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Are there really 'few leading men' in the West End?

Date: 25 July 2012

West End's Leading Men

Andrew Lloyd Webber's comment on Superstar last night that "we've got so few leading men in theatre" surprised us somewhat. We think that there are plenty of great leading men around, so much so that we’ve put together a list of 15 leading actors in shows that are either on now or coming up soon in the West End. If we extended the list to actors not currently treading the boards, we’d be here all day, of course!

Michael Ball - currently in SWEENEY TODD

The king of them all, Michael Ball has enjoyed a long and fruitful career as a West End leading man (and lady), including working on Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera and Aspects of Love, among others. He won a Whatsonstage.com Award for his cross-dressing turn as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and can currently be seen starring in Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi Theatre alongside Imelda Staunton.

Tom Chambers - currently in TOP HAT

Having risen to fame in TV's Holby City, Tom Chambers has established himself as a leading West End man thanks to a winning turn on Strictly Come Dancing and successfully stepping into Fred Astaire's tap shoes in Irving Berlin songfest Top Hat, currently running at the Aldwych Theatre.

Adam Cooper - currently in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

Like Chambers, Adam Cooper is more noted for his dancing than singing, having successfully made the transition from ballet to musical theatre. The former Royal Ballet principal can currently be seen (literally) making audiences wet in Singin' in the Rain at the Palace Theatre.

Adam Garcia - currently in KISS ME, KATE

Australian heartthrob Adam Garcia made his London debut in 1993 with Hot Shoe Shuffle, a tap dance show, and went on to star in Grease and Saturday Night Fever as well as films including Coyote Ugly. He's currently playing Bill Calhoun in Trevor Nunn's revival of Kiss Me, Kate at the Chichester Festival Theatre, which transfers to the Old Vic in November.

Mark Evans - currently in GHOST THE MUSICAL

Mark Evans has racked up leading man credits as Fiyero in Wicked, Curly in the recent UK tour of Oklahoma!, Troy Bolton in the London production of High School Musical and Brad Majors in the UK tour of the Rocky Horror Show. He can currently be seen in Ghost the Musical at the Piccadilly, where he took over from fellow leading man du jour, Whatsonstage.com Award winner Richard Fleeshman.

David Bedella - currently in TORCH SONG TRILOGY

The inimitable American-born David Bedella won an Olivier Award for originating the role of Satan in Jerry Springer: The Opera in 2003. He has since appeared as Billy Flynn in Chicago and toured the UK as Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. He can currently be seen giving a virtuoso turn in the Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy.

Matt Willis - currently in WICKED

Matt Willis came to prominence as a member of the BRIT Award-winning band Busted and has subsequently appeared on TV in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. Having trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, he made his West End debut in Flashdance and is currently playing love interest Fiyero in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.

Rolan Bell - currently in RAGTIME

Rolan Bell has notched up an impressive CV of West End credits, including The Harder They Come, The Lion King and the title role in Fela! when it transferred to Sadler’s Wells. He can currently be seen in the Open Air Theatre's revival of Ragtime, which runs until 8 September.

Jon Robyns - currently in SPAMALOT

Jon Robyns was a member of the original West End cast of puppet musical Avenue Q (as Princeton/Rod) and has also appeared in Les Miserables (as Marius). He has just returned to the West End as part of the new cast of Monty Python musical Spamalot, in which he plays Sir Galahad alongside comedian Marcus Brigstocke as King Arthur.

Michael Xavier - opening in SOHO CINDERS

Michael Xavier has also donned Sir Galahad's armour, as part of the show's original residency at the Palace Theatre. He brought tears to many an eye in Love Story at the Duchess Theatre in 2010, has just been seen on the road alongside Connie Fisher in Wonderful Town and is about to star opposite Jenna Russell in Stiles and Drewe's new musical Soho Cinders at Soho Theatre. (Don't miss our Outing, including Q&A, on 7 August!)

Ryan Molloy - currently in JERSEY BOYS

Another Whatsonstage.com Award winner, Ryan Molloy has played the part of Frankie Valli in the West End run of Jersey Boys for over four years, ever since its London premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre. That may not quite put him in the same league as American actress Catherine Russell, who played the same role for 21 years, but is nevertheless testament to the staying power of this dapper young star from the North East of England.

Shaun Escoffery - currently in THE LION KING

Matching Molloy in the longevity stakes is Shaun Escoffery, who has played Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre since 2008. The smooth-voiced soul singer has previously appeared in West End big-hitters including Les Miserables and Tommy, as well as the Donmar Warehouse’s critically acclaimed UK premiere of Parade in 2007, for which he won an Olivier .

Oliver Tompsett - currently in ROCK OF AGES

Like many of our West End leading men, Oliver Tompsett won an army of fans in the role of Fiyero in Wicked. The Arts Ed graduate has also been seen in Our House, Mamma Mia! and Over My Shoulder, and can currently be seen playing Drew in head-banging Broadway import Rock of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre. You may have also spotted him on screen in the early rounds of the Superstar competition….

Geronimo Rauch - currently in LES MISERABLES

Imported star Geronimo Rauch is currently playing Jean Valjean in the West End’s longest-running musical Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre. He has been very successful in Spain and his native Argentina, having roles in Chicago and Grease as well as playing Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. He has also played Jean Valjean in Madrid and Barcelona.

Tommy Steele - opening in SCROOGE

Finally, a special nod to a veteran leading man whose long career has comprised over 20 hit singles, Hollywood movies such as The Happiest Millionaire and Finian’s Rainbow, and countless stage musicals such as Half a Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain. Tommy Steele is about to reprise his now legendary performance in the title role of Scrooge at the London Palladium.

Is there anyone else that you think we’ve missed? Do you agree with Lloyd Webber’s comments? Do you think that there is plenty of talent around, but lots of people aren’t being cast? And feel free to tell us any names you think we've missed...

Related Content

Booking Tickets & Show Listings
	Jesus Christ Superstar Listing Page

Internal Links
	Review Round-up: Are Forster, Minchin, Moyles & Mel C Superstars? - 24th Sep 2012 roundup
	Jesus Christ Superstar - 24th Sep 2012 reviews
	1st Night Photos: Lloyd Webber praises cast at Superstar premiere - 22nd Sep 2012 photos
	WOS TV: Behind the scenes with Jesus Christ Superstar - 20th Sep 2012 tv
	Superstar Update Mel C, on Playing a Modern Day Mary - 12th Sep 2012 interviews
	Superstar Update Ben Forster, Living the Dream - 7th Sep 2012 interviews
	You could still be Jesus � and Judas - 28th Aug 2012 features
	Full casting announced for JCS tour, Hanson plays Pilate - 22nd Aug 2012 news
	Superstar Interviews -The Winner: Ben Forster - 6th Aug 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Rory Taylor - 30th Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Roger Wright - 29th Jul 2012 interviews
	Ben Forster wins ITV's Superstar to play arena Jesus - 26th Jul 2012 news
	Superstar Interviews: David Hunter - 26th Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Jon Moses - 25th Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Jeff Anderson - 25th Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Tim Prottey-Jones - 24th Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar blog: Semi-final time - 24th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: Tweetgate - 24th Jul 2012 blog
	Mel C spices up charts with Superstar showtune? - 23rd Jul 2012 gossip
	Superstar Interviews: Niall Sheehy - 23rd Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Dirk Johnston - 23rd Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar blog: You nailed it - 21st Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: Who does the Lord want? - 20th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: Another one bites the dust - 19th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: The second evictee - 18th Jul 2012 blog
	Matinee performance added for Superstar at the O2 Arena - 17th Jul 2012 news
	Superstar blog: The first exit - 17th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: First live show - 16th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: The final ten - 14th Jul 2012 blog
	Jesus: Have you checked out the new Superstar app? - 9th Jul 2012 gossip
	Superstar blog: Episode two - the island - 8th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: Opening show auditions - 7th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: The search for Jesus Christ is almost complete - 1st Jul 2012 blog
	Lloyd Webber's Superstar confirms first broadcast, 7 Jul - 28th Jun 2012 news
	First Superstar UK tour to play in Newcastle - 20th May 2012 news
	Superstar blog: Jesus Christ & other miscasting - 17th May 2012 blog
	Chris Moyles & Mel C join Tim Minchin in Superstar - 16th May 2012 news
	Minchin makes another musical debut as Judas in Superstar - 8th May 2012 news
	Dawn French returns to pious performance with Superstar? - 17th Apr 2012 gossip
	Will Amanda Holden host ITV's search for a Jesus Christ Superstar? - 28th Mar 2012 gossip
	Lloyd Webber & ITV team up to search for Superstar - 18th Jan 2012 news
	Lloyd Webber Readies Jesus Christ Superstar for World Arena Tour??? - 10th Mar 2011 gossip

Reader Comments

Comment	Date
As a Canadian, I haven't seen or heard most of your talent. But OMG you have Ramin Karimloo, who puts so much passion in his music and acting that I envy all of you so much that you have him there! - Lynne Rutherford	17 Aug 12

there is a 16 year old boy called ryan shore who lives in my area(stratford upon avon). he has the most amazing voice for 16 that I have ever heard. he will surely be up here one day as he would be perfect for things like les miserables. - anon	12 Aug 12

Other than Michael Ball, and Tommy Steele I wonder how many of the above named actors my mum in Gloucestershire would recognise? Possibly David Badella and Tom Chambers 'off the TV', but Mat Willis? Mark Evans? No. They may be (indeed are) fantastic actors/singers but they are not box office, which I'm sure is what ALW meant. They are not 'above the title' leading men that coach-parties will be booked on the back of. - Richard Voyce	07 Aug 12

We have wonderful West End men including Michael Ball, Ramin Karimloo, Julian Ovendon, and I have just seen "West End Men" with the fabulous Lee Mead with Matt Rawle and Stephen Rahman-Hughes. There are too few musicals for the talent around. - Vicki	01 Aug 12

You have missed the brilliant Dean Chisnall who is playing Shrek in Shrek. He is staggeringly good and currently occupying the No1 dressing room at The Theatre Royal Drury Lane. - Anon	30 Jul 12

Let's not confuse solid, dependable performers with those very few gents who combine skill and ability with the dazzling star quality to be 'a leading man' - having a lead role does not make you a 'leading man'. ALW meant we lack theatrical stars - in the UK it's really down to Michael Ball. We don't have a UK equivalent to Hugh Jackman, Burke Moses, Brian Stokes Mitchell (and ladies like LuPone, Chenoweth, Prince and Stritch)etc because we have a different theatre market to the US. - Js10886	29 Jul 12

The king of them all... How true that quote is Of Musicals MICHAEL BALL, He has such talent,and THE VOICE,well there is no one that can match THAT! AND WITH THE MASSIVE HIT SWEENEY TODD the ACTOR in him has really come out in such force, cannot see anyone out there who will take his CROWN!(as for what about J'B', well he has hardly done much in the west-end has he?? so, think he is not there for that reason.) - J. Clark	28 Jul 12

ALW was clearly desperately trying to justify the existence of that dreadfully contrived show of his. Utter nonsense...as is this list until it includes Dean Chisnall and Bertie Carvel...both of whom give an outstanding performance in two of the most popular shows currently in the West End! How could you leave them off?! Tut tut!! - Pam	27 Jul 12

You have missed out the gorgeous Julian Ovenden. Shame on you! - Adele Winston	27 Jul 12

I would say ALW has it in reverse there is an overwhelming amount of talented male leads in the west end, more talent than was apparent in the show. Alongside the ones you have mentioned there is the mighty men of musicals - think of John Owen-Jones, Ramin Karimloo, Hadley Fraser, Earl Carpenter and a hoard of other talented and underrated individuals. - Belinda Dixon	27 Jul 12

Compared to Broadway I think we do have very few real leading men. The only ones I can think of are Michael Ball, Ramin Karimloo and John Barrowman. They need that extra spark of something, be able to carry a show and need to be able to sing, dance and act. Most of your list are just very capable and solid performers. Of course, no one comes close to the true leading men like Hugh Jackman. - Steve	27 Jul 12

Bertie Carvel, Alex Gaumond, Oliver Thomsett Simon Lipkin, Dean Chisnell.... - Fizz	26 Jul 12

Bertie Carvel, Hadley Fraser, Peter Joback, Ramin Karimloo, Tam Mutu, John Owen-Jones, Gerónimo Rauch - S Bredbere	26 Jul 12

KIllian Donnelly in "The Phantom...", Gerónimo Rauch & Tam Mutu in "Les Misérables" - Mariano	26 Jul 12

Why isn't Ramin Karimloo on your list? He is an amazing talent. - Natalie	26 Jul 12

Stephen Ashfield and Nigel Harman, both award winners! - Liz	26 Jul 12

John Owen Jones (Phantom, Les Mis) and Alex Bourne (Kiss Me, Kate, We Will Rock You) - Amanda	26 Jul 12

Lee Mead, Ramin karimloo - Lynda Robinson	26 Jul 12

...Lee Mead,Stephen Rahman- Huges Matt Rawle, currently showing how it should be done in a tour entitled West End Men - brilliant and all three should be currently performing in a musical in the WE. They are phenomenal! - CarolW	26 Jul 12

Christ on a bike what is ALW on about...There's so much talent out there its criminal..deffo second john Owen Jones..and not forgetting Simon Bailey!! - ashley	25 Jul 12

I'd like to add Oliver Thornton to list. Played felicia in priscilla. - KrazyKaz	25 Jul 12

Bertie Carvel? - Emsworthian	25 Jul 12

Ummm what about John Barrowman???!!! Billy Crocker Anything Goes, Albin in La Cage! Alex Gaumond, WWRY and legally blonde. The problem isn't we don't have enough leading men. It's that people are only bothered about "famous" leading men. The uk audience is so lazy they wait for a star to be given to them after 15 minutes of fame on tv. Rather than waiting for a star to grow. They only go and see a show because they can see someone off the telly. I think if the Olivier awards were broadcast like the Tony awards are in America people would see the wealth of talent uk theatre has! :) - Yzzy	25 Jul 12

ALW shouldn't have said what he did, he obviously doesn't know the talent that is in the West End at the moment. Ramin Karimloo & John Owen-Jones should be added to the list! - Rebecca	25 Jul 12

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