ANYONE who has been watching ITV’s latest reality music show Popstar to Operastar will realise that belting out arias is an extremely impressive skill, and one that does not come naturally to everybody, whether they perform to sold-out crowds as part of a rock band or a pop band.
And yet when four young men, barely out of their teens, stood in the final of the X Factor, performing a rousing operatic version of Bohemian Rhapsody, they made it seem effortless.
Now, the frontman of that group, G4, Jonathan Ansell, has made the leap from opera to musical theatre, appearing in the Lloyd Webber modern classic Whistle Down the Wind, which comes to HM Theatre, Aberdeen, next week.
Since coming second in the reality show, Ansell has enjoyed success as part of G4, who had platinum albums and four sellout tours, and as a solo artist, becoming the youngest tenor to have a top-10 album.
Although he started out his career in choirs, musical theatre has always been a love of Jonathan’s.
“I remember going to see Blood Brothers when I was at school and being blown away,” he said.
“I had done mainly choir singing before that, but seeing musical theatre opened my eyes. Until now, I haven’t done that much theatre work, but I own a ridiculous number of musical soundtracks. I love the whole experience of going to the theatre; I find it very exciting, getting settled in your seat with a little tub of ice cream and just losing yourself for a few hours. To be on the stage now and be a part of the cast is amazing. I’ve always wanted to be up there, and what a fantastic show to be in.”
Whistle Down the Wind tells the story of a young girl called Swallow who finds a man hiding in her barn. Shocked to be found, he blurts out “Jesus Christ”, and Swallow automatically assumes this man is Christ. However, the town are on the hunt for an escaped murderer, and when they discover that Swallow is hiding the man in her barn, a battle ensues which sees Swallow defending “Jesus”, as he tries to explain that he isn’t who she thinks he is.
“It’s quite a dark musical, and yet somehow it’s very uplifting, too,” said Jonathan, who plays the man.
“It revolves around a community in the southern states of the US who are in despair, yet Swallow and a group of children are looking after a man who is potentially dangerous, and protecting him. The man somehow becomes quite likeable, though. He’s an endearing convict, if that makes any sense.
“I always loved the idea of playing someone very different from myself, and this role provided the perfect opportunity. I can honestly say I’ve never killed anyone. It’s great to be a different person for a few hours each day; it gives you the opportunity to do things on stage that you couldn’t do otherwise. I’m normally quite polished-looking when I’m performing, but in this I have long hair, a beard and I’m really quite grubby. It’s a challenge and it’s exhilarating.
“In one scene in which I sing a song called Nature of the Beast – where I’m trying to explain to Swallow that I’m not Jesus, I’m a man who has killed and could kill again – I get to be very dramatic and energetic. It’s extreme emotional, and very draining, but I absolutely love it.”
Whistle Down the Wind is recognised universally as the musical which brought the song No Matter What to the public’s attention when it was recorded by Boyzone in 1998. Jonathan says the moment when the children sing this song now has added poignancy.
“It’s such a beautiful song, and now that Stephen Gately’s gone it’s a very emotional number,” he said.
“He sang it so beautifully, and I sang it with him at the Royal Albert Hall, so it is quite hard for me to listen to. In some ways, it’s a nice tribute to him, though.”
Jonathan is now performing eight shows a week on tour with Whistle Down the Wind, which is exhausting. However, he is thankful for the opportunity, which he says is all thanks to performing on the X Factor.
“I’ll never regret picking up the phone and entering the show; it has opened so many doors for me,” he said.
“I know that some people regret it and it can take their careers back a step, but I feel very thankful for the experience. I did it with a bunch of mates; we had a great time, and it has given us all many opportunities we wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’ve had a level of success with music, and I’m grateful for that. I’ve always been conscious not to pigeonhole myself, though, and now doing this show I have another string to my bow.”
Even although he is known for his operatic voice, Jonathan said he managed the transition to musicals quite easily.
“I’m only 27, but I’m playing a man who is 37, which could be difficult to believe normally,” he said.
“But because of opera, I have a rich tone to my voice which has added depth and it has made this role believable.
“It has been tiring, but I’m lucky that my voice is quite tough. I’ve never been one of these singers who won’t go near people who smoke, or air conditioning or anything. I always maintain a level of abuse and it seems to have given my voice resilience, so I can still really push myself in every show.”
This first step into musical theatre is hopefully the start of a new direction for Jonathan, and he plans to be around for a long time to come.
“I love what I’m doing at the moment, and I hope to take many more musical roles,” he said.
“Les Miserables is my all-time favourite, and to get a part in it is a lifelong dream. I do want to go back into opera, but I’m very young for it. Opera is known for featuring older, more mature singers, and it would seem strange putting me in the lead of an opera when I’m still so young.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll continue the Jesus theme and try my hand at Jesus Christ Superstar next. I’ve already got the hair and the beard.”
Whistle Down the Wind plays at HM Theatre, Aberdeen, from next Monday, February 8, to Saturday, February 13. For tickets or more information call 01224 641122 or visit www.boxofficeaberdeen.com