This was a lovely interview. I listened live, expecting it would only last 10 minutes or so - instead, we had a glorious half hour, including plays of Close Every Door and All Of Me.
I have never seen Whistle Down the Wind - if Lee had done it, that would have swiftly changed!
I've seen half of WDTW because of a very slow bus in very heavy traffic - that was way back in 1999! I love the music and found the story gripping - at least what I saw of it. Lee would be really good as The Man.
I have the soundtrack album, which is pretty good, but I haven't actually seen the show. I have seen the film (a number of times) and my one disappointment re: WDTW was that ALW decided (in his infinite wisdom :face_with_rolling_eyes: ) to relocate the story to the US. That being said, if Lee was cast as 'The Man' in the musical...*THUD*
It would have worked just as well in the UK, wouldn't it? The only thing I can think of is that they had a scene with a preacher and his colleagues, for want of a better word, doing a travelling show where they preached the gospel and sang hymns, which is where "Vaults of Heaven" came in. I think I can say this now as it's not likely to be a spoiler - live snakes were used in this scene, which wouldn't have personally bothered me but I can imagine would have upset a lot of people.
Blimey, that could have been dangerous! I hope they weren't venomous (or if they were, they'd been safely de-venomed before making their West End debut)!
I tbink the snakes were harmless grass snakes but that little word harmless means nothing when we have an aversion to creatures, doesn't it? I'm lucky enough not to be bothered by snakes. There was a warning in the foyer but that wasn't much help to people who had travelled miles to see the show and could't unbook.
Likes having variety in his career (singing and acting).
He sings on set!
Chatting about 'Chitty', which he loved doing.
Chat about choosing songs for the album/tour.
"Do you like rehearsals?" Good question! Lee says "Yes!"
Lee and Betsy sing together in the car. She loves Justin Bieber, but he's trying to introduce her to 'real music'!:laughing:
Prince Philip story.:laughing:
Mention of singing 'From Russia With Love'. Lee met Cubby Broccoli's (James Bond producer) daughter and considered asking about auditioning for the role of JB. Ahh, Lee as Bond!:heart_eyes:
Brief mention of Stages Festival.
Panto in Aberdeen. Apparently, Aberdeen is closer to Iceland than London! Blimey!:laughing:
Just listening to Lee's interview on Encore Radio.
Talk about ADWD. It was quite surreal going from being fairly anonymous to constantly being approached on the streets.
He tries not to think of how many people are in the audience (or how many TV viewers there are watching him in 'Holby') because thinking about it can freak you out.
He struggles with large crowds, but is OK performing to them.
Play of 'Let Her Down Easy', which is stunning!
Difficulty in choosing the songs for his 10th Anniversary album!
How does it feel to be revisiting these songs? Interesting question. Lee also mentions that he loves singing.
Lee doesn't like large crowds and is quite shy, but was bitten by the singing/acting bug at school when he was cast as Danny Zuko in the school production of 'Grease' - and said to the drama teachers "Have you heard me sing?":laughing: Obviously Lee wasn't aware of his talent at that point! Also says the secret to performing is doing your best but not taking it too seriously.
A play of Dick Van ****'s version of 'Hushabye Mountain'. Lovely version, but I wonder why not Lee's?
Lee wanted to have a long term career. The last 10 years have gone back so quick.
Chat about panto.
Holby chat. Long days of filming.
Talk about auditioning for the role of Marius in 'Les Mis' when he was a teenager, then auditioning again a few years later and getting to the final two (he lost out to Jon Lee of S Club 7)!
Mentioning upcoming tour dates.
Lee has his eye on the role of PT Barnum in 'The Greatest Showman'! Oooh, yes!:grin: (and Lee has just let slip that he sang 'From Now On' from TGS on the Jane McDonald Show!).
A mention of Lee as Fiyero in 'Wicked' (and a play of ALAYM).
Nice interview, with some interesting questions from the interview. Lovely that Lee seemed so relaxed and chatty.
The thing I found 'annoying' about this interview was, the interviewer asked Lee to chose songs from his Album and when he said 'Hush-a-Bye Mountain' and 'Bring Him Home' the radio station pla*** them but sung by other people (Dick Van D for HABM and John Owen Jones (I think) for BHM)! I didn't get this - why didn't they play Lee's version (Lee's are much better in my opinion anyway :wink:) and they didn't even mention it wasn't Lee singing. Seems rude to me to do that when you interview someone. We, as his fans knew it wasn't Lee singing, but I doubt others would. The only one they pla*** from Lee's Album was 'Let Her Down Easy'.
I loved listening to Lee in the interview, however I wasn't too keen on the the guy that interviewed Lee, especially
when he pla*** 2 of the songs which he asked Lee to choose from his album but instead they were sung by Dick Van ****
and JOJ. At least they pla*** Lee's version from his album of "Let her down Easy" and Lee and Rachel singing "As long as
you're Mine, which were beautiful of course.
Apparently, Lee's mum is a regular listener of BBC Radio Essex!
A play of 'Everything' from the album.
Lee's mum is listening.
10th Anniversary Tour chat.
Southend gig is at the Palace theatre (he nearly said the Cliffs:laughing: )
Favourite moments in the shows he's been in - getting to play Potts in 'Chitty'/flying the car for the first time.
'Hushabye Mountain' is about Potts moving on with his life. Lee wanted to bring layers to the role.
Another song from the album 'Blackbird':heart_eyes:
Talk about 'Blackbird' - Lee heard the song for the first time in the film 'Boss Baby'.
Talk about how becoming a parent changed his life. Given him a different outlook.
Panto. Apparently Aberdeen is closer to Iceland than London! Blimey!
Talk about Lofty (Casualty/Holby). Enjoying the way that Lofty has developed in Holby. Two to two and a half weeks to film an ep (but not necessarily consecutively). Can be long hours, but can also be short hours, depending on the schedule.
Lee didn't think he'd be still be getting the big jobs 10 years on - he hoped he'd still be a jobbing actor.
Lee did his first show at the Palace Theatre Southend - as a backing singer in a Ratpack thing called 'My Pal Frank'. Aww, Lee was told off for playing music in his dressing-room, and vowed that one day, when he'd 'made it', he'd have the Number One dressing-room and play his music as loud as he wanted!:laughing: