Big Interview: Oliver Savile & Daniel Hope, starring as Fiyero & Boq in Wicked

Oliver Savile

Oliver Savile recently joined the West End production of Wicked as Fiyero, whilst Daniel Hope took over as Boq after understudying the role for a year.

Telling the untold story of the Witches of Oz, Wicked is currently the 9th longest-running show in the West End. The musical recently entered its tenth year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre where the cast is led by Emma Hatton as Elphaba and Savannah Stevenson as Glinda.

Olivier recently left the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera where he understudied the role of Raoul for a year at Her Majesty’s Theatre. 

His credits also include: Rum Tum Tugger in Cats (UK tour), Fueilly and understudy Enjolras in Les Misérables (Queen's), Peter Tork in Monkee Business (UK tour), understudy Sky in Mamma Mia! (International tour), Prince Charming in Sleeping Beauty (Theatre Royal Wakefield) and Simeon/understudy Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour).

Daniel recently created the role of White Rabbit in Alice: A New Musical at the St James Studio. His theatre credits also include: understudy Alan & Rory in Bare: A Pop Opera (Greenwich Theatre), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Birmingham Hippodrome) and Peter in Peter Pan (Rotherham Civic).

I recently sat down with Oliver and Daniel backstage at the Apollo Victoria Theatre to discuss their new roles in Wicked, why they both always wanted to be a part of the musical and what it’s like to receive such an incredible response from audiences…

Daniel Hope

You’ve both had a crazy couple of months, have you had the chance to take it all in?

Oliver Savile: It has been mad!

Daniel Hope: I was very lucky to have been in the ensemble last year. The rehearsal process was really good because it gave me the time to make it my own and go back to basics so I could find new things. When you do cover rehearsals you don’t get as much time to invest in the character as when you’re playing the role full time. It was nice to go through that process.

OS: And you were doubling up for four weeks!

DH: Yes, I was rehearsing during the day and still doing the show at night. It was tiring but I like being busy!

OS: I came straight from Phantom and doubled up for a week. It was mental to do this during the day and then go back to Phantom as night! The rehearsal process was amazing and everybody has been great – we’ve had a lot of fun.

OS: We have a nice team, there’s a really great vibe at the moment.

Review: Emma Hatton, Savannah Stevenson & Oliver Savile star in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 22nd October 2015
★★★★★

As the West End production of Wicked enters its tenth year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, several new cast members have joined Emma Hatton and Savannah Stevenson who lead the cast as Elphaba and Glinda. Set in the mystical world of Oz, Wicked continues to cast audiences under its spell. 

Sweet Oz! Sneak peek at Wicked's new West End cast

Sweet Oz! Wicked have released the first images of its swankified new cast who join the show next Monday (21st September). Oliver Savile takes over as Fiyero, joining Emma Hatton and Savannah Stevenson who continue as Elphaba and Glinda. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

From next week the full cast will also include: Tom McGowan (The Wizard) Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Sean Kearns (Doctor Dillamond), Daniel Hope (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba) and Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda).

Wicked announces new West End cast!

Wicked has announced its new West End cast. The show's current stars Emma Hatton and Savannah Stevenson have both extended their contacts and will continue playing Elphaba and Glinda into 2016.

Joining them from Monday 21st September 2015 will be: West End Frame Understudy of the Year nominee Oliver Savile (current understudy Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera) as Fiyero and Sean Kearns (The Commitments/The 39 Steps) as Doctor Dillamond.

Current ensemble member Daniel Hope is taking over as Boq full-time whilst Carina Gillespie, who plays Nessarose and understudies Glinda in Wicked's UK tour, is joining the London cast as Standby Glinda.

Rebecca Trehearn, Jodie Jacobs & Oliver Savile to perform at Scott Morgan concert

It has been announced that Rebecca Trehearn (Ghost), Jodie Jacobs (Rock of Ages), Oliver Savile (Les Miserables, pictured right), Cameron Sharp (Rock of Ages), Suzie Lowe (Fame) and newcomer Sophie Ramsey will perform at 'New Music: The Songs of Scott Morgan'.

The concert takes place on Sunday 20th April 2014 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm at the Headgate Theatre in Colchester, Essex. Morgan, who is musical directing and hosting the event, will showcase his music, including cabaret songs, new material and musical numbers from Geek! which ran at the Tristan Bates Theatre last year.