DMT Editorial 2017_04_JUN_JUL_Proof15

Interview: Bev Hislop. Photography: Matt Crockett, Johan Persson
*Calls to Delfont Mackintosh Theatres 0844 numbers cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge
As Combeferre in Les Misérables (film), 2012
As Combeferre in Les Misérables (film), 2012
My most asked question is ‘How did you walk in those kinky boots?’
All I can say is ‘practice!’ We started off in four-inch wide peg heels and
worked up to six-inch bullet heels. Your feet get used to it but my lower
back was in agony – my hips would be thrust forward and my back was
so weak that during the previews in London it just went completely and I
had to limp off stage! I have such a new found respect for women and
men who wear high heels.
Memphis was a show that took me by surprise. My character, Huey
Calhoun, was very like me – a bit of a dope but a charming dope. It was a
fantastic show and the whole cast was really close. It felt like a privilege to
be telling that story. And then when I was nominated for an Olivier Award –
that was something else. But my most enduring memory is of singing
‘Memphis Lives in Me’ for the last time, because
I knew I was leaving to do Kinky Boots. I was
Kinky Boots, 2015
meant to be the one crying and I looked around
and noticed that everyone else on stage was
crying too. I was the first to leave the family.
Embarrassing moments on stage? How long
have you got…? When I was playing Raoul
in The Phantom of the Opera, there was a
scene where I had to storm on and ask
Carlotta, Piangi and the managers where
Christine was as we’d all had letters. But on
this particular night I didn’t realise that I had
two feet of toilet paper stuck to my shoe.
There was me trying to look aristocratic while
the audience were in stitches. Basically it
looked like Raoul had been on the toilet
when he received his letter!
LES MISÉRABLES
Les Misérables is at Queen’s Theatre. For information and to
book tickets call 0844 482 5160* or visit delfontmackintosh.co.uk
lesmis.com/uk lesmisofficial @lesmisofficial