Gavin Creel was Edward Seckerson’s guest in the Singular Sensations series at the Charing Cross Theatre, London
Gavin Creel talked to Edward Seckerson as part of the Singular Sensations season at the Charing Cross Theatre, London.
The latest in the intriguing and somewhat laid-back Singular Sensations series at the Charing Cross Theatre saw The Book of Mormon star, Gavin Creel, in fine anecdotal fettle and voice.
Expertly cajoled into revealing personal and professional confidences by a clearly adoring Edward Seckerson, the former presenter of BBC Radio 3’s musical theatre show Stage and Screen, getting up close and quite personal with Creel was a rewarding way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
With major theatre credits that include Hair and Mary Poppins (West End), Hair and Thoroughly Modern Millie (both bringing Tony Award nominations) and La Cage aux Folles, there was much to discuss and plenty of angles for Seckerson.
But, as interesting as the first 45 minutes of chat was, the few recorded tracks played were never going to be any substitute for live performance, a noticeable young and very knowledgeable audience clearly yearning for Creel to sit at the piano, hit the keys and burst into song.
Born in Ohio, Creel received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre at the University of Michigan in 1998, is fiercely proud of his gay sexuality, his art-form, songwriting and ability to pick-up Cockney rhyming slang while working in London. “I don’t like fuss,” said Creel mischievously, “but if I have to do fuss then I don’t mind at all.”
Living in the moment is what it’s all about, he commented, that moment on stage when an actor is really in the zone, hitting the notes perfectly and loving being there for that performance. As for his motivation in taking a part, at least at one stage in his career, that was easy to explain. “I was down to my last $81!”
For fans of musical theatre, these almost cathartic interviews offer gems of insight, stripped bare, of the art of performing. It’s great being on stage, but it’s also hard work, Creel reminded us. “Matinees are the devil’s work,” he exclaimed, while the ultra polite, very British backstage announcements are an annoying but amusing trait of London theatres compared to the USA.
When joined on stage at the piano by fellow Book of Mormon cast members, Mark Anderson and then Stephen Ashfield, the afternoon really moved up a notch. The finest moment was when Creel and Anderson sang ‘Pretending Love’, a beautiful song penned by Creel and as good an indication as any of his naturally gifted musical talent. A charity event in support of his nominated charity, West End Serves, next in the interviewee chair for the Singular Sensations series on 4 May is Hannah Waddingham.
Derek Smith
Readers may also be interested in:
Singular Sensations – Patricia Routledge – Charing Cross Theatre – Review
Singular Sensations – Janie Dee – Charing Cross Theatre – Review
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