Oliver Tilney graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2012 and went on to make his West End debut as Sky in Mamma Mia at the Novello Theatre in June 2013 as part of the show’s biggest ever cast change. Last August Oliver was nominated for West End Frame’s Best West End Debut Award, finishing third place.
His theatre credits include: Banquo in Macbeth directed by Paul Warwick (China Plate Theatre, UK tour), Captain Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame directed by David Calvitto (Selby Abbey, Belt-Up Theatre), Oliver in Some Small Love Story directed by Joseph Hufton (Flanagan Collective, South Hill Park) and The Improvised Musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Oliver’s film credits include: Sam in The Lake directed by Sukhdeep Krishan, Andrew in Brothers in Arms directed by Pekka Saari and Francis in Francis directed by Philip Crawford. He also stars in the international 'swap' commercial for Coke Zero.
Mamma Mia has been seen by more than 54 million people in 38 productions in 14 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office. The West End production has now been seen by more than 1 in 10 of the entire UK population. Mamma Mia is one of only five musicals to have run for more than 10 years both on Broadway and in the West End.
Oliver chats to West End Frame about life in Mamma Mia, having his first dance lesson at the age of 23 and how he deals with hen parties asking him to take off his clothes at the stage door…
How is life in Mamma Mia?
Great! It’s going really quickly, I’ve never done anything for this length of time before.
How have you found that? Is it hard keeping your performance fresh eight shows a week?
That hasn’t really been a problem yet, which has surprised me because I thought it would be tough. In a West End show there are so many people involved and so many understudies so from night to night there could be six or seven different people performing on stage which keeps you guessing! You can always find new things. If you’re not quite happy with something you get plenty more opportunities to get it right!
Mamma Mia is currently preparing to celebrate its fifteenth anniversary meaning a lot of people have played Sky before you. Did that add extra pressure when joining the show?
Yes, there was a bit of pressure actually. I think it’s the same with anything – like any Shakespeare part that people have played over and over again. You want to make the part your own but then you also need to fit in with what people expect. One in four households have a copy of the Mamma Mia movie and so I thought “I can’t change it that much because everybody knows this part!” That makes it tricky but it is also part of the challenge. I’m also not really a musical theatre actor so that also added more pressure when I was coming into the show! It was a surprise to get the part!
Emma Crossley (Sophie), Oliver & the 2013-14 cast of Mamma Mia
How did it come about then?! Have you ever done any musical theatre before?
Umm not really!
Have you always sung?
Not really [laughs]! I stated singing quite late, probably when I was about 21. I went to Uni and had a couple of mates there who taught me. I realised that if you’re going to be an actor you need as many strings to your bow as possible. Then there was the dancing as well! A few months ago we did a Q&A after the show and somebody asked all of us “When did you have your first dance lesson?” So we went down the line and everyone was saying 6 or 8, I think one person said 15… and then there was me who said “23”! I probably found it slightly harder than the others but we got there in the end! The first time I walked into Pineapple was a bit scary, for all the guys it’s like their second home and I had never been in! I’ve really enjoyed the dancing, once the initial fear had gone!
Why do you think Mamma Mia has been such a long-running hit all around the world?
It’s hard to pinpoint it! I just don’t think Mamma Mia pretends to be anything it’s not. It entertains you, makes you laugh, tap your foot and clap your hands. It gives people what they want and people love it! There is something in there for everyone. I think everyone leaves feeling better than they did when they arrived.
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| Dickie Wood (Pepper), Dan Krikler (Eddie) and Oliver |
What are the cast like to work with?
Great! I’ve never worked with such a big cast which was weird at first. It’s really nice and musical theatre actors have so much energy which is great because it’s rubbed off on me! They are a nice bunch of people, we have such a wide age range which is cool!
What’s the atmosphere like backstage? I imagine Mamma Mia is a fun show to be part of?
It is! Every now and again when the finale is coming up I think “oh God, here we go” because it’s like a fifteen minute sweat box! But then when it’s done I’m always like “no – that was cool!” and I leave with a smile on my face. Even on those days when you’re really struggling because you haven’t had enough coffee the finale gets you through it and leaves you in a good mood, and hopefully that comes across for the audience.
What’s your favourite Abba song?
That’s tricky! I’m not bored of the music at all! When an Abba song comes on the radio everyone always knows all the words – it’s great. My favourite Abba song is probably ‘Under Attack’ which is quite a controversial choice. It’s not one of their best known songs but it’s really catchy! That’s the song I most often catch myself whistling in the dressing room!
So far in your career you have played a wide variety of parts on stage and screen. Is variety something which is important to you?
Definitely, you can’t really pick and choose what you do early in your career – you take what you’re offered. But I’m really glad that it has been this varied. I think regardless of what you do variety is always a good thing. So far my career has been just about as physically diverse as it could have been, the last thing I did was Macbeth and going from that to Mamma Mia – there aren’t two more different shows [laughs]!
Do you get the chance to see much theatre?
Not that much, but I’ve recently seen Matilda and Once which I thought was amazing! Really good! I was excited about seeing it and it met all expectations and is right up my street. I also loved Matilda, it was really good fun!
Any dream roles?
It can be dangerous to have dream roles but I think everyone has them. I would love to play ‘The Actor’ in The Woman in Black, it’s such a great, great play. It’s been running for years and is terrifying! Another dream role is Macbeth and Biff in Death of a Salesman.
Dianne Pilkington (Donna), Oliver, Emma Crossley (Sophie) and Kim Ismay (Tanya)
Mamma Mia marks your West End debut. Was performing in the West End always an aim of yours?
I think any actor wants to end up working in the West End at some point, even those who mainly work in TV and film. It’s just so iconic. As I said, I’m still surprised to have got here! Particularly so early on in my career! I was so excited to be offered the part.
You were then nominated for West End Frame’s Best West End Debut Award, what was the whole process like for you? You received a lot of support!
It was lovely! It’s always nice to have feedback and people saying that they like what you do. Particularly as I was so nervous about the singing and dancing side of things! The support was amazing and it was great to come third.
What are Mamma Mia fans like?
There are always a lot of women who come to the stage door, they’re always very nice and friendly. Sometimes they may make one or two inappropriate comments, occasionally I’m asked to take my clothes off – I might add that I decline [laughs], I don’t start taking my clothes off at the stage door! The Hen Parties are always great fun, it’s always in good spirit! A bit of attention never hurt an actor!
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Read West End Frame's interviews with Mamma Mia cast members Dianne Pilkington and Dickie Wood and recent 5* review of the show.
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Photo Credit 2-4: Brinkhoff/Mögenburg
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