Stephen news 5/1Boyzone Boy Goes Technicolour! Boyzone star Stephen Gately makes his theatrical debut this month in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Duncan Free caught up with him as he prepared to start rehearsals... What attracted you to the role of Joseph? SG: I've been offered a couple of musicals in the past, but I didn't think they were the right kind of vehicle for me. Joseph is different though. I know it's hard to believe but I've never actually seen the show! But I love the songs, and I've always wanted to play the part. I just didn't think the chance would come around as quickly as it has. What prompted you to move from the music world into the theatre? SG: I think it's something I've been looking to get into for some time now. It's a brand new challenge for me, and one which I'm relishing. I'm nervous, of course, but in a positive kind of way.
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Do you fancy getting into the realms of straight acting? The role of James Bond could be available in a few years' time!.. SG: God, I can't see myself as James Bond, for heaven's sake! I may like the gadgets as much as Bond but I think I'd be found lacking in various other areas! So after all the success you've enjoyed, how do you look back on your time with Boyzone? SG: With great affection. It was an absolutely incredible time for me and I regard myself as having been very lucky indeed. I had a great time, made a lot of money and met some amazing people. Were you surprised by the band's success? SG: Of course, to a degree. But then, I think we gelled together well, had a little bit of luck, and produced music that really seemed to strike a chord with people. I think, as well, that we always showed our regard for our fans, and that's so important in this business. How do you all get along nowadays? SG: Keith's my best mate, and I see a fair bit of the others too - except Ronan. I haven't seen Ronan for a very long time. There was certainly a lot of ill-feeling between him and the rest of the boys after we announced our intention to have a year off from being Boyzone. We should've got back together then, but Ronan decided to go his own way. Was it a big step to 'come out' and admit you are gay? SG: Yes, it was, but I didn't really have any choice. Somebody was going to sell the story to the newspapers, and I think that making money by that means is beneath contempt. So I decided to come out, to stop them from making any money out of the story. Has your 'revelation' had any kind of effect on your career? SG: No, not at all. I think that as long as you're pleasant and polite and don't hurt anybody, most people have a live-and-let-live attitude. And it certainly hasn't had any kind of adverse effect on how I'm perceived. I switched on the Christmas lights in Liverpool recently, and there were ten thousand people there to see me do it. So I don't think it's been too bad, really. Do you have any particularly memorable career moments? SG: Too many to mention! As I said, I've been very lucky. I suppose for me the highlight has been winning awards from the public. It means so much when people vote for you. Any plans after Joseph? SG: No, none at all. Joseph is a six-month tour, so that takes me into the middle of next year. After that, I guess I'll be looking for more acting work and also returning to the recording studio. I'll just be looking to do more of the same really, and hope that it allows me to develop my career as I go. Stephen Gately appears in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool, from 16 December to 11 January. For tickets, ring 0870 606 3536. |
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