Interview: From stage to the director’s chairman – Todrick Hall brings burlesque to life in London

Few artists embodies the spirit of reinfall and showmanship gill Cooling hall. From his viral Youtube creations to Broadway Stints and Chart-top albums, Hall has built a career on dazzling audience with its bold artistry, oapologetic stories and style by spectacle. Now he takes the same energy to West End when he takes the center Burlesque the Musical -A glittering new production inspired by the cult favorite film.

Insert New York CityThe Burlesque Follows Ali (Jess Folley)A small city girl with big dreams, who discovers a dazzling but struggles a nightclub where she hopes to find her place on stage. When she struggles for her chance to shine, she reveals secrets about her past – including a search for her birth moon – when navigating hard rivalry, romance and the high efforts in the show industry. Mixing power songs, dazzling choreography and heart, it is a story about ambition, identity and finding family in unexpected places.

We sat down with Todrick to talk about going into this glittering world, the joy of live performances, embrace new challenges and what he hopes will be the show lasting heritage …

Todrick, Burlesque the Musical Is well and really thriving here at Savoy Theater, congratulations! Talk to me about your west end summer so far …

Thank you very much! I have honestly spoken such a big summer so far – London is one of my favorite cities; I absolutely love it here. The last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind, but I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve met so many amazing people, and … listen, I get to perform in this incredible show every night so I have no complaints, I’m very happy.

You direct, choreograph and even appear in this new production of the show – how do you balance this responsibility without losing focus on any element?

Well, I will not lie to you and say that it has been easy to find that balance because it does not (laugh), but is that all part of the theater’s excitement? When you assume more than a role in a production, it will not get away from the fact that you must be at the top of your game and militant in all your planning and implementation. If we talk straight facts, I will speak the truth and say that we did not have a huge time to put together this show, the schedule was tight and we had some things that worked against us, but I work well under pressure and can remain focused even when I have to spin a million and another plates in the air. Did we bite more than we could chew? Maybe … but we got there in the end, and I think we have created something really magical. And I say “we” because this has really been a team effort. The people you see on stage, the people who work behind the scenes, the musicians, they are the ones who have made all this happen.

When the offer came in to take more of a creative role, you said an instant ‘yes’ Or did you have to take a minute to think about if it was something you really wanted to do at this time in your career?

It was definitely an immediate and simple “yes”, for many reasons, but mainly because at the beginning of this year I made a promise to myself that I would only take on new opportunities and challenges that scared me. To survive in this industry, you have to grow and develop with the times, and although I have been very happy in my career to have performed in a number of different Broadway musicals and West End show, I have never had the chance to completely direct or choreograph a production that was not my own. So when this idea was set to me, I knew I couldn’t say no, because I knew it would be something that would drive me out of my comfort zone and to a new territory that I longed to explore.

Now you lead both actor creatively and stand alongside them on stage, how do you switch between being a visionary and being a partner?

Ooh, that’s an interesting question. I think you must have a clear understanding of what every role requires and learn to distinguish between the two without ever blurred lines, so that your role and crew never feel confused about what it is you are trying to achieve on a given day. I guess it’s about communication and having an open dialogue with all the people you work with.

What is your process to turn a spark of inspiration into something tangible on stage?

Hard work, it’s as simple as that! You can have all ideas in the world, and you can talk a big conversation in planning and production meetings, but if you are not willing to show up on day one of the repetitions, ready to go out to ensure that these ideas come to life, then it really makes no sense to show up at all.

How do you balance to stay believed to your creative vision with the practical realities of the theater?

In my own work I am someone who likes to drive boundaries and take big swings – I never like to play it safely. Anytime I’ve created a Youtube video, a visual album or thought creative for a live performance, I throw everything I have on it. In my mind there are no limits, I will give everything to do it all it can be. But since theater is another beast, and there are more moving parts to think about, you have to be more realistic in your thinking. So it is about teamwork, conversation, collaboration and thinking outside the box. You can’t always do something exactly that you had originally imagined, but you can get pretty close.

Finding the positive in it, facing challenges and trying to overcome all obstacles must drive you to become more innovative in your thinking, which is certainly not a bad thing?

It’s not a bad thing at all, I couldn’t agree more. However, I have to say that the team that works with this show has been incredible, and they have said “yes” to almost all the ideas I have had. Our corporate meal has always been: “Who cares about what people say, let’s just do it!” Which makes it so fun to get to work, because it unites us and enables us to create art in the most liberating way.

There is a clear and obvious bond between you and the rest of the role …

Oh, we have all each other’s back no matter what! I feel so supported and protected by each of the actors, both on stage and off the stage. I can’t thank them enough for all the commitment, and the heart they have added to this show.

Away from Burlesque Lounge, how have you spent your time this summer?

(Laughs) This is so much fun, because people often ask me what I do for fun, and as much as I want to say: “Oh I go to the club” or “I go to dinner with my friends”, the truth is that I go to the theater … or maybe Disneyland (laughs). Honestly, there is nothing I love more than theater. I promise you, I don’t exaggerate when I say I’ve seen between 700 and 1000 musicals in my life – I’m obsessed! The theater community inspires me, it gives me an opportunity to escape. If I ever find myself with a free day and nothing to do, there is nothing I love more than seeing a show and losing myself in a story.

Have you been to check out any other West End -Show?

Yes, I recently went to see “the curious case with the Benjamin button” at the Ambassadors Theater and was blown away. I think it’s my new favorite program, because it forces you to open your mind, think and convert what you know is the truth.

Theater that provokes the idea? We love to see it!

Right! And not just that, but a sense of escapism too! When you go to see a show you are forced to turn off and forget the world, even if only for a couple of hours, which I think is extremely important, especially in the current climate, where we are all so busy and when you are around the clock-spring life, we do not have a minute to breathe! Even in our downtime, we are on our phones, browse and consume all types of scary news … Isn’t it healthy, right?