8 Brits we'd like to see play Hedwig in the West End
Following the recent rumours that Hedwig and the Angry Inch will soon be making its way to the West End, the inevitable debate arose in WOS HQ as to who we would like to play the title role.
Obviously we'd love to see Neil Patrick Harris, Michael C. Hall, Darren Criss, Andrew Rannells, John Cameron Mitchell or Taye Diggs over in London, but what if we could only pick from British talent? The results of our conversation are below, along with some horrendous photoshopping, apologies guys.
Killian Donnelly
From The Commitments to Memphis the Musical and soon to appear in Kinky Boots, Killian is definitely man-of-the-moment and strutting around the Adelphi in six-inch heels will be good practice for a future Hedwig.
NB: We are aware Killian is Irish, but he's an honorary Brit in our eyes!
Simon Lipkin
After electric performances in Rock of Ages and I Can't Sing! we know he has the stamina. There's no puppet though, which may be an issue.
Eddie Redmayne
Oscar-winning Redmayne is set to play the first ever transgender person to undergo gender reassignment surgery, Lili Elbe, in Hollywood blockbuster The Danish Girl, so to play Hedwig in his West End musical debut wouldn't be such a stretch.
Daniel Radcliffe
After getting naked in Equus in 2007 and starring in the 2012 screen adaptation of Woman in Black, plus a Broadway run in How To Succeed, Daniel's been trying hard to shake his Harry Potter label. What better way to complete this transition than with a genderqueer East German singer named Hedwig?
Adrian Lester
In 1995, Lester won an Olivier for playing the first black Bobby in Company, and he also played Anthony Hope in the National Theatre's production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 1993. It's been far too long since we last saw him in a musical; perhaps this could be his chance to return?
Jamie Campbell Bower
Currently fronting new British musical Bend It Like Beckham, Jamie played Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd (the 2007 film). He is also the lead singer in a band called The Darling Buds so should fit into the role nicely.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Ejiofor got the taste for wearing high heels whilst playing drag queen Lola in the 2005 film Kinky Boots. He's appearing in Everyman at the National Theatre until 30 August, which will give him time to have a break afterwards before getting back into a dress.
Samuel Barnett
History Boy Barnett is currently appearing in The Beaux' Stratagem, also at the National Theatre. After spending the last few years mostly performing Shakespeare, Hedwig would be a great chance to let down his hair, so to speak.
