COLM Wilkinson is a direct sort of chap. He has done his thinking, 40 years into a career that dazzles on stage and on screen as one of the ‘five greatest voices in the world’ (nod to Rolling Stone magazine). His over-arching view of what counts is worth the listen.
He comes to UCH on Thursday June 13, Friday 14 with his ‘Bring Him Home’ tour, hot on ‘Les Miserables’ many awards. Having played Jean Valjean on stage for 28 years, the Irish man played the Bishop of Digne in the film opposite Hugh Jackman’s Valjean. Watch his Bishop for the depth of tone and emotionality he gives the holy man’s role, one that he won out over far bigger Hollywood names due to this status in live theatre.
“I always loved the Bishop’s part, felt that he was the pivotal thing in Valjean’s live. He was a huge catalyst,” Colm told Arts page. “This was an opportunity I could not pass up. I have to give 10 out of 10 to director Tom Hooper and those guys, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Eddie Remayne for their work. I watched Hugh do 10 takes to the prologue, the opening piece [a flood-soused parting of present with past – RR}.
“He and I shared a driver who told me Hugh would finish a take at 12 midnight, be up and hit the gym at 3.30am, be on set by 6am.
“I saw how hard Eddie Remayne worked – he’s a really, really lovely guy, and the cast was so welcoming to me. I met Anne Hathaway first when she came over to me with a huge hug and I did not recognise here with the short urchin cut. Working on the film was a great experience”.
This Dubliner is a realist about success and survival. Scroll back a few decades to playing ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar’ in London and his buddy Luke Kelly coming over to play.
“I had to give it up,” says Wilkinson of the late nights in Ronnie Scotts pursued by Kelly, of whom he was hugely fond. (Cigarettes were binned as a late teen) “The minute you go on stage you have to gauge your energy level, you’ll know the vocal level required. The thing about being in musicals, consistently and with longevity is to do the job well. Have respect for the people around you, be dependable, hitting a standard that people want to hear, every time”.
That privilege is ours in the concert hall this Thursday 13, 8 and Friday 14, 8pm when Colm Wilkinson and band are joined by guest singers. While you can get a ticket to this likeable, singing, storytelling legend, get that ticket: www.uch.ie
