Interviews

5 minutes with: Obioma Ugoala – 'It's a lot of pressure playing Smokey Robinson'

We talk to ”Motown: the Musical”’s new Smokey Robinson, and find out what it was like on the set of the new Disney adaptation of ”Beauty and the Beast”

Obiama Ugoala as Smokey Robinson in Motown: the Musical
Obiama Ugoala as Smokey Robinson in Motown: the Musical
© Alastair Muir

On my first day at Drama Centre, I saw someone in the corridor in their boxers shouting: "Where are my bloody clothes!?" I knew about RADA and LAMDA, but there was something about how [Drama Centre] was so unpretentious that appealed to me. No one took it too seriously, even though they were serious about the work. I thought: "This is the place for me."

Working on Motown really has a real family feel. I’m not going to say it’s always like that – we bicker like any family does – but there’s a real sense of care about the story we’re telling. When you’re listening to the music, you can forget that this was glass-ceiling shattering stuff – it was breaking down so many barriers. Berry [Gordy; founder of Motown record label] was the driving force behind Smokey [Robinson], Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, Gladys Knight… It's an honour to be part of that story.

Smokey Robinson is the definition of a living legend. He’s still performing and touring the US. He has this effortless coolness, and everyone knows him. Everyone has a favourite song, so when I come on stage and everyone cheers, I think: "Oh god, please don’t mess it up!" It's a lot of pressure.

Working with the cast of Beauty and the Beast was a wonderful experience. After I auditioned, I had a few emails from my agent saying "Obi! Call me now! Now!" When I did, she said: "They've offered you the part, and you start rehearsals tomorrow." I remember looking around the room during the read-through and seeing the likes of Ian McKellan, Ewan McGregor, Emma Watson and I thought there's just Tonys and Oscars everywhere. It's going to be wonderful.

If I could only play one more part in theatre, I would probably go with Macbeth. Is that unoriginal? I don't care, it's a great part. I'd love to play it.

Motown The Musical runs at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 28 October 2017.