In our profile series Tell Us In Ten, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. This week we’re mixing things up a bit and have not one, but three fabulous performers – all part of to the cast of Mozart: Her Story – The New Musical!
Anthony Rapp (Count Franz von Walsegg), Gabrielle Brooks (Nan Mozart) and Tyrone Huntley (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) share career advice, their proudest moments, and what their colleagues really think of them…
1. My route into theatre was…
Anthony Rapp: A summer camp I attended while my mother worked as the camp nurse. I was 6 and auditioned for the kids’ musical, The Wizard of Oz. I got cast as the Cowardly Lion and was instantly hooked for life!
Gabrielle Brooks: I joined a Saturday drama club as a kid, just for the fun. Not long after joining the head of the club started a child’s acting agency. Having no expectations and thinking it would just be a bit more fun my parents let me join. I didn’t get my first audition but crazily enough I got the second job and it was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s – Whistle Down The Wind in the West End!
Tyrone Huntley: Drama at school followed by drama school.
2. My West End idol is…
AR: Cynthia Erivo.
GB: I don’t think I have an idol but I really admire the work I’ve seen Cush Jumbo do on stage.
TH: Giles Terera.
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
AR: Mostly serious but also surprisingly funny.
GB: Upbeat, a bit silly and a homework nerd.
TH: A joy to be around. The life of the party.
4. My favourite show is…
AR: Hamilton.
GB: Tough. Soooo tough. It always changes. I absolutely loved a show at The Bush I saw called SLEEPOVA. It was brilliant! Bring. It. Back!
TH: Cats.
Shayde Sinclair (Elle), Aliyah Odoffin (Shan), Bukky Bukray (Funmi) and Amber Grappy (Rey) in SLEEPOVA by Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini at Bush Theatre. Photo by Helen Murray.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
AR: Creating the role of Mark Cohen in Jonathan Larson’s landmark rock opera RENT
GB: Being nominated for an Olivier Award will forever blow my mind!
TH: My three-episode arc on EastEnders. #BringBackNathanWood
6. The hardest part about my job is…
AR: Singing in Italian for the first time in my career. Hard but also very fun!
GB: Never being able to commit to plans anywhere in the near or far future and not getting to see family and friends as much as I’d love.
TH: Remembering which wing to enter from/exit to.
7. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
AR: A teacher.
GB: A journalist. I love think pieces, I love learning more about the world and I’m super inquisitive. I applied for quite a few English Literature and writing courses at university at the same time as applying for drama school, but went down this path.
TH: A very unsuccessful lawyer.
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
AR: I’m an avid poker player. Or I was more of an avid poker player before our two sons were born. Now dad duty calls.
GB: I’m a sucker for basketball. Watching it live but also any basketball documentary – I’m hooked. I’m also a history nerd. If you start a sentence with, ‘did you know’ and it ends with some history trivia – I’m in!
TH: The only time I’ve ever been properly star struck was when I met Twiggy when I was 16 because at the time I was obsessed with America’s Next Top Model.
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
AR: The only way out is through.
GB: Everyone is living life for the first time and doing their best. Give them yourself, and them, grace.
TH: Saying no is okay.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
AR: Even when the people who you love are gone from this earth, they will always be with you in your soul.
GB: You have time. Stop worrying so much and be kinder to yourself. Also, invest in a decent phone case.
TH: Stretch daily.
Based on the life of one of the greatest composers of all time, Mozart: Her Story – The New Musical breaks new ground as it marries Mozart’s classics with over twenty contemporary originals by Tegan Summer & Gregory Nabours. Playing for just two performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 16 and 17 November, book your tickets to see this fantastic cast via Official London Theatre.