Can you tell us about your role at Opera Holland Park?
I will be singing the role of Nathaniel Flowerdew, who is the antagonist of this piece. He is an ambitious scientist who believes he is wasted on teaching ‘rotten snotty kids’ at a school. Determined to control the new element that Itch discovers, he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals!
What are you most looking forward to about this role?
I’m most looking forward to exploring the balance between Flowerdew’s comical arrogance and his dangerous, criminal personality. This role offers the chance to explore both his humorous and sinister sides.
You’re playing Nathaniel Flowerdew, the villain of the story. Do you prefer playing a villain rather than the hero?
Having played one or two villains before, I must say it is rather fun. Villains can have more layers and contradictions to explore. I like to try and make them relatable, I think the key in this is finding the moments where their vulnerability or comedy can really get the audience behind you!
Itch follows a fourteen-year-old obsessed with collecting elements from the Periodic Table. Do you have a quirky or niche interest like Itch?
Yes, many! To name a couple: I play and study a lot of Chess and I like Washed Ethiopian coffees a lot.
Do you have any dream roles you haven’t performed yet that you’d like to in future?
Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Eugene Onegin, Marcello in La Bohéme… There is quite a list!
What’s one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, that has stayed with you?
A) Masaako Suzuki once told me not to go to Itsu because they put too many noodles in the pot.
B) Never play F3/F6 in Chess.
C) Everything is a triplet in song six of Winterreise.
Interview by Holly Bancroft
