‘The Queen has a little cheekiness about her’
Singing legends Alfie Boe and Sarah Brightman chat about how they are celebrating our monarch by releasing a new version of the national anthem
With the Platinum Jubilee celebrations under way, Alfie Boe and Sarah Brightman are hoping to gain one more accolade for the Queen – getting her to No1 in the charts with their rendition of God Save The Queen, which also features the NHS Voices of Care Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The pair have never duetted before but say their voices complement each other so well it may lead to more collaborations.
Alfie, 48, who has played Jean Valjean in Les Misérables both in the West End and on Broadway, is fresh from his stint in reality show Freeze The Fear With Wim Hof and will be performing in Las Vegas over the jubilee weekend. And Sarah, 61, who launched the role of Christine Daaé in The Phantom Of The Opera in the West End in 1986 and went on to receive more than 180 gold and platinum sales awards in more than 40 countries, will be enjoying a street party with her family.
Here, the duo talk about their memories of meeting the Queen and why it’s such an important time to celebrate...
Hi, guys! So, you’re trying to get the Queen to No1?
Alfie: Yes! She’s not had a No1 hit so it would be a great pinnacle. She can put the trophy on her mantelpiece at Windsor. It’s a complete honour – I’m a huge supporter of the royal family and jump at any chance to show them gratitude. I was a scholar at the Royal College of Music for the Prince’s Trust, so it’s a way of repaying my debt. I’d never worked with Sarah before, so all the stars were aligned. Sarah: Our voices work so well together, too. Also, most of the proceeds will go to one the Queen’s favourite charities, which is the British Red Cross. And with the world as it is, specifically with the conflict in Ukraine, it’s a great opportunity to help.
Are you very patriotic?
Alfie: I am but I think everybody becomes patriotic at a celebration like this – it unites the nation. I performed at Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and seeing everyone come together at that moment was spectacular.
Sarah: We’re so lucky to have had this particular monarch ruling. My father was at the Queen’s coronation on The Mall and she’s still reigning. She’s such an amazing woman and it’s a real pleasure for us to be doing our little bit to thank her for being there.
What’s been your most memorable occasion meeting the Queen?
Alfie: I’ve met Her
Majesty on numerous occasions but one of my most memorable was for her 90th birthday. It was decided that I’d sing A Nightingale Sang
In Berkeley Square because she was born there and I was told it was one of her favourites, but
I wondered if it was a bit overdone. Then when I met Her Majesty before the concert, I told her what I was singing and she said, “How predictable!” She has a little cheekiness about her and her feet are firmly on the ground, despite all she’s done.
Sarah: There’s a real naturalness about her. Mine was the first time I met her, standing in line after my ex-husband [Andrew Lloyd Webber] had put on a special charity performance of Starlight Express, which she came to. We had only got married that day and when I did my curtsy, she lifted one eyebrow with the twinkliest eye and said, “So you got married today!” Somebody had told her and she was very lovely.
Have you looked up to Sarah, Alfie, as one of the pioneers of classical pop?
Alfie: She’s quite the superstar and part of a wonderful piece of history with Phantom and her own individual work as well. I’m very honoured to be able to sing with her.
Sarah: That’s lovely for you to say – I never feel that way. I’ve been doing this for so long but I still feel like I’m 18, doing my practising.
Alfie: We have more in common than I realised. We both come from large families – I’m the youngest of nine kids, Sarah’s the eldest of six. I’ve played a few shows on Broadway and do concerts over there. My ex and two kids are there, so I spend a lot of time in the US. I’m starting a Vegas residency in June and Sarah is later this year.
Sarah: Yes, my partner is American and it’s been my second home since I was about 18. I am being given my own Hollywood star on the Walk of Fame soon, which is quite fun.
What do your families think about your fame and success?
Alfie: They’re still waiting for me to get a proper job! I was always trying to vie for attention in a family of nine, pretending a tennis racket was a guitar. When I joined an amateur operatic society, I got hooked on it. I think they’re proud of me. If they can be bothered to switch off the TV, they’ll come and see me in concert. Sarah: My family have really followed what I’ve done, right from the beginning. I was born in 1960 and all my mum’s friends would say, “Why are you letting
your daughter do this?” My mother said, “No, she has a very special talent.” My sister works with me, a brother helps me too and another sister is a singer herself, so it’s a very theatrical family.
Will you do more singing together?
Sarah: Alfie’s a very busy lad. I take it a bit more easy these days because I’ve done it all. It’s keeping up with Alfie really and finding gaps in his schedule. Our voices match, which is really lovely because you never know if they will.
Alfie: When it works, you can’t ignore it. It really inspires you to go on further and do more – so if the opportunity was there, why not? I’m really excited to be singing with Sarah. We’ve been on the same bill at shows, so I’m thrilled that we’ve had this opportunity. A rapport is important – me and Michael Ball have a great rapport and I think Sarah and I do, too.
Have you been watching Alfie in
Sarah?
Freeze The Fear With Wim Hof,
Sarah: No, I’ve been asking him about it and it sounds amazing. It’s quite spiritual having to overcome all sorts of things in your head while you’re trying to do something physical, so I have huge admiration. I couldn’t do any reality show. Not now – maybe when I was younger. Alfie: The cold therapy is an amazing thing. Wim Hof’s breathing method is so intense – it really has helped me get through a number of challenges in my life. I’m in a place now where I feel positive. Touring and being away from loved ones is tough but it’s helped me find coping mechanisms. The past couple of years have been traumatic for a lot of people, losing family members and friends. And the jubilee is a time we can remember, celebrate lives, move forward and try to grow again as a country.