An interview with entertainer John Barrowman ahead of his Brid Spa show
John Barrowman is bringing his My Life In Musicals to Bridlington Spa.
The show is billed as ‘a dazzling concert evening’ celebrating the greatest West End and Broadway musicals and the extraordinary career that has made him one of musical theatre’s most beloved performers.
Earlier this year, a number of spring performances were postponed following the passing of John’s mother, Marion, known to fans as ‘Mama Barrowman”.
Following an outpouring of love and support from audiences across the country, the postponed dates have now been successfully rescheduled and incorporated into the autumn tour.
John said: “From descending the staircase in Sunset Boulevard to sailing high in Anything Goes, from the passion and heartbreak of Miss Saigon to the razor-sharp brilliance of Company and the razzle-dazzle of Chicago, my life has been one glorious, glitter-dusted adventure.
“This tour is my love letter to every stage, every song, and every one of you who’ve cheered, cried, laughed and believed right along with me. The spotlight may shine on me, but the magic – that’s always been ours. I can’t wait to bring you My Life In Musicals.”
Ahead of his show at the Spa on Thursday, October 22, John took time out for a special interview.
Q: What’s your first memory of performing?
A: My first memory of performing, off the top of my head, would be singing Milly Molly Mandy in my mum and dads living room to guests at a party using a measuring cup thing as a microphone, and I was in my kilt. I used to come down and that was my party piece.
Q: John Barrowman, have you ever stolen any props from any sets?
A: How very dare you! I have never stolen any props from set, but I may have borrowed them and never returned them. I will say that some things from Doctor Who fell into my bag and they just happened to be on my shelf in Palm Springs. Vortex manipulator, actually that was made, and Squareness gun, other things that shall remain nameless because I have somebody who knew someone in the props department standing right over there. I don’t wanna say what I took!
Q: You’ve played 21 leading male parts in the West End and Broadway in 10 years. What is the one leading part you would love to play?
A: I’ve already played it and I’d like to play it again. I’d like to do it on a tour of the UK, and I’d like to tour other places. I would like to play Zaza once again in La Cage Aux Folles because I love the story, I love what it stands for, It’s about family. It’s about families that are not deemed to be as the “norm” because what is the norm right?
Your norm, your family is the norm in your world and I love that. I love what it tells and also I loved getting up in drag and playing that character so I’d love to do it again.
Q: John Barrowman if you could ask your 80 year old self one question what would you ask?
A: Did you have fun? And I hope the answer would be yes.
Q: John Barrowman what will audiences take away from the show?
A: I hope the audience takes away a lot more than what they came in with. I hope they take a little piece of John Barrowman home with them. They have great memories, they’ve laughed so hard that their stomachs hurt a little bit, and also that they feel joy when they walk out the door.
Q: When you travel, what is one item you always take with you?
A: My original Star Wars pillowcase that I have had since childhood, I won’t leave home without it.
Go to www.bridspa.com or call the Box Office on 01262 678258 to buy tickets for the Spa show.