Liam Doyle on HSM 2
Liam Doyle won the role of Troy in the touring production of High School Musical 2, in a GMTV competition, voted for by viewers. The show arrives at the Opera House from 23 – 28 November. Liam’s love of performing mirrors that of Troy Boulton, the characrter he plays, originally made famous by heart-throb Zac Efron in the three HSM movies.
You won GMTV’s Search For Troy. How does that enhance your performance?
It has given me more confidence knowing that people voted for me to play Troy, but also in the back of my head there’s a little bit more pressure because I don’t want to let those people down.
When did you realise that this (acting and performing) was something you wanted as a career?
I realised that performing was for me relatively late in comparison to many people. I guess like the character of Troy, I was really into sports and only started acting 2 years ago, so its been a whirlwind since then. As soon as I started on stage though, I kind of knew that this is what I should be doing as a career.
They say never work with animals or children. How do you deal with the screaming and adulation when you have songs to sing and emotional scenes?
I have to admit that at times it can be very hard to concentrate when young kids are singing along at the top of their lungs, but we just block the other noise out so it doesn’t really affect us. It’s amazing to see how passionate they are about High School Musical though. They know every lyric to every song.
Why do you think HSM is so big?
I think because the whole experience leaves you happy and uplifted. The music is incredible. For me I love singing the music and I don’t think I’ll ever be in a bad mood for as long as I’m doing this show.
Do you have a favourite song and why?
My favourite song is Troy’s solo “Bet On It”, in the film is quite an hilarious sequence where Zac Efron runs around a golf course. But in the show its been changed and has a more rocky edge. I love it because its completely different to anything in the show. It’s a bit darker and more serious and really allows me let loose!
What’s been the funniest/most memorable incident that has happened on stage so far?
Well I shoot hoops in a section in act two, so the show’s going well and we get to the basketball scene. I normally get two shots before Nikki who plays Gabriella comes on. My first shot went in quite easily, so I decided to go a bit further away than usual for my second shot. Bad idea! I threw it so hard that it hit the rim and bounced off randomly and landed in the pit. We had to do a whole scene about basketball, without basketball on stage!
What was the last thing you saw on stage and enjoyed?
I saw War Horse just before we set out on tour which was amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it, I’d recommend anyone to go see it. I also really love Hairspray in the West End – great fun.
High School Musical 2 runs at the Opera House from 23 – 27 November and arrives at the Liverpool Empire from 1 – 6 Feb, 2010.
