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Interview
Hugo Harold Harrison
West End long runner Fame celebrated its tenth anniversary last Monday with a special performances attended by many previous cast members. I asked current star Hugo Harold Harrison, who plays Nick, what the atmosphere was like.A: It was electric back stage. It was really great for the show to be back in the spotlight again and to play it to an audience who really know it well and love every minute.
Q: It must have been a bit nerve racking to play your Nick to other actors who who've appeared in the role.
A: It was, but exciting too. Everyone was really encouraging and complimentary which meant a lot to me. It was great to meet Richard Dempsey who played my part originally.
Q: How long have you been playing Nick?
A: This is my second year but I'm leaving in September. I absolutely love it and I want to go out on a high whilst I'm still enjoying it.
Q: For many people Nick's the emotional core of the piece.
A: Well, there are several other main characters too but his journey does seem to strike a chord with people. When he arrives at the New York High School of the Performing Arts at the beginning of the show the world is very alien to him and I think the audience warm to it as he does. He makes a real journey through the play from initial suspicion at the party atmosphere around him to having a great time and falling in love himself. I really enjoy the fact that I get to go from first year to graduation every night.
Q: Why is Fame such a hit? Critics have often been very dismissive of it.
A: It's just a really feel good show that everyone can enjoy. It's particularly popular with young tourists because the logo is something they immediately recognize when they get to London, and it's a dance heavy piece so you don't need perfect English to enjoy it. Most of the characters are in their late teens too.
Q: I think it's fair to say that people with fond memories of the film and TV show are often disappointed not to hear their favorite songs and by the way the original characters have been watered down.
A: Maybe but there's a new generation of kids who don't remember much about Fame in the eighties and who just take the show at face value. For them our Fame is the only one they know and they love it. And you do get to hear the famous title song.
Q: And of course you've got a build in standing ovation every single night.
A: The Fame mega mix. Yep, we get everyone up on their feet for that. It means everyone leaves the theatre on a high. The cast too.
Q: You've rather an exotic family background.
A: Well my mum is French and my dad, though English was from Mauritius. To make things even more complicated I went to the American school in Belgium. I trained over here at the Guildford School of Acting.
Q: On the musical theatre course?
A: No actually I took a degree in acting.
Q: So what are your plans after Fame? Do you fancy doing a play next?
A: I'd love to too but I am crazy about musicals. I'd love to go into something like Mamma Mia. Although actors have to be careful not to get pigeon holed as musical performers. It's very difficult to get casting directors to consider you for a play or television if you've got too many shows on your CV.
Q: Where do you hang out after the show?
A: The usual places - Joe Allen's, Teatros but I also love Indian food and my parents and I like to search out the best Indian restaurants.
Q: How do you spend your days?
A: Well the La Fitness centre is right next to the Aldwych Theatre where Fame's playing so I'm a regular there but I've also just organized wireless connection for my laptop and I love just sitting in Starbucks and surfing so I'm looking forward to reading this.
By Phill Willmott
Thursday June 30
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