Michael Colbourne is currently starring as Enjolras in the West End production of Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre. Having recently graduated from the Guildford School of Acting, Les Mis marks Michael’s West End debut.
His theatre credits include playing Young Buddy in Follies (Yvonne Arnaud) and Axel in The Other School (National Youth Music Theatre) as well as appearing in Cinders: Boom or Bust (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and Tell Me On A Sunday (St James) as a supporting singer. He has also performed in workshops for Water Babies and The Devil’s Advocate.
On Sunday (24th August) Michael will star alongside Louise Dearman and his Les Mis co-star Rob Houchen in Hamlisch at the St James Theatre for two performances only. The show will celebrate the work of composer Marvin Hamlisch, featuring songs from his musicals including ‘A Chorus Line’, ‘Sweet Smell Of Success’, ‘They’re Playing Our Song’, ‘The Nutty Professor’ and ‘Smile’, as well as music written especially for Barbra Streisand.
I recently spoke to Michael about what it has been like to join one of the West End’s biggest musicals, how he felt when he found out he had been cast as Enjolras and what makes Marvin Hamlisch’s music so beautifully unique…
What attracted you to this Marvin Hamlisch concert?
Mainly the fact Marvin Hamlisch’s music is very rarely performed. The uniqueness of his music and the style of his music is something us English people are not used to – it’s not something we usually see in the West End so it’s always nice to do something different and something outside your comfort zone. Also Alex (Parker, producer/musical director) is a very close friend of mine and for many years I’ve always done projects that he’s worked on… so of course I was going to say yes when he asked me [laughs]!
