300th Interview: Matt Corner, starring as Frankie Valli in the UK tour of Jersey Boys

Matt Corner is currently starring as Frankie Valli in the UK and Ireland tour of Jersey Boys.

Telling the true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks, Jersey Boys has been seen by nearly 23 million people worldwide. The show continues to run in the West End where it is celebrating its eighth triumphant year.

Matt was part of the original Jersey Boys UK tour cast as alternate Frankie. After playing the role twice a week for a year, he was asked to take over full time which he has done to great acclaim.

Prior to Jersey Boys, Matt understudied Galileo in the final West End cast of We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre. His credits also include: understudy Mike Connor in High Society (national tour), Hero in A Day at the Races/A Night at the Opera (Ireland) and Jim Caruso’s Cast Party (Birdland Jazz Club, New York). On screen he appeared in Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of Les Miserables and played Jimmy in You’re A Musical Star.

I recently spoke to Matt about why he felt ready to take over as Frankie, how playing the role affects his day-to-day life and the secret of Jersey Boys' success. We also discussed what it was like to close We Will Rock You, why he was inspired by Ricardo Afonso when he was younger and what it was like to meet Frankie Valli earlier this year… 

Was Frankie ever on your ‘dream roles’ list?

It wasn’t actually a role I had a crazy ambition to play from an early age! I had seen the show and was a huge fan; however, to be honest, after watching Ryan Molloy play Frankie I didn’t ever think for one minute that I would be able to do it… at all [laughs]. I didn’t really know that falsetto sound was in my armoury – I had always been a rock tenor. I rang my mum after my first audition and said “It went well but there’s no chance I’ll get it!” The previous year I had auditioned for the London company and - believe it or not - was seen for Tommy DeVito, so they had no idea I could do it either! A year later I went in and they said, “Actually, let’s see you for Frankie this time. What’s your falsetto like?” and I just gave it a go. It was a crazy situation!

Review: Jersey Boys (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Jersey Boys (UK Tour)
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 23rd September 2015
★★★★

In the West End Jersey Boys is known as being the slickest show in town, and the UK touring production - which recently welcomed new cast members - is no different. Almost an identical replica of its West End counterpart, the Jersey Boys tour truly brings West End standards to regional audience's doorsteps. 

Frankie Valli meets West End & touring casts of Jersey Boys

Frankie Valli took time out from his sold-out concert tour this week to meet the casts of both UK productions of Jersey Boys. Check out images below (click picture to enlarge).

Valli joined the UK and Ireland tour cast in Manchester as they performed an excerpt from the show on BBC Breakfast, and visited the London show at the Piccadilly Theatre before going onstage to meet the cast and crew.

Jersey Boys tells the remarkable true story of Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. These four boys from New Jersey became one of the most successful bands in pop history, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 100 million records worldwide, all before they turned 30.

Big Interview: Tim Driesen

Tim Driesen is currently starring as Frankie Valli in the first UK Tour of Jersey Boys, having previously played the role in the original Dutch production and for a short stint in the West End production. 

Jersey Boys has been seen by over 19 million people worldwide and is firmly established as one of the West End's longest running and most popular shows. It tells the true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks.

In 2013 Tim was nominated for West End Frame’s Understudy of the Year Award for alternating the role of Drew in Rock Of Ages (Garrick). His West End credits also include: Adrian Banks/Mark Owen in Never Forget (Savoy/UK Tour), Mark in Rent In Concert (Garrick), Bat Boy The Musical (Shaftesbury) and Mamma Mia (Prince Edward).

Tim’s theatre credits also include: Young Ken Barlow in Coronation Street Of Dreams (MEN Arena), Galileo in We Will Rock You (Antwerp), Phoebus and Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris (Antwerp/Asian Tour), Starlight Express (UK Tour), The Rocky Horror Show (European Tour), Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour) and David Cassidy/Donny Osmond in Thank You For The Music (UK Tour).

As a passionate writer, Tim recently produced and released his debut album In My Corner. The album includes four songs written by Tim as well as three covers including Uptown Girl (Billy Joel), You Keep Me Hangin' On (The Supremes) and a medley of two Frankie Valli songs (My Eyes Adored You/Fallen Angel) from Jersey Boys.

I recently caught up with Tim to discuss his whirlwind year, how he looks after himself whilst playing Frankie and how he relates to the role, as well as why he’s proud of his debut album and which three songs he would take with him to a desert island…

Last time we spoke you were in Rock Of Ages about to go off to Holland to play Frankie for the first time. A lot has happened since then! Have you had a chance to take it all in?

Oh god yes, in our business you spend your life auditioning and when you get a job there is a period of time where you just have to enjoy it – when you just get a job you can’t start worrying about what is next. So when I went off to Holland to play Frankie for the first time I was like, ‘My life is pretty good right now’ but then the time came around to start auditioning again and I started panicking thinking, ‘Oh my god what am I going to do after Jersey Boys finishes in Holland?!’ But then they offered me the UK Tour which was amazing. It’s so important to enjoy it when something like this comes along! Anyone who has played Frankie will probably tell you that it is the best job for a male in musical theatre – it’s basically the male Elphaba!

Review: Jersey Boys (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Jersey Boys (UK Tour) 

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 4th February 2015

★★★★

Whilst continuing to dazzle audiences in the West End and on Broadway, Jersey Boys is currently touring the UK for the first time. Known as one of the slickest West End musicals, the standard is equally as high in this touring production which is almost identical to its London counterpart.

Jersey Boys UK & Ireland Tour announces new dates

Producers of Jersey Boys have announced that the musical's current UK and Ireland Tour has been extended.

Newly announced 2015 dates include: The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (28 April – 9 May), Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff (21 July – 1 August), Sunderland Empire (8 – 19 September), Lyceum Theatre Sheffield (6 – 17 October), Venue Cymru Llandudno (10 – 21 November) and Theatre Royal Glasgow (8 December – 3 January 2016). 

The UK and Ireland Tour of Jersey Boys stars Tim Driesen as Frankie Valli, Stephen Webb as Tommy DeVito, Sam Ferriday as Bob Gaudio and Lewis Griffiths as Nick Massi. Matt Corner plays the role of Frankie Valli at certain performances. 

Interview: Lewis Griffiths

Lewis Griffiths is currently starring as Nick Massi in the UK Tour of Jersey Boys. Although the show has been running for over six years in the West End, this is the first time Jersey Boys has ever toured the UK.

The musical has been seen by over 19 million people worldwide and is firmly established as one of the West End's longest running and most popular shows. It tells the true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks.

Lewis’s West End credits include: understudy Frank in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Estonia/Russia/Sweden in Eurobeat - Almost Eurovision (also UK Tour), understudy Benny in RENT: Remixed, understudy Nick & Schlomo in FAME and Whistle Down The Wind.

His other credits include: Kyle The UPS Guy/understudy Warner in Legally Blonde (UK Tour), understudy Carl in Ghost The Musical (UK Tour), Don't Stop Believin' (UK Tour), Keno "Buddy" Walsh in The Full Monty (Key Theatre, Peterborough) and Carminé in Love Shack (UK Tour).

I recently spoke to Lewis about being a fan of the Four Seasons, wanting to be in Jersey Boys since he first saw it and taking on the role of Nick Massi…

Jersey Boys has been staged all around the world but has never toured the UK before. How does it feel to be in a brand new production of such a successful show?

It’s an honour to be a part of this family – and it is a family. Jersey Boys is a product within itself because everyone around the world knows it and in the theatreworld it is one of those standalone shows. The UK Tour is pretty much like the sister production to the West End production because we have exactly the same production values as the West End and Broadway productions. Coming into it feels like joining an existing family. 

Photo Feature: Cast & VIP guests celebrate Jersey Boys UK Tour press night

Last night the Jersey Boys UK Tour celebrated its press night at the Manchester Palace Theatre. Check out pictures of the cast and VIP guests below (click image to enlarge). As Tim Driesen was too unwell to perform, his alternate Matt Corner led the cast as Frankie Valli.

The production also stars Stephen Webb, Sam Ferriday and Lewis Griffiths as Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi. The cast also includes: Sean Kingsley as Gyp DeCarlo, Matt Gillett as Bob Crewe, Nathaniel Morrison as Barry Belson, Dominic Smith as Norm Waxman, Damian Buhagiar as Joey Pesci, Henry Davis as Hank Majewski, Leanne Garretty as Lorraine, Amelia Adams-Pearce as Mary Delgado and Sinead Long as Francine. Dan Krikler, Dayle Hodge, Luke Morton and Charlie Allen complete the company.

Full casting announced for Jersey Boys UK Tour

Full casting has been announced for the Jersey Boys UK Tour.

Joining the previously announced Tim Driesen as Frankie Valli is: Stephen Webb, Sam Ferriday and Lewis Griffiths as Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi. Matt Corner will play the role of Frankie Valli at certain performances.

 Stephen Webb, Sam Ferriday & Lewis Griffiths

The cast also includes Sean Kingsley as Gyp DeCarlo, Matt Gillett as Bob Crewe, Nathaniel Morrison as Barry Belson, Dominic Smith as Norm Waxman, Damian Buhagiar as Joey Pesci, Henry Davis as Hank Majewski, Leanne Garretty as Lorraine, Amelia Adams-Pearce as Mary Delgado and Sinead Long as Francine. Dan Krikler, Dayle Hodge, Luke Morton and Charlie Allen complete the cast.

Tim Driesen to star as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys UK Tour; further tour dates announced

West End star Tim Driesen (pictured right) has been cast as Frankie Valli in the UK Tour of Jersey Boys. 

Driesen is currently playing the role in the Dutch production of Jersey Boys, and previously played Frankie Valli for a short season at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End. Click here to read West End Frame's review of his performance. 

Speaking to West End Frame about playing the role during an interview last year, Tim said: "Ever since I saw the show and heard the cast album I have wanted to play Frankie. It is such a great musical to be part of!" Click here to read the full interview.

Tim recently appeared in the West End playing Joey Primo, alternating Drew and understudying Stacee Jaxx in Rock Of Ages at the Garrick Theatre. 

Jersey Boys to hold open auditions to find actors to play / understudy Frankie Valli in UK Tour

The producers of Jersey Boys have announced they are holding open auditions for actors to play/understudy the role of Frankie Valli.

Jersey Boys will tour the UK for the first time from September 2014 while continuing its open-ended West End run at the Piccadilly Theatre. Jersey Boys has now been seen by over 19 million people worldwide and is firmly established as one of the West End's longest running and most popular shows. 

Jersey Boys announces first UK Tour

Jersey Boys will tour the UK for the first time from September 2014. The musical will continue to run at its new West End home, the Piccadilly Theatre, from March 2014.

Jersey Boys has now been seen by over 19 million people worldwide and is firmly established as one of the West End's longest running and most popular shows. Now theatres in cities all over the UK will be host to the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. Full tour dates below.