DMT Editorial 2017_04_JUN_JUL_Proof15

BRINGING HIM HOME
Having conquered the West End and Broadway playing Charlie Price in Kinky Boots,
Killian Donnelly has come full circle, currently starring as Jean Valjean in the legendary West
End production of Les Misérables – the musical in which he has played four different roles
Appearing in Les Misérables changed my life. Growing up on am-dram
in Ireland, someone would always get up and sing ‘On My Own’ or
‘Stars’ at the after-show parties, so I became very familiar with the
musical’s powerhouse ballads. When I moved to London my agent said
he’d take me on if I got a recall for Les Mis so the next thing I know
I’m standing in front of [Casting Director] Trevor Jackson and
[Musical Supervisor] Stephen Brooker, squawking my way through
‘Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir’ from Sweeney Todd. They obviously saw
potential in me and three or four auditions later I was told, ‘We’d like
to offer you Swing’. I was like, ‘Oh my God, what character is Swing?
Is he one of the students?’
It was – and still is – the best job
I’ve ever had. I quickly realised
that a Swing stands in for a
variety of roles and, as a result, I
was playing a different character
every night. I lost so much
weight – people would remark,
‘Oh, you’re on the Les Mis diet!’
My voice became stronger and
by the second year I was being
considered for the role of
Grantaire, but I pleaded to be
kept on as a swing. I was given
cover roles for Enjolras, Valjean
and Javert – I remember being
on stage as Valjean one night
and two days later doing a
Playing Enjolras in Les Misérables, 2010 matinee as Javert! – then I
eventually took on the role of
Enjolras. I was with the show
for three years and worked with four Valjeans – Drew Sarich, David
Shannon, Simon Bowman and Alfie Boe. It was a brilliant learning
curve, watching the different interpretations of the role.
I always knew that returning to the show would be like coming home.
So when my agent said I was being considered for Jean Valjean, I was
delighted. When I covered Valjean I was in my early twenties and still had
that little baby voice. Now my voice has dropped a lot more so I’m looking
forward to using muscles I haven’t used for a while. I’ve been singing
Cyndi Lauper pop in Kinky Boots for the last 18 months so have had to
avoid vibrato – which Les Mis taught me and is definitely my comfort zone.
I think I’m going to be the youngest actor to play Valjean in London but I’d
rather do it now when I’m fit than when I’m in my mid-40s, thinking ‘My
back’s gone – there’s no way I’m climbing up that barricade!’
I was lucky enough to play Combeferre in the film version of Les Mis.
There were all these big names on set, but it was like a badge of honour
to have been in Les Mis on stage. Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway
were coming up to people saying, ‘You were in the show weren’t you?
How would you play this scene?’ It was a very proud feeling to be part of
that ‘in’ crowd. Hugh Jackman was so enthusiastic and incredibly
respectful of Colm Wilkinson, who played the
Bishop but of course originated the role of Jean
Valjean on stage back in 1985.
Cameron Mackintosh is like a happy uncle!
He creates a real family feeling on his
productions and keeps tabs on actors even after
they’ve moved on. I auditioned for him when
I was up for Enjolras. I was also lucky enough
to work on the 25 th anniversary concerts for
Les Mis and The Phantom of the Opera at the
Royal Albert Hall, which Cameron directed and
produced. He loves seeing actors progress, and
when I was in Kinky Boots in London and had
found out that I would be transferring to
Broadway, Trevor Jackson came to see the show
and told me ‘Cameron is so proud of you – if you
need anything over there, just let us know.’