As he prepares to bring the hit musical Rock of Ages to Oxford former Hear’say star Noel Sullivan tells Katherine MacAlister how he went about reinventing himself on stage

Last year when I came to Oxford I was a rock star by day and a drag queen by night,” Noel Sullivan remembers before expanding. “We were rehearsing Rock of Ages while starring in Priscilla, Queen of The Desert.”

It was 2008 when we last spoke however and Noel’s life was much more unsure. About to embark on his first lead role in Flashdance he was desperate to prove himself, having just relaunched his career following the collapse of pop band Hear’say, needing to show he was more than a one-trick pony.

But with multiple musical theatre roles tucked under his wing, he has finally silenced his critics with a string of hits, including Fame and Grease. “I’ve been getting the roles I’ve always wanted so it’s going well,” he confirms. “Although the hilarious thing is that people keep coming up to me after the show and saying ‘you can really sing’,” he laughs. “What did they think I was doing before?”

Not many people can stomach eight shows a week, year in year out though, meaning that only the real professionals can keep up with the pace of musical theatre.

“Well, there’s nowhere to hide on stage but I’ve had 13 years of training now, so I feel I’ve earned the respect of my peers in the industry. And yes, some people put celebrities in musicals to get bums on seats but I have delivered, so it’s nice that people have started to notice, even if it has taken over a decade to reinvent myself,” he laughs. “And now I’m leading the cast, which has its own responsibilities.”

Like what? “Ironing out any issues, boosting morale, but to be honest with Rock Of Ages that’s not hard.”

Touring the musical straight from the West End, with the original set, the plot is based around a rock star trying to make it in LA, with a love story thrown in for good measure. “It pokes fun at the juke box musical but it’s not for children. It’s quite risque,” Noel explains.

“People sing along and we get a standing ovation every night. You never get used to 2,000 people screaming at you, but I’m a big show off so never take it for granted,” the 34-year-old smiles.

Noel is in his home town of Cardiff when we speak, preparing to go on stage and then popping home again afterwards for a roast dinner. He’s not worried about hecklers because the music drowns them all out, and in general, he says, the tour so far has been “epic”.

He does however get recognised everywhere he goes, his Hear’say fame always preceding him, everyone in Cardiff proud that one of theirs has become such a big musical star.

“I’m sure there’s an easier path because it’s hard work, but then I look back to when I was 20 and the rope was pulled out from under me. By 21 I thought my career was all over,” he says, reminsicing about the end of Hear’say. “There’s lots of talk actually about a big reunion but I don’t see the need. I’m still doing what I love and it’s taken me a long time to get here.”

So what next? “I’d like to do some new pieces, a part to make my own, a bit of TV, to expand my CV, but I’m tired. I’m ready for a holiday, so I’m going to Marrakesh. There’s a hammock there with my name on it,” he laughs. “But I was always going to be a singer, wasn’t I?” he concludes. “I’m Welsh. It’s what we do.”

SEE IT
Rock of Ages The Musical comes to Oxford’s New Theatre from October 21–25. 
Call the box office on 0844 871 3020 or see atgtickets.com/oxford

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