Ray Shell is currently starring as Marvin in the world premiere of Perseverance Drive which runs at the Bush Theatre until Saturday 16th August 2014.
Shell famously created the role of Rusty in Starlight Express. His other West End credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon, Children of Eden, Gone with the Wind, The Lion King and The Bodyguard.
As well as working on screen and starring in plays at some of London’s most prestigious theatres, Ray has starred in cabarets and ventured into writing, producing and directing. He is the creative director of Giant Olive Theatre Company.
In the heat of the Caribbean sun and to the familiar sound of gospel hymns, Robin Soans’ play follows the Gillard family as they prepare for the funeral of their mother Grace. Tensions ignite as opera-loving, chardonnay-quaffing Josh returns after 8 years of excommunication. Widowed Eli wants to sell the family home on Perseverance Drive, but Grace’s will reveals a different plan.
London, 5 years later. The table is set with Tiger Malt, lashings of Madeira cake and chocolate digestives (milk, not dark). Secrets are exposed at this last family gathering but Eli knows time is running out: Can the Gillard family reconcile their faith in God with their faith in one another?
When I recently spoke to Ray he told me he is delighted to finally be working at the Bush. “I used to live down the street from the Bush” he explained. “I always passed it and wondered what went on in there! It’s great to be finally working within the place, it is very respected and world renowned – it’s a great place to be a part of.”
Ray can identify with the play as he says he “grew up in the same sort of atmosphere”, but he also thinks many will be able to relate to the family and what they’re going through. “Everybody has experienced grief. Grief creates a whole new atmosphere and puts you into a different kind of box and affects your reactions, particularly towards those you love.
“You can find out things you never thought you would find out; it’s a very bizarre situation to be in. It’s a situation people don’t recognise until they’re right in the middle of it and have actually lost someone very close and dear to them. It’s a specific situation some people will really relate to. All the best plays are universal, and there are things in this play that are very, very universal. It’s about a family who are trying to hold it together and get beyond their own self prejudices and self-righteousness to actually remember they do love each other.”
Ray thinks Perseverance Drive provides audiences with plenty to think about. He said, “I hope they will leave remembering that there is actually a thing called ‘love’ and that with true love there is no judgement. If you truly love a person you accept them. There might be things about that person you do not like or appreciate, but if you love them love will keep you together. That should be the message that all religions give.
“We spend our whole lives judging other people so I hope by coming to see this show people can take away that we are just different colours of skin and beneath that we are all flesh and blood and skeleton and brains.”
Starring in the world premiere of a new play or musical is always an exciting prospect, but something Ray is certainly no stranger to. He said, “It’s great being in a first company because you get to set the standards – you get the first bite of the apple and then anyone else who comes after you will be in a position where they follow what you established.”
Alongside Perseverance Drive, Ray has recently been busy with cabaret appearances as well as directing, producing and writing work. Whilst many desire this variety, Ray told me he didn’t necessarily set out to do all these different things. “It just sort of happened that way” he revealed, “I didn’t plan it at all. If I hadn’t come to the United Kingdom some of these things may not have happened because there would not have been a need for it to happen.
“The writing came about because I went home and saw a problem I wasn’t familiar with so I started investigating it, and my investigation turned into a novel. I only did cabaret because I was invited to do so. I didn’t study to do musical theatre – I trained as a straight actor – but I got here and had kids and found out that they pay you more in musicals [laughs] so I got hired and continued to get hired! Most actors, like myself, get bored very easily so being able to do different things not only improves your income streams, but also makes life more interesting."
Ray has played some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, most notably creating the role of Rusty in Stralight Express which is currently celebrating its thirtieth anniversary year. So what’s it like for Ray to look back at the experience? “It’s interesting because you never know you’re making history while you’re doing it” he told me, “You just don’t know what’s going to happen! I guess that just shows you always should do the best that you can do.
“My children were young kids when Starlight Express first came out and now I can take my grandchildren to Germany to see it there. I can watch the guy playing Rusty and hear things that I started, or things I was told to do that all the other Rustys have done over those thirty years [laughs]! I’m humbled, grateful and thankful that I was given that opportunity.
“It’s like Miss Saigon which has opened again – I went to see it which was a reminder of just how blessed I have been to have had a career which includes all these shows! Although I know I’m getting old now because they’re all coming back [laughs]!
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Perseverance Drive runs at the Bush Theatre until Saturday 16th August 2014.
Please visit www.bushtheatre.co.uk for further information and tickets.
Photo Credit 2: Richard Davenport
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