s just translated into a different language. Most importantly the quality of the show also stays the same because people are paying the same amount of money! The main difference is just your surroundings.

How do the audiences compare?

In general, a European audience will be a little more involved and crazy than in the West End. Obviously in Rock Of Ages we get people up on their feet every night but in Holland people actually often get out of their seats in the middle of the show and start singing along and dancing in the aisles! I’m guessing Jersey Boys is going to be one of those sorts of shows.

What are some of your favourite shows in London at the moment?

Everyone says it but I love Matilda, it is just such a great show! I still love the classics, the reason Phantom and Les Mis have been going for so long is because they are simply good shows. Mamma Mia is also a great guilty pleasure of mine! I loved Singin’ in the Rain and obviously I love Jersey Boys. I’m very excited that Newsies is coming over, I saw it in New York and it was amazing! There are so many good shows around at the moment.

Finally, you were recently nominated for our Understudy of the Year Award and you received such an amazing response, you had fans campaigning for you to win! What is it like receiving that kind of support?

Rock Of Ages have got some great fans! I’m really bad at self promotion and Tweeting and re-Tweeting and so on, so to have other people doing all that for me and to have people taking the time to vote is just all you can ask for! 

Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com

Follow Tim on Twitter: @TimDriesen
Visit Tim’s website: www.timdriesen.co.uk

Click here to read our previous interview with Tim from October 2012.
Click here to book tickets to see Rock Of Ages.

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