Simon Bailey: “New work is always the most exciting”

The work of the award winning American Composer Bobby Cronin will be showcased in concert next 27th February at London’s New Players Theatre. The concert ‘The Songs of Bobby Cronin’ will feature a cast of West End stars, included Simon Bailey.

Simon Bailey starred last Christmas in STRIKING 12 at Waterloo East Theatre, and previously he had performed in PASSION at the Donmar Warehouse, as part of Sondheim´s 80th birthday celebrations. He has also played leading roles in other West End shows as Raoul in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Enjolras in LES MISÉRABLES, or Simon / Pharaoh in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. He was also member of the cast of WE WILL ROCK YOU and starred in the world premiere of ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE ADELPHI in Liverpool.

Simon is also a member of the vocal group Teatro, which debut album went Gold within 4 weeks and they have travelled all over the world performing in some of the finest locations.

Simon Bailey tells us about his upcoming new projects and about his career in musical theatre.

YOU WILL TAKE PART IN THE CONCERT ‘THE SONGS OF BOBBY CRONIN’ ON 27TH FEBRUARY. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE PART OF IT?
It means a lot. To be amongst such a fantastic array of performers is an honour in itself, and to be chosen to showcase a new, exciting and wonderfully talented writers´ work is something that any performer would like to do. New work is always the most exciting.

WHAT COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT BOBBY CRONIN’S MUSIC? HOW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE IT?
Bobby has a wonderful narrative to his songs, allowing them to become three or four minute stories. This in itself is fantastic for an actor, but to have incredible melodies on which to tell those stories is an incredible bonus. Bobby combines the story and the melody effortlessly and intelligently.

WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY MUSICAL THEATRE LOVERS SHOULDN’T MISS THIS CONCERT? HOW WILL THAT NIGHT BE?
The night will be great fun, and I urge all fans of theatre, musical theatre and music in general to come and listen to this great new work. I know that all the performers are excited, and that will only add to the audiences´ enjoyment.

‘THE SONGS OF BOBBY CRONIN’ IS PRODUCED BY SIMON GREIFF, WHO WAS ALSO THE DIRECTOR OF YOUR LAST LONDON SHOW STRIKING 12. HOW IS IT WORKING WITH HIM?
Working with Simon was fantastic. He comes from a performers´ background, and is highly skilled on stage so he has been in the situations he directs you in many times. To work with a director who understands the needs of the actor, the processes of the actor, is invaluable, as you know it will be a completely collaborative experience. Any actor enjoys that, and I am certainly one of those actors. I was so pleased he asked me to join his cast for ´The Songs of Bobby Cronin" as I get to work with him again. I also totally admire his choices of the pieces he wants to direct, new, never before seen. I think that is vital to theatre in general.

NOW YOU’RE TOURING IN THE U.S. WITH THE VOCAL GROUP TEATRO. HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THIS TOUR SO FAR?
Touring with the guys is great. We all get along so well, and all have the same interests in the music that we like and choose. The United States is such a vast place, and to have the opportunity to take our music over there and see that beautiful country is a dream come true really.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO COMBINE YOUR WORK IN DIFFERENT MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTIONS WITH THE GROUP?
We all speak regularly about projects that come up that we are passionate about, and are all very understanding of each others careers individually in the theatre. When something comes up that one of us really wants to do, we all discuss it and come to the best arrangement. So far we have managed to combine Teatro work with our individual work with no problems at all.

LAST YEAR YOU PERFORMED IN THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DONMAR WAREHOUSE PRODUCTION OF ‘PASSION’ ALONGSIDE ELENA ROGER. WHAT DID IT MEAN TO WORK IN THIS PRODUCTION?
Any actors´ dream is to work at the Donmar Warehouse. It is one of the most respected establishments in the world. It was a complete honour to be asked to join that company, in such an important piece as ´Passion´, in Stephen Sondheim´s 80th year celebration. I worked under the direction of the phenomenal Jamie Lloyd, and learnt more in that period under him than I could possibly have imagined. I also met the great Stephen Sondheim himself, and got to work alongside a frighteningly talented group of actors, of whom I am incredibly proud to be associated with.

IN THE WEST END YOU HAVE PLAYED DIFFERENT LEADING ROLES. WHICH ARE THE BEST MEMORIES DO YOU KEEP FROM EACH OF THEM?
With every new show comes a new set of people, a new direction and a new adventure. Each and every show I have done I have taken wonderful memories, made great new friends and learnt something new every time. These are all very important things to me.

WHAT KIND OF CHARACTERS AND IN WHICH KIND OF PRODUCTIONS DO YOU ENJOY MOST PERFORMING?
I think that, especially now, I like to try and choose different characters to play. To keep playing the same character over and over doesn´t allow you to progress in any way. That doesn´t excite me. What I find exciting about an acting career is always being able to take chances, risks and see where they take you. That´s why I wanted to be an actor, to constantly search for the unknown.

COULD YOU COMMENT ON YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS?
The only thing I would say about the projects I involve myself in, is that I now only really want to do something if it excites me. Whenever I take something on, I put 100% of myself into it, it´s my every thought really. So to have been fortunate enough to have done the things I have done, and still have these amazing projects to look forward to, makes me feel very proud.