Interview

Hadley Fraser

Hadley Fraser is the star of The Far Pavilions at the Shaftesbury Theatre. An epic tale of adventure, romance and intrigue in Victorian India, it sees Hadley play a young English officer, raised as an Indian, who falls in love with the Indian princess he knew as a child. He's made a hit with female fans and Paul Webb galloped round to the Stage Door to see what all the fuss was about...

The Far Pavilions is set in India - do you have a lot of Asians in the audience? "Yes, and noticeably more so than in most West Ends shows. We've several Indian stars in the show and they come to see them, just as English audiences who have enjoyed M M Kaye's book, on which the musical is based, come to see how we've managed to stage their favourite novel."

It's been a long time coming... "These things can take some time! I think it's been about seven years since the producer and composer got together on this...I've been with it since last August, and I'm looking forward to a long run!"

Have you ever been to India yourself? "Yes, I was sent over there as background research, which was great."

Some people have compared The Far Pavilions to Les Miserables. As you've also starred in that, do you agree with the comparison? "They are alike in that they are both epics, but also in that there are a lot of major characters - neither are shows with just one or two lead roles, so there are all sorts of characters for the audience to identify with and take them into the show."

Have you always specialised in musical theatre? "I have so far, but more through chance than calculation, and I was in a straight play for some time last year - The Shaughraun at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin - which is like their National Theatre. That was a very enjoyable experience, but I love to sing and have always been attracted to musicals..."

Apart from The Far Pavilions, of course, what's your favourite musical? "Jesus Christ, Superstar. It's fabulous. And I'm also a fan of West Side Story, which in a way represents the coming of age of the modern musical - it challenged and changed the way musical theatre was seen."

Would you like to direct it or just star in it? "I might well direct in the future but for now I'm very happy as an actor. There could also be a bit of a problem with directing West Side Story as the estate is very strict about what you can do - as far as I can see they like you to replicate the original production as much as possible. If I were going to do it, I'd want to update it."

You mentioned your enjoyment of singing earlier - have you got a CD? "Not of my own, but we're releasing a CD of The Far Pavilions soon."

Would it be fair to say there aren't really as many tunes as in, say, Les Mis? "Yes, on one level, but that's because the music is so different. When you perform it, and really get to know it, it's very attractive, a very strong score and I think that, as happened with Les Mis, the release of the CD will give the show a great boost - though we're already doing very well - because when people play the music they'll realise how good it is and want to come and see the show."

That's a good plug for that CD, but what about your own? What sort of music would you record on a solo album? "Probably jazz. I love jazz, and Tony Bennett's my hero. I'd also like to do a CD with a big band, to have that level of sound behind me, but I'm sure the process of getting it made would take a while as I'd want to have exactly the right arrangements as well as the right songs."

Are you a dance man, too? "I enjoy dancing, especially on stage, where I can't see myself! There's a great sense of release."

Have you had any royals in to see the show? "Not yet, but Charles and Camilla are coming for a special gala on May 16, and I'm looking forward to that!"

Do you have a favourite theatre restaurant, for after the show? "I like P J's Bar and Grill - it's open late, there's live jazz several nights a week, and unlike Joe Allen's people aren't always trying to spot celebrities coming and going - they just relax and enjoy themselves."

Buy Far Pavilions tickets

By Paul Webb
Thursday May 5