My Top 5 Showtunes: Billy Cullum

Billy Cullum plays Mark Cohen in the 20th anniversary UK tour of Rent, which is currently playing to sold out audiences at the St James Theatre, before continuing on tour around the country.

His previous credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and Matilda (Cambridge Theatre).

We caught up with Billy and asked him: "If you were stranded on a desert island which five showtunes could you not live without?"

1. "Walk Through the Fire" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More With Feeling

This is my favourite TV show ever and the fact that there's a musical episode is just beyond the perfect combination. GENIUS!

2. "Totally Fucked" from Spring Awakening

I fell in love with this show the moment I heard the soundtrack. Duncan Sheik is a genius. I worked front of house at the Lyric Hammersmith when it was first on in London and then I got to play Moritz in the UK tour, which was a dream role. I remember seeing this number for the first time and the energy was incredible.

3. "Satisfied" from Hamilton

I was lucky enough to see Hamilton on a recent trip to New York. I knew nothing about the show but everyone was raving about it. This song reminded me of throwback Destiny's Child and the staging was out of this world!

4. "Hair" from Hair

I used to have really long mad curly hair so this was my song! I'm a bit of a hippie at heart.

5 "I Miss the Mountains" from Next to Normal

I saw Next to Normal on Broadway with the original cast. It was my first time in New York. This show blew me away and hit very close to home. Alice Ripley broke my heart when she sang this song.