Ray Quinn | Interview

Georgia Mae Evans

Do you have any rituals or practices you use the day leading up to a show? 

I drive yeah, I park up, check in me hotel, I get in me outfit and I go on stage.

Keeping it simple! Do you have any similarities between yourself and the main character you play, Dan? 

I like being a team leader and heÔÇÖs a happy go lucky chap, out┬áfor adventure, always smiling and making people happy so I guess I can draw some similarities. But itÔÇÖs a completely different era,┬áthe 60ÔÇÖs.

How do you get into character and prepare for your role in rehearsals?  

I chose not to watch the film,┬áÔÇÿcos┬áI didnÔÇÖt want to do a copy and paste version.┬áI worked with the actors,┬áthe creatives, and┬áthe writers and┬áfound a happy place for me to be┬áin my own little┬áspace. We had two and a half weeks of rehearsals in which I had the script and played with the role.

What is your ideal role to play, whether it be a musical, film or tv series? 

IÔÇÖd love to be able to play James Bond,┬áthat would be awesome. IÔÇÖm a big fan of Bond. SevenÔÇÖs┬ámy┬álucky┬ánumber.

Do you have any advice for aspiring actors, singers, dancers or ice skaters? Because you are a quadrupole threat!

Follow your passion.┬áWhen itÔÇÖs been┬átough, the┬ápassions remained for me. Once youÔÇÖve found your passion, just keep driving at it. DonÔÇÖt compare yourself to others.┬áBe┬áyour own goal and strive to that.

I think thatÔÇÖs┬áreally good┬áadvice. So, what’s in store for the future┬áfor you? Any plans to continue with music?┬á┬á

IÔÇÖve spent the past 8/9 years in the West End in different musicals. ItÔÇÖs been a┬áfantastic┬ájourney since leaving X Factor and having the album, but IÔÇÖm going back into the studio. IÔÇÖve been recording,┬ágoing back to my old swing, orchestral days with a more mature head on my shoulders. IÔÇÖm hoping to tour the end of next┬áyear.

You’ve┬ágot a busy few months ahead of you!┬áDo you have any inspirations, if so, who and why do they inspire you?┬á┬á

My inspirations as a child were Gene Kelly and Donnel OÔÇÖConnor because of the way they move, how they danced and command a stage. Sam┬áDavies┬áJunior┬áwould command the stage and be the jack of all trades. My mum has been a real driving force behind me ever since I was a kid. She pushed me in the right direction – I owe all┬áIÔÇÖve┬ágot to my mum.

Despite having been on stage since the beginning of your career do you still get stage fright or nervous before opening night?  

ThereÔÇÖs always nerves on opening night. Anything that you build up to, you prepare [for]. IÔÇÖve always been told by my dad, ÔÇ£fail to prepare, prepare to failÔÇØ.┬á┬áOnce you get to that point and you┬áhave to┬ájump, there are always those jittery nerves.┬áOnce IÔÇÖm comfortable with something I can go out and enjoy my performance.

┬áAre there any weird/ interesting facts about yourself that most people┬áwouldnÔÇÖt┬áknow?┬á┬á

I ride lots of bikes. Motorbikes ÔÇô not cycling. Erm, I like tomatoes? In the summer I like to eat peeled tomatoes out of a tin with salt on.

Do you find there are any differences between performing live and recording for a tv show?   

On stage youÔÇÖre getting a live reaction whereas on the TV screen you donÔÇÖt see the reaction. You do your performance as best you┬ácan,┬áand you can only anticipate what the public think. I love the live version, ÔÇÿcos youÔÇÖve only got one chance to get a good performance out. TV, you can get as many chances as you want. [But] you always like to be, as an actor, a bit of a one trick wonder.┬áI wouldnÔÇÖt say I prefer either one ÔÇÿcos I think theyÔÇÖre different disciplines.

Good luck for the rest of the tour!