Hadley Fraser: “THE FANTASTICKS is a show that blossoms with an active audience”

Last 24th May THE FANTASTICKS began previews at West End’s Duchess Theatre. The mythical musical created by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones 50 years ago come backs to London with a brand new production directed by Amon Miyakoto.

British actor Hadley Fraser leads the cast performing the role of El Gallo. He’s joined by Clive Rowe (Hucklebee), David Burt (Bellomy), Lorna Want (Luisa), Luke Brady (Matt), Edward Petherbridge (Henry), Paul Hunter (Mortimer) and Carl Au (The Mute).

Hadley Fraser made his West End debut in 2002 performing Marius in LES MISÉRABLES (Palace Theatre). He has also star in musicals as THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Savoy Theatre), THE FAR PAVILIONS (Shaftesbury Theatre). ASSASSINS (Sheffield Crucible) and PACIFIC OVERTURES (Leicester Haymarket). In 2007 he made his Broadway debut starring Schönberg & Boublil’s THE PIRATE QUEEN besides Stephanie J. Block.

Now Hadley Fraser has come back to the West End performing the more charismatic role of THE FANTASTICKS, the World’s longest-running musical that celebrated its 50th Anniversary in the Off-Broadway last May 3rd, and that it’s still running at The Snapple Theater Center in NYC.

Hadley Fraser tells us about his work in THE FANTASTICKS and about his profesional career in musical theatre.

YOU HAVE JUST BEGUN PREVIEWS OF ‘THE FANTASTICKS’, HOW HAS THE FIRST CONTACT WITH THE AUDIENCE BEEN?
Wonderful. It really is a show that blossoms with an active audience. Their investment in the show brings actually beneficial reward –just as ours does as performers. It’s thrilling really

THIS PRODUCTION IS BEING DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY AMON MIYAKOTO. HOW HAS HIS WORK CONTRIBUTED TO THE SHOW?
Amon is such a master of each moment. He constructs a show in great detail, in order that the big picture be complete. He’s a bit like George Seurat. Precision is beauty.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU PERFORMING THE ROLE OF EL GALLO?
It’s a different challenge for me. Less Romantic lead, more mystery narrator figure. A nice change, and perhaps a reflection of reaching my 30’s

HOW IS IT TO WORK WITH SUCH A SMALL CAST?
A delight, to be honest. Such experience, such energy, such finesse all in one cast. Small, but perfectly formed.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE SHOW BEFORE? WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE TAKING PART OF THIS PRODUCTION?
No, never. I knew the show by reputation only, and of course could hum “Try To Remember”, like most of us.

WHICH DO YOU THINK THAT IS THE MORAL OF ‘THE FANTASTICKS’?
I believe that’s very open to interpretation, like the best writing. You really have to see it to decide for yourself.

‘THE FANTASTICKS’ PREVIOUS LONDON PRODUCTIONS HAVEN’T BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL AS EXPECTED. DO YOU THINK THAT THIS ONE WILL MAKE LONDONERS LOVE THE MUSICAL?
I think so. It is very different from any other musical on offer in the West End currently. I think audiences will enjoy using their imagination.

YOUR WEST END DEBUT WAS AS MARIUS IN ‘LES MISERABLES’. WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOU MAKING YOUR DEBUT WITH SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE? HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF TAKING PART OF THIS SHOW?
I didn’t really know the show before I got cast, so only learn its reputation whilst on the show. Perfect way to learn one’s craft.

YOU ALSO STARRED ON THE BROADWAY RUNNING OF ‘THE PIRATE QUEEN’ ALONGSIDE STEPHANIE J. BLOCK, WHO TOLD US IN A RECENT INTERVIEW THAT SHE WOULD NOT TRADE THE TIME SHE SPENT WITH THIS SHOW, CREATIVE TEAM, PRODUCERS AND CAST FOR ANYTHING. IT WAS ALSO A GREAT TIME FOR YOU?
Utterly. I feel the same as SjB. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was my Broadway debut too. Very special.

ONE OF THE DIRECTORS YOU MOST HAVE WORKED WITH IS NIKOLAI FOSTER, WHO HAS DIRECTED YOU IN ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’, ‘MY FAIR LADY’ AND ‘ASSASSINS’. HOW WOULD YOU VALUE YOUR WORK WITH HIM IN THESE SHOWS?
Nikolai has regularly given me a chance at really creating a character, and as such is a director I would drop everything to work with, like Aron. He is a tremendously gifted director and one whom I believe truly understands the theatre and what it can achieve.

Hadley Fraser (El Gallo) and Lorna Want (Luisa) in THE FANTASTICKS