Big Interview: Benjamin Yates, star of Tommy & Cats

Benjamin Yates is currently playing a Pinball Wizard in The Who's Tommy at the Blackpool Opera House. 

Based on the iconic 1969 double-album rock opera, Tommy is an exhilarating musical about hope, healing, and the human spirit. The cast also includes X Factor winner Joe McElderry, Blue's Antony Costa, Ashley J Russell, Will Barratt and Melanie Bright.

Benjamin most recently recreated the role of Mungojerrie in the first West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium, working alongside the original creative team including Trevor Nunn, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gillian Lynne. He previously played the role in the musical’s UK and European tours. 

Benjamin’s theatre credits also include: title role in Aladdin (Loughborough), ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar (UK and Australian Arena Tour), Sonny in Grease (Ljubljana Festival) and title role in Jack and the Beanstalk (Loughborough). He is also currently supporting West End Bares, having posed for this year’s ‘Take Off’ promotional images.

I recently spoke to Benjamin about why he’s thrilled to be belting out a rock score in Tommy, what it was like to meet his idol whilst starring in Cats and what his nana thought of his West End Bares photoshoot, plus much more…

Had you seen Tommy before?

I had never even seen the film! I didn’t know much about the music although obviously I knew the classics like ‘Pinball Wizard’. I didn’t really know anything so when this came up I thought, ‘This will be interesting!’ I listened to the soundtrack and it’s the complete opposite to Cats, which I’ve just finished, and it’s quite nice to do something the complete opposite. Also, I didn’t sing a lot in Cats, so it’s great to go into a rock musical! Obviously now I know what’s going on, but at the beginning I had no idea what it was about!

Joe McElderry & Antony Costa to star in The Who's Tommy

Full casting has been announced for The Who's Tommy which runs at the Blackpool Opera House between 12th and 26th September 2015.

The production is directed by Paul Nicholas who starred alongside Elton John, Roger Daltrey and Tina Turner in the 1975 film version.  

The cast is led by  X Factor winner Joe McElderry as Tommy and Blue's Antony Costa as Cousin Kevin.

Ashely J Russell plays Mrs Walker alongside Will Barratt as Captain Walker, Tony Ballis as Uncle Ernie, Jon Addison as Lover, Melanie Bright as The Acid Queen, Benjamin Yates & Patrick George as Pinball Wizards and Sarah Kasey as Sally Simpson.

Review: Cats at the London Palladium starring Nicole Scherzinger

Antoine Murray-Straughan as the Rum Tum Tugger

Cats

London Palladium

Reviewed on Friday 12th December 2014

★★★★

The biggest marmite musical of all-time, Cats, has returned to the West End and completely taken over the London Palladium. Based on T.S Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical is set on a special night of the year when all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball.

Full casting confirmed for West End revival of Cats

Full casting has been announced for the West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium.

Nicole Scherzinger (pictured right) makes her West End debut as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical. The show opens on 11th December (previews from 6th December).

It has now been confirmed that Antoine Murray-Straughan and Benjamin Yates will star as Rum Tum Tugger and Mungojerrie.

They join the previously announced: Cameron Ball (Macavity/Admetus), Kathryn Barnes (Tantomile), Cassie Clare (Cassandra), Ross Finnie (Skimbleshanks), Charlene Ford (Bombalurina), Stevie Hutchinson (Pouncival), Adam Lake (Alonzo), Paul F Monaghan (Bustopher Jones/Asparagus/Growl Tiger), Joel Morris (Carbucketty), Natasha Mould (Jemima), Benjamin Mundy (Coricopat), Joseph Poulton (Quaxo/Mistoffelees), Nicholas Pound (Old Deuteronomy), Sophia Ragavelas (alternate Grizabella), Clare Rickard (Jellylorum/ Griddlebone), Adam Salter (Bill Bailey), Laurie Scarth (Jennyanydots), Hannah Kenna Thomas (Victoria/White Cat), Callum Train (Munkustrap), Zizi Strallen (Demeter) and Dawn Williams (Rumpleteazer).