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

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.