Interview: Rolan Bell

Rolan Bell is currently starring as King Gerard in Rapunzel at the Park Theatre.

Marking the Park Theatre’s third Christmas show, Rapunzel has book, music and lyrics by Jez Bond and Mark Cameron. The show runs until 2nd January 2016. 

Rolan was recently nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical at the 2015 Olivier Awards for his performance as Delray in Memphis The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre. He previously played Brit in the world arena tour of We Will Rock You before joining the London production as part of the final West End cast at the Dominion Theatre.

His theatre credits include: Coalhouse Walker in Ragtime & Flute in A Midsummer Night's Dream (both Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), title role in Fela (National Theatre), Jessie Owens in 1936 (Arcola Theatre), Ivan in The Harder They Come (Barbican/Playhouse/Theatre Royal Stratford East), Mr Haywood in An African Cargo (Greenwich Theatre), Morrell/Huskly Miller in Carmen Jones (Royal Festival Hall), Scar in The Lion King (Paris) and Wayne/Sergeant in The Canterbury Ghost (Southwark Playhouse).

On screen Rolan played Theo in 22 episodes of EastEnders and has also made appearances in Doctors and WPC 56. I recently spoke to Rolan about what drew him to Rapunzel, his whirlwind year in Memphis and what it was like to be part of We Will Rock You’s final West End cast…

Panto at the Park Theatre is always crazy! The show is completely different to what you’ve been up to recently, what drew you to the project?

After my first audition… actually after reading the script for the first time and looking at the role of King Gerard the lines just flew off the page. My imagination got going straight away and as soon as I starting reading the script I fell in love with the role, it felt so natural. When I met the guys in my audition it was so fun and laid back – it almost felt like we were enjoying ourselves as children. I knew that I would have a good time doing this, so how could I pass up an opportunity like that? It has been a lot of fun! It’s nice to work with people who are engaging their inner child to create something which entertains children.

Panto Review: Rapunzel at the Park Theatre

Rapunzel
Park Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 11th December 2015
★★

Once again the award for most bizarre panto of the year goes to the Park Theatre for their production of Rapunzel. I do respect Jez Bond and Mark Cameron for tearing up more and more of the panto rule book each year, but must also admit that for two hours I wondered if I had eaten one mince pie too many and fallen into some sort of weird panto nightmare.

Full casting announced for Memphis

It has been announced Rolan Bell (Delray), Tyrone Huntley (Gator), Claire Machin (Gladys), Jason Pennycooke (Bobby) and Mark Roper (Mr Simmons) will star in the West End premiere of Memphis.

The join the previously announced Beverley Knight (Felicia Farrell) and Killian Donnelly (Huey Calhoun).

Memphis, winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, has Grammy® Award-winning original score by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro.

The cast also includes: Keisha Atwell, Arielle Campbell, Mark Carroll, Joseph Davenport, Momar Diagne, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Kimmy Edwards, Hillary Elk, Laura Ellis, Charlotte Gorton, Benjamin Harrold, Waylon Jacobs, Rachel John, Dean Maynard, Devon McKenzie-Smith, Tim Newman, Simon Ray-Harvey, Jon Robyns, Ashley Rumble, Kyle Seeley, Helen Siveter, Dawnita Smith and Alex Thomas.

Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, Memphis follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break.