2001 Entries
December 2001
Hope you are all well. Some of you may have heard, I''ve not been 100% of late, which has meant I've had to miss some shows.I just want to say a big thank you for all your messages of support and don't worry I am on the mend, although I've had this really nasty chest infection, which has just taken a while to throw off.
Well, things are all very exciting here at the world of Rent. I'm writing this in Blackpool, with just one week to go until we go into the West End. Everything is all very hectic what with press for town, sorting out places to live and last minute clean-up rehearsals. I'll be sure to keep Helen up to date with all the press I'm doing so you can keep an eye out for it all, although half the time I don't know myself until that day.
The tour itself has been fantastic and a real highlight of my career to date so it feels odd to know that in a weeks time we'll be residential in one city, but I suppose a West End show is the kind of thing you can tell your grandkids about.
Rent has been such an inspiration to me that I've actually helped take us there by raising some of the money and investing a lot myself. The sole reason for doing that is that it feels such a priviledge to be a part of something which can genuinely touch people for the better and change their lives. It's proven such an inspiration to not only us as the cast, but hopefully alot of people who've seen it as well, that from my point of view, the longer it runs the better.
I've also been moving stuff along with the other projects after Rent, which hopefully I'll be able to tell you more about next time I get to do an update. Although I definitely want a holiday before I do anything else.Talking of holidays,
IT'S CHRISTMAS SOON!!!!!
Excuse the outburst, but I get very excited as it is definitely my favourite time of year, and I can't wait to get out there and revel in the spirit of it all. For the first time in a while I'll get the chance to go home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so I'm getting really excited by it all, although slightly worried about how I'm gonna fit in the time to shop for such a big family.
Despite that though I can't wait and I hope you are all excited too. So, I'm sure I'll speak to you soon but until then, enjoy the festive spirit!
November 2001
Well we have the official confirmation. WE ARE GOING INTO THE WEST END! Yes it's true, the deal was signed just last week and we open at the Prince of Wales Theatre for an eight week run on December the 4th.
It's odd for me because I've loved taking this show around the provinces so much as its so different to every other touring show that people have been so enthusiastic and responsive, but at the same time it would be great to do the West End as it is the kind of thing you can tell your grandchildren about.
Also this production is so different to the previous London version that I really hope people will come and see it and hopefully enjoy it as much as those who got a chance to see it on tour.
One of the great things about going "residential" is the fact that I won't have to be living out of a suitcase for a while! What with Rent and the pop music, it doesn't feel like I've slept in the same bed for more than a week, for about 3 years!
Of course I have the tour to finish off first and as I write this we are in Wimbledon, the day after opening night, and I've got to say what a fantastic response. With the West End so close we weren't sure how much audience we would get, but last night was sold out and more than that, they seemed really up for it, so if you were there last night, thanks very much for your support, we as a cast loved it!
The film "Emergency Exit" premieres (to the industry) in Holland in about a weeks time, although it won't go national until early next year, but if you are there keep an eye out for it. I'm not sure when it'll be coming to the UK although I know talks are at a fairly advanced stage, so don't worry I will keep you posted as soon as I hear anything.
All the other projects are ticking over nicely too, (actually I've got to do a flying trip over to America in a couple of weeks) although since they're all still in pre-production there's not much more I can give away.
Well that's about it for now. Thanks for all your messages of support and if you get the chance come and see Rent on Tour. If you can't make that, then make sure you make it to see us in London over Christmas it's something I'm very proud to be a part of and I know you'll enjoy it. (hint: it's worth joining The Network mailing list if you haven't already, to get special ticket news).
October 2001
Well the tour is off and running well and truly now. I'm writing this in Milton Keynes in between shows and I've got to be honest I'm kind of blown away by the reception we've had here.
Not only have we had good houses and reviews but more than that, the kind words everyone has had to say have been really rewarding.
Loads of you have been e-mailing asking about when and where they can get to see Emergency Exit and the only honest answer I can give is - I haven't got a clue!! I speak regularly to the Producer but as yet there has been no confirmed release date for Holland, let alone the rest of the world. I've had a sneak peak at some of the scenes and they do look wicked , but don't worry you'll be the first to know.
Also lots of you ask about the possible run of Rent in the West End, which again I can't give you any confirmed word on, although there are some positive murmurs leaking through from the Producers, so fingers crossed we'll have some news for you soon.
Can I just take this chance to send my own heart felt condolences to those families affected by the atrocities in America. In this past few weeks many of you have seen your lives irrepairably changed and in this fearful and dark time, know that mine and countless other people's thoughts are with you.
Many of you have been asking how could it happen. I can only say that the ability of one person to hate another so intensely as to do this to an innocent, to me is inexplicable. Maybe there is no answer, but all we can do is hope that such action will never reoccur and that in the place of such hatred, compassion and acceptance might blossom.
September 2001
Hope you're all having a really good summer. It's been a very hectic time for me since I last spoke to you.
We finished the first leg of the tour in Llandudno on July 28th and then the very next day I flew out to Holland to start filming on "Idol/Emergency Exit", a film for Entermorfic Pictures and UIP.
It was great to get back in front of the camera, especially with such a talented crew and cast. The picture itself is going to be released nationally in Holland at all the cinemas (although I'm not sure what the plans are for the rest of the world yet) and it was kind of scary to be doing such a project having been on stage for so long.
In truth though that's what I love about acting, the chance to pursue these different mediums without having to concentrate solely on one or another.
I can't really give too much of the plot away (or the producers will kill me) although on the whole it focuses on the relationship between a teenage girl and her idol in the media (played by me) and the dangers that, that dependency can create.
Because I was filming for most of the break, I didn't really get a chance to have a holiday, as once that had finished, I was virtually straight back to Rent in Leicester.
With the sad departure of Rachel, an incredible person and a unique voice, we had a new cast member in Tracey, a really sweet girl, who's been thrown in at the deep end to join us as we kick off the second leg.
Actually I'm writing this on the Friday morning after we re-opened the show last night. I know it sounds bizarre but we were really nervous before the show, but once that first song started we were all drawn back into the world of Jonathan Larson, and as ever it was an amazing emotional roller-coaster for us all.
It was great to come back and get such a good reacton from the opening night audience, as it helped us to remember just how much this show can touch people. The producers were up for the show and although things are looking great, as yet there is no confirmation as to when or where the show will be moving to in London's West End, but as ever I will keep you informed on that and all the other feature film projects I have coming up (but which I'm still sworn to secrecy on, SORRY!!)
Anyway til' next time. I hope you have a great end to the summer, and if you get the chance, I hope you can pop along and see the show.
August 2001
Hi it's me and first off I want to say a huge thank you for all your messages of support on the Guestbook and via e-mail. I'm glad you're all liking the new website, yes it is a lot better than the old one, and I'm loving the fact that it gives me such a good chance to hear what you are all up to.
Well here's a bit of an update as to what I've been up to lately and the latest goss.
This week we've been performing in Bristol and I have to say the reception has been phenominal. We've been playing to full houses almost every night, but more than that the support they have been giving us has been great.
Unfortunately I had to go off halfway through opening night and then had to miss the next night as I had a viral infection which was making me really ill and I kept passing out! I know it sounds really dramatic but I was back the next night and have been fine since so it all seems fine now. More embarrassing than anything else!
We're off to Llandudno now, which hopefully will go down well and then we have a break for 3 weeks.
Or rather the company do, as I'm off to Holland to shoot a film for a company called Entermorfic Pictures. I'm really excited about it and hopefully you'll like it too. If you want to find out more info on it (release dates, where you can see it etc) then make sure you join the Network mailing list and we'll let you know as soon as the details are available.
Well that's it for now, but keep logging on as it's a great way for me to keep in contact with you and hear what you're up to.
July 2001
Welcome to the all new look official Website.
Those of you who regularly checked out the old one will know how not a lot ever really happened on it. Which was kind of my fault, as trying to run and update that, whilst doing the stuff to write about was just so frantic that I never really got a chance. SORRY!!!!
However an angel has entered the scene, in the form of Helen, who is now gonna help me run the site so you all get the service you deserve. With her help, you will get a regular insight into what's happening (She'll make sure of it don't worry) as well as loads of extra goodies.
Anyway, what an amazing 6 months it's been. Last time you probably heard from me I was about to start filming one of the movie projects I'm doing. Well that all got postponed by me because "Rent" came along and offered me the role of Mark.
Now although I didn't know anything about it at first, once I saw it I knew I had to be a part of something which is just so inspirational and so challenging as an actor.
Since then (January) we've been touring with the show and the response has been amazing. I feel so lucky to be a part of such an incredible cast, doing such an incredible show and getting the chance to perform each night doing something I love. (Feeling very lucky at the moment!)
On top of all that I'm also still continuing the film and TV projects I told you about. Unfortunately they are still in pre-production so there's not much I can tell you about them just yet. But be sure that Helen will be the first to let you know when I can.
That's about it for now, although I really hope you get a chance to come and see "Rent" as I think it is so moving. And if you can't - log on again soon to hear about those other projects or just pop in to say hi. The support you all give me is one of the biggest inspirations I could ask for!
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