‘Squidward is nothing like me – that’s why I love playing him’
Gareth Gates, who shot to fame in 2002 on Pop Idol, is headed for the Millennium Centre stage with The SpongeBob Musical. Ahead of the show’s run in Cardiff, he talks about his return to musical theatre, the challenges of touring life and acting against t
GARETH Gates first came to prominence on reality show Pop Idol in 2002. Despite coming runner-up in a closely fought contest with eventual winner Will Young, he went on to carve out an extremely successful pop career. Over the years, he has sold more than five million records. But, more than two decades later, he has built a successful career as a stage performer. What many won’t know, is that this represents a return to his roots for the star.
“The first thing I ever did was perform in The King and I at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford at the age of five,” says the 38-year-old.
“And then, at the age of eight, I played a leading role in a school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which is when I discovered I could sing.”
It was a surprisingly prescient role for the young actor who would return to the hugely popular musical years later. “In 2009, I had an audition with Andrew Lloyd Webber himself who offered me the leading role of Joseph in the West End,” he recalled. “This then led onto me playing Marius in the brand-new 25th Anniversary of Les Misérables, then the same role in the West End version alongside Samantha Barks and [ P e n - tyrch singer and musical theatre actress, model and former X Factor contestant] Lucie Jones.
“I’ve also been lucky enough to tour the UK in Footloose and Legally Blonde.
It’s been an incredible journey throughout my whole life really, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities. The transition from pop music to theatre was actually quite natural as this is where it all really began for me.”
Having built such an extensive repertoire brings with it its own challenges, of course, such as life on the road.
But it’s something he still relishes, as he tours in the role of Squidward with The SpongeBob Musical, which comes to the Wales Millennium Centre from June 6 to 10.
“I absolutely love touring,” he said.
“You get to take this piece of work that you have worked so hard on, with such a wonderful team of people and introduce it to lots of different parts of the country.
“The show really is for the entire family. The vibrant aesthetics of the show really will appeal to the kids as well as it’s infectious energy.
“Whilst the music and scripts will really draw in all of the adults in the audience, especially if you loved SpongeBob when you were younger!”
The SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon series quickly become a cult favourite after it first aired on Nickelodeon in 1999, introducing us to SpongeBob’s odd underwater world.
Known for its madcap humour, surreal interludes and psychadelic characters, and its infectious theme tune: “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants! Absorbent and yellow and porous is he? SpongeBob SquarePants...” it won legions of fans.
So how difficult was it for Gates – who made a name for himself with his young exuberance as a teenager on Pop Idol – to play Squidward, a character known for his somewhat
gloomy outlook on life?
“He is absolutely nothing like me, but that’s why I love playing the role so much,” he says.
“We are each so different in our outlook on life that escaping into his character is a really enjoyable change!
“What’s really been fun about him is that he tap-dances, and I’ve never tapped in my life.
“I had three lessons before rehearsal started, and so they threw me straight in the deep end, pardon the pun. However, I’m really thrilled to have learnt a brand-new skill.”
He adds: “My costume looks amazing, and I seem to have acquired two extra legs! As if tap dancing with two wasn’t hard enough, now I have another pair to contend with!”
Thanks to his family, the cartoon version of the show was something he was familiar with.
“I have a daughter who is 13, and she used to watch it when she was little and so I was very aware of it, and I’ve always loved its humour,” he says.
The stage musical version, meanwhile, tells of a volcano under the sea which is about to erupt and completely destroy the town of Bikini Bottom.
SpongeBob is the only citizen who remains optimistic about the survival of their little community.
In the face of adversity, the people of Bikini Bottom work together to try and save the day.
Opening to critical acclaim, it played Broadway received 12 Tony Award nominations in 2018.
It includes original songs by some incredible artists including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Panic! At The Disco, John Legend and Sara Bareilles.
Gates says: “The line-up of composers for this show is mind-blowing. My favourite song to perform is my big number at the end of act two. It’s called I’m Not a Loser.
“It’s very typical of a Broadway hit, think 42nd Street meets Chicago. And I get to be the centre of it all!”
As he continues to tour the UK, meanwhile, what advice has stood him in good stead and stuck with him?
“Everyone I’ve ever spoken to that has been successful in their life as always mentioned work ethic. Eight shows a week is tough, and you’ve really got to be cut out for it to make it in this industry. The more you challenge yourself, the more you’ll achieve.”
The SpongeBob Musical is at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, from June 6 to 10. To find out more, visit www.wmc.org.uk