BWW INTERVIEWS: Alexis Gerred, The New Bobby In DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS

Congratulations on your new role in Dreamboats - how was your first night?

Thank you very much. Playing to a full house on the first night was amazing. The show has a real feel good factor and although as a cast we have only been together for a couple of weeks, we all share a common goal which is to put on a really energetic and upbeat show. I received loads of lovely cards, good luck messages and even flowers on the opening night and I honestly couldn’t wait to get on to the stage. A lot of the time I have to portray that I am having fun and enjoying the moment - in reality, I am! By the end of the show the audience were on their feet and dancing in the aisles. The compliments I received after the show from some of the audience at the stage door was a fantastic end to what I can only describe as the best night of my life.

How did you come to get the role - was it standard audition process?

I have been seen by Bill Kenwright and his team previously for this show. The process was very standard in that having auditioned I was called back and eventually got to perform for the great man himself.

Had you seen the show before?

I had actually seen the show a couple of times as I love live music. There is a great variety of classic songs within this show that takes the audience either back to their youth or introduces them to a golden age of music.

Did you know much about the music from that era?

It’s strange, because I should answer "no" as there isn’t any real reason why I would, as it’s even earlier than my parents' era and as such not really music that they would have played as I was growing up. However, I was amazed at how many of the songs I actually knew or had heard before, and now I have a great respect for that era of music and feel privileged to sing such anthems.

It's rather different from your last London acting gig in Dirty White Boy...

Yeah, Dirty White Boy was quite gritty as it gave the audience true insight into the real lives of people living, working or visiting Soho. Although I sang a lot throughout the play, it was never meant to be a musical. As well as playing a few different characters, my main role was to portray the emotion and spirit of the moment through song. It was a great and valuable experience and one I will never forget. I have enjoyed the great variety of opportunities presented to me in 2010 and love the challenge of starting something completely diverse to the previous role.

I hear you've got your sights set on working in film at some point soon - is that where you see your future?

I love singing and acting and that’s why I feel so privileged to be in such an iconic show such as Dreamboats and Petticoats. However, the two are not permanently tied and I am very fortunate to be working with Beverley Skeete who is a very respected and talented singer-songwriter. We are currently writing and recording some new material which is sounding great. I have also auditioned for some film and television work here in the UK and across the pond so…who knows? I have always been a performer and as long as I’m in front of an audience, giving my best, I’m a happy man!

Are there any roles you'd really like to play?

I’m really happy being Bobby in Dreamboats, it’s such an incredible role, but it would be a dream to play Galileo in We Will Rock You. From birth I have been bought up on the music of the iconic rock band Queen and I know that there is no better opportunity than to sing songs created by my inspirations every night of the week! I hear that Queen and Ben Elton have written a sequel so I guess I will have to continue working hard in the hope that my dreams can continue to come true.

Alexis Gerred plays Bobby in Dreamboats and Petticoats at The Playhouse Theatre

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