NORMAN BOWMAN, Arbroath (Scotland) 1969

His professional debut was as Jean Prouvaire/understudy Marius in LES MISÉRABLES.

Other theatre credits include the roles of Tom Watson / Officer Starnes in the Donmar Warehouse production of PARADE; Sky Masterson in GUYS AND DOLLS, at West End’s Piccadilly Theatre; Coach Bolton in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (Hammersmith Apolo); Billy Bigelow in CAROUSEL (Chichester Festival Theatre; Anthony in SWEENEY TODD (New Vic, Stoke); Prince Charming in CINDERELLA (Hackney Empire); Marius in LES MISÉRABLES (West End and UK tour); Danny Zuko in GREASE, Munkustrap in CATS; Artie in SUNSET BOULEVARD; Tony in WEST SIDE STORY; Frederic in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE; Jack Robinson in ‘Lady Be Good’ and Demetrius in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (Regent’s Park Open Air); Alvaro Vigne in ‘Alvaro’s Balcony’ (Landor); and Tony Candelino in ‘Masterclas’s (UK tours) and ‘Love, Lust’ and ‘Jealousy Under a Mediterranean Sky’ (selection of Shakespeare scenes for the Badua Arts Festival, Montenegro).

Currently he is performing the role of Sam Carmichael in the West End production of MAMMA MIA!, at the Prince Edward Theatre.


- The first musical you saw and/or most impressed you: I remember getting quite a thrill from seeing CATS when the tour visited Edinburgh in 1986. The whole experience was so unique: the action spilling out into the auditorium, the fantastic costumes and brilliant tunes. Enchanting.

- You would like to make a duet with: I have sung many times with my partner Rebecca Vere but I would love to record an album of duets with her someday. Other than that I would perhaps like to do a version of “You’re Nothing Without Me” from CITY OF ANGELS with Hugh Jackman.  He’s a dude!

- Webber or Sondheim? That’s a hard one. I love listening to Webber as I’ve always done for years but Sondheim is the challenge as a singer and from which you get more performance satisfaction. But as I have a more emotional connection with the likes of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA and STARLIGHT EXPRESS it may have to be Webber. Just don’t tell Sondheim .

- London or New York? I only have the one experience of New York, which I loved, and I would of course welcome the chance do a show on Broadway but London is where it’s at for me. The Americans can do American but they can’t do British but we can do British AND American.

- Do you keep the programmes of the musicals you watch? Absolutely. I rarely return to them once they’re stored away but it’s a tangible memento of your theatrical experience whether it was a good one or a bad one.

- The worst moment you’ve had live on the stage was (as a performer and/or as a spectator): I’ve dried on stage umpteen times - so much so that these days it doesn’t scare me as much BUT when it happened to me while playing Munkustrap in CATS it was really unsettling. It was my solo introducing Old Deuteronomy and I had all the other Cats at my feet looking up at me. I was standing there proud as you like with a puffed out chest leading the way and then ping!......the words just went out of my head. All the other Cats started to sing the words for me but it was no good I became a scaredy cat.

- An unforgettable moment (as a performer and/or as a spectator): Having understudied Ewan McGregor’s Sky Masterson in GUYS AND DOLLS I was later invited to play the part in my own right. It was made all the more amazing that the actor playing Nathan Detroit was the beautiful legend Patrick Swayze. It was his one and only West End role and to act alongside him was a truly remarkable experience.

- Do you have any superstitions before the opening night? Not really though for each show you do find yourself getting in to little habits, doing certain things at certain times but there’s nothing that I take with me to every show.

- A musical character that you would like to BE (not perform): Eek! I guess Sky Masterson. Having played him I realized I’d never be as cool or as confident as him.  Danny Zuko is a close second.

- A character of your opposite sex that you would like to perform: Great question. Never been asked that one before. Donna in MAMMA MIA is a great part with some fab songs to sing but arguably Evita is THE female role.

- What do you like best/least about your work? When I’m working I get to go and do something I truly love and have a passion for, not many people can say that about their work. Nor does anyone else get a round of applause for his or her efforts at the end of the day.  The chance to do something different with each job and maybe gather a little fame along the way is a bonus too. It’s also the best social club in the world where you can make friends for life and meet the weirdest, funniest and most talented people ever! The downsides for me are that contracts can be too long, that some producers, directors and casting directors have an unhealthy lack of respect for actors and some actors have an unhealthy lack of respect for their work and fellow colleagues. Oh and politics - that ruins everything.

- What is your favorite musical movie? For me it has to be WEST SIDE STORY. You can’t watch that movie and not be moved. It’s a classic tale that has the most beautiful dance sequences, characters you actually care about and its all bound together by THE most extraordinarly beautiful music. I love GREASE too though. :)

- The last CD/DVD related to Musicals that you have bought is: SPRING AWAKENINGs. A thumping show packed with a rocking score that had me feeling 16 again.

- What is your favorite line from a musical: It’s Maria’s response to Tony’s line when they first meet at the Dance at the gym.
TONY: It´s so much to believe-you´re not joking me?
MARIA: I have not yet learned how to joke that way. I think now I never will.

- Agree or disagree with TV Shows finding new Musical Stars: I believe that musical theatre would have survived without the help of TV Shows but they have undoubtedly helped boost West End attendances and led to the most financially successful years the industry has ever seen. My problem is that not all actors want to compete for parts on such a platform which means the winners are only ever chosen from a select few who are brave enough to do so on national tv.

- You feel proud of: I’m proud to have worked consistently since college. Every job I’ve done has enriched my life somehow and I’ve never taken for granted that it can all end tomorrow.

- Of this moment you’re living as an actor, the most important thing to you is: To keep working, to make sure the work is varied and challenging and to have the professional and personal respect of my peers.

- Other projects you are working on: At the moment I am in regular workshops for a new production of LITTLE WOMEN the musical based on the famous novel by Louisa May Alcott.