Comment

First things first - tell us about Godspell?

It's based on the Gospel according to St Matthew, but it's updated in that it brings in certain aspects of what's happening in the world now. It features biblical characters and I play Jesus. It's got loads of great songs which people will recognise, Day by Day which was a huge hit and Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord and it's quite rocky so it's different for me, which is why I wanted to get involved in it. It's going to be a great challenge.

How did you land the role?

I was asked to do it and initially I didn't think I was going to be free. But it's such a great show that I really wanted to do it and in the end it all worked out thankfully.

How do you prepare for going on tour?

I read the script over and over and over and I make sure that I understand it 100 per cent. Then I learn how to deliver the lines, as they should be, in terms of what emotions are behind them. It's so different singing musical songs to being in Boyzone and singing pop songs, but that's why I love it.

What do you enjoy most about travelling around the country when you're performing?

Staying in nice hotels, seeing great cities, finding great restaurants and seeing friends. I've got friends in Glasgow and Manchester and some other places so it will be fun to catch up with them on this tour.

What do you miss when you're on the road?

I really miss my home because I love my house. And I miss my Shitsu Bentley. I'm lucky because a lot of family and friends come and visit me while I'm away, which is always lovely.

Do you party a lot when you're on tour?

I'll always go out during rehearsals because it's a great way to get to know the cast - I think it's important to vibe with them. But generally I have to be really professional when I have a show the next day because being on stage can be really demanding. But it's fine to go out the night before a day off because it doesn't matter if you have a hangover!

What made you decide to go into musicals initially?

I studied acting before I joined Boyzone and I've always wanted to get back into it, so combining singing and acting in musicals is the perfect thing for me.

Some people were surprised when you played the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, weren't they?

Definitely, but I wanted to do something that people weren't expecting of me. Everyone saw me as the cute one from Boyzone and I wanted to prove that I could play evil. I did the show for six months and I loved it.

What's been the highlight of your theatre career to date?

I did a community production of The Wizard of Oz in Canterbury playing the Scarecrow. There were 75 people on stage each night and it was such a great team. I had such a laugh. I did Cinderella in Bromley as well which was really fun, and I loved doing The Play What I Wrote in London. The show was never the same twice and you always had a good time.

Who have you enjoyed working with acting wise?

Christopher Biggins. He's such a laugh and really cheeky. We did Chitty Chitty Bang Bang together and he had this amazing dressing room next to mine that was decorated like a French Boudoir, and we used to have tea in there during the interval. He'd always try and make me laugh on stage as well. He was very naughty.

Having played Joseph in the past, what did you think of Any Dream Will Do?

I think Lee is going to be really good, but I'm not 100 per cent sure about him even though he has a great voice. I thought Ben was really cute and he could have played the role with a lot of innocence. And I liked Craig too, but he has the looks but not the voice. I think overall those kind of shows are a really good way for actors who have been on the scene for years to get their break.

Have you ever had any on-stage nightmares?

Yes! When I was in playing the Child Catcher I used to get pulled up in the air in a net at the end of the show each night, but one night something went wrong and I was suspended in mid-air. I had to wait until the audience left until someone could get me down. Luckily the audience thought it was part of the show. I also really hurt my head on a plastic palm tree when I was playing Joseph. I knocked into it and I had to have six stitches. I had blood dripping down my face for most of the first act, but I just had to get on with it!

There are loads of rumours about Boyzone getting back together what can you tell us?

Well we are all very busy with other projects at the moment, but we do keep in touch and It's certainly something we have talked about and I'd love it to happen, so at this stage I think I can safely say, 'never say never'.

Stephen Gately stars in Godspell at The Palace Theatre, Manchester, from September 24 to September 29. Tickets cost £10-£25 and are available from www.palaceandoperahouse.org or by ringing 0870 401 3000.

Comment

As he prepares for the lead role in hit musical Godspell, Stephen Gately speaks to Lindsay Jennings about a possible Boyzone reunion and why he may end up with a different career - as the next JK Rowling

AS the door to the somewhat stark dressing room opens, the effervescent Stephen Gately leaps up from his chair, hand outstretched. "How are you?," he says, blue eyes shining beneath his red baseball cap, handshake solid. "Can I get you a coffee? Would you like some water?"

He grabs a chair. "Take a seat," he proffers. The words come tumbling out in his soft, Irish brogue, the speed of his delivery, perhaps, an indication of nerves.

Stephen, 31, was always regarded as the 'sweet one' out of chart topping band Boyzone. At Sunderland's Empire Theatre to publicise his role in the stage musical Godspell, he is as warm and genuine as you would hope him to be - and politeness personified.

As he settles into a chair, he talks about playing the lead role of Jesus in Godspell, based around the stories of the Gospel according to St Matthew.

"The music is great," he says. "It's quite different from what I normally do. It's quite rocky and it is a challenge, but that's a good thing. Everything I do, I always try to make it a challenge."

But he will feel at home with Godspell, having played the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in London's West End and the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. And he is looking forward to exploring the places Godspell tours to, including Sunderland and Darlington.

"And finding great places to eat," he says, with a boyish smile.

At that, he apologises for "waffling on" and admits he's had three cups of coffee on the way here.

"I was reading the new Harry Potter. I'm a big fan," he says, adding that he's writing a children's book himself. He's had the idea for about eight years and is now about three quarters of the way through. But he's not revealing any plot lines.

"It needs a lot of work on it but I'm just getting the story down. I can't say what it's about, but it's very magical and the title is The Tree of Seasons."

Since being a part of the massive pop machine that was Boyzone - six number one singles, four number one albums - Stephen has taken on various roles. He's even filmed a part in a horror movie, Credo.

"I've always wanted to die in a horror movie," he laughs. "I get my throat slashed. I absolutely love horror."

Born and brought up a Catholic in the rough, tough area north of the Liffey in Dublin, Stephen wasn't necessarily destined for great things. But he clearly fostered a desire to perform and be famous - reportedly practising his autograph from the age of 13. He originally studied acting in Dublin and it's clear that he loves performing live.

He was only 17 when he joined Boyzone and was catapulted into worldwide fame. But while the band enjoyed hit after hit, he was struggling to balance the public's heterosexual perception of him with the knowledge that he was gay. He came out in June 1999, before a national newspaper broke the news. His brave move did not dent his popularity as he worried it might, and his fans backed him.

The band members went their separate ways in 2000 and Stephen's own solo effort with album New Beginnings did not achieve the chart-topping heights he'd wished for and he was dropped by his record company, Polydor, in 2001.

That said, it could be just the right time for a Boyzone reunion...

"Oh, I would love Boyzone to get together again, I really would," he says. "But it's about getting the five of us together at the same time. We're all doing different projects now and if we wanted to do it, it definitely wouldn't be this year because I don't finish Godspell until December. It's not because Ronan doesn't want to do it, he's just busy and touring on his own. We would also have to do it for the right reasons - maybe a charity single or something. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Stephen still keeps in touch with all his former bandmates and says they're all really good friends. He's due to be best man for Shane Lynch's wedding next month.

His personal life couldn't be better, either. He is happily married to Internet businessman Andy Cowles. The couple had a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas, followed last year by a civil partnership ceremony in England.

Asked whether the pair have any plans to become fathers, he replies thoughtfully: "I think a child is something you have to dedicate a lot of time to and the way my life is it wouldn't be fair to drag a child around. I don't think I could do that.

"But I've got lots of nieces and nephews. I would like to be a father, but I can't see it happening. It's great to see other people's kids and I love children, but I'm hoping to build my career."

For now, any paternal affection is lavished on his Shitsu dog, Bentley, who lives with the couple in London. After he's finished with Godspell in December he may take a break over Christmas before getting back to his book and building his career in musicals.

As the interview draws to a close a minute before time he says:

"Please stay if you like, I'm going to make another coffee...".

Peter Pan-like he may be with his boyish looks and genuine charm, but he has the manners of a gentleman.

Godspell will be at Darlington's Civic Theatre from October 15-20, contact 01325-486555, and at Sunderland's Empire Theatre from October 22-27. Contact 0870-602-1130.

6:05am today

6/7/2007

Former Boyzone star Stephen Gately comes to Llandudno and Swansea later this year in a new tour of Godspell, one of the most successful musicals of recent times.

The new high-energy modern-day song-and-dance production depicts the last days of Jesus through its uplifting music.

It has a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz and boasts a string of international hits including Day By Day, Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord and By My Side.

It comes to Llandudno Venue Cymru from October 8 to 13 and to Swansea Grand Theatre from 6 to 10 November.

Gateley is here for a spell...

Former Boyzone star Stephen Gately (pictured) may have handed over his brightly coloured garb to Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead (See News, 11 Jun 2007), but he hasn’t left Biblical musical roles behind him. This autumn he’ll star in a major new revival of Stephen Schwartz’s Seventies hit Godspell, which opens at the Manchester Palace on 25 September 2007, at the start of a two-month UK-wide tour.

For seven years in the 1990s, Gately was a member of Irish group Boyzone, one of the most successful boybands in UK chart history. The band reached the top three in the charts with every one of their first 14 singles. Their many hits included "Love Me for a Reason", "When You Say Nothing at All, "Baby Can I Hold You" and "No Matter What" from another Lloyd Webber musical, Whistle Down the Wind.

Gately made his West End debut in March 2003 playing the title role in Bill Kenwright’s last London outing of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (See News, 17 Feb 2003), which ran for two-and-a-half years at the New London Theatre. The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, based on the story of Jacob’s son Joseph and his 11 jealous brothers, is revived next month at the Adelphi Theatre starring Lee Mead, who this past Saturday was crowned the victor of TV casting competition Any Dream Will Do.

A modern-day song-and-dance recreation of the Gospel According to St Matthew, Godspell opens with John the Baptist gathering up followers and concludes with Jesus' crucifixion in a junkyard. Conceived by then-college student John-Michael Tebelak, the show has music and lyric by Stephen Schwartz, whose subsequent hits include Pippin and, most recently Wicked. The score includes such famous songs as "Day by Day", "All Good Gifts" and "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord".

Godspell first opened Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre in May 1971, before clocking up over 2,000 performances on Broadway. Later that year, it opened in the West End in a production that starred David Essex. The musical was adapted for the 1973 film, starring Victor Garber.

The last major UK revival toured the country in 2002 and starred Daniel MacPherson and Jonathan Wilkes alternating in the roles of Jesus and Judas (See News, 19 Feb 2002). A full schedule for the new UK tour, directed by Leicester Haymarket artistic director Paul Kerryson, will be released shortly.

- by Terri Paddock

No Matter What features a guest appearance by Boyzone's Steven Gately.

"That came about through the Louis Walsh connection. It's a track he has championed for some time and he felt it deserved a bit of a comeback.

"As for Steven, we really enjoyed working with a different artist. His voice complemented ours.

"We performed with him in Ireland and spoke to him about his appearances on Dancing On Ice. He said he didn't take it as seriously as some of the other contestants. Some got incredibly dedicated but he was doing it for fun."

Stephen Gately

Tuesday, February 13 2007, 10:07 GMT

By Miriam Zendle, Music Reporter

At a height of 5'7", the odds had always been stacked against success for Stephen Gately in Dancing On Ice.

Yet despite his natural disadvantage, the pint-sized popstar made it through four weeks of the skating competition, finally falling on Saturday after a tense skate-off with footballer Lee Sharpe.

DS chats to the former Boyzone singer about his time with the show, his thoughts on the judges and the possibility of the boyband staging a Take That-style comeback.

So how does it feel to be out? Is it surreal?
"It's not that surreal, I was there today and it's fine. I'm very happy with where I got to, where myself and Christina got to. I just made three little things - one was that I didn't fall in front of the public, I didn't go out first, and I didn't let Christina down... none of that happened, so I'm extremely pleased."

How would you judge your own performance on the night?
"It's worthy of whatever it got, there's nothing I could do about it. Lee skated better than me, so I'm happy that he's still in. He deserves to still be in."

What goes through your head as you prepare for the skate-off?
"Just to enjoy it, enjoy it more than the first time with it. Do it better than the first time you did it, but have fun with it, as it could be the last time you skate. That's exactly what I did - I had fun with it and enjoyed it."

Initially, what did you thiink would happen once you got on the show?
"That I would make a fool of myself, that I was going to fall flat, that I would be nervous, which I was, all of those, except for falling flat. Just worried about what people would think, but at the end of the day it's such a huge, huge show to be doing. If you make mistakes people just back you on it and say 'we know it's not the easiest thing, it's so difficult'. People know it is."

What was your motivation for doing the show?
"The reason I did it was because it was a fantastic challenge, a great opportunity, and there were great people involved. I've always said no to reality TV shows, but this one you get to learn a skill, you get to work with two of the greatest skaters ever and it's a fantastic opportunity, so that's why I did it, because you gain a lot from it."

What has the reaction been like from the general public?
"It's been great - they think Christina and myself are a really cute couple, they enjoyed the performances because they had a really fun aspect, and a lot of dancing in it. I think they enjoyed it. The reaction's been great, luckily, thank god."

Were you surprised to get so far after struggling early on?
"I was struggling earlier on, mostly due to nerves, but as long as you work harder at things you'll get better as you go along, and you'll improve, and I feel I did improve. Christina was amazing, she helped me so much, as did Chris and Jane. I was very lucky to have a partner like Christina."

Tell us a bit about the relationship between you and your partner?
"We didn't have any arguments. She's a good mate, we like each other - I think we'll always be friends, always know each other, always keep in touch."

Do you think you were at a disadvantage due to your height?
"Yeah, I think it was harder for us to do lifts. I never wanted to drop Christina - if I'd dropped her or hurt her I would have been so upset, so I was scared of that, but that's one of the reasons we didn't move on."

What was your best dance, do you think?
"I did like the Kylie number - 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' - and the middle two numbers were my favourite two. I just felt more with the music, I enjoyed the music [for those] more, it wasn't a battle. If you like the song you're skating to, it's half the battle won, really. I really enjoyed those two."

What was the best and the worst thing about your time on the show?
"The best thing was working with Jane and Chris, working with everybody and having fun. The worst thing was early mornings. I hate early mornings, and you have to put so much hard work into this, and you've got to be dedicated. I was, but I'm not good in the morning."

What was the schedule like?
"The schedule was good, busy but good. Sometimes you'd have early mornings, sometimes you'd have lates. It was all over the place, really, you just got to grips with it, did the best you could do. Got up early in the morning, had about 20 coffees, tried to look normal and carry on. It's fun, it was all fun. It was a good experience and I'm so glad I did it. "

What did you think of the judges? Who was your favourite and least favourite?
"I loved Karen, I was closest to Karen. She was a good friend, and I loved working with her. She always made me laugh and smile, she was a wonderful woman, absolutely wonderful woman. I've seen her today, we had a quick laugh, a quick giggle. I love all the judges, they were all nice. Jason, I know people think is a little bit full on with what he says. I've known Jason [for a while], I actually like him and we get on well."

You can see that you and Duncan seemed to get on well with Jason well - and it's all a big front, anyway, isn't it? It's all pretence.
"Yeah! I think Jason's a big, cuddly bear. I think he puts it on."

I don't think he'll appreciate you saying that!
"Haha, I know, but he is. He's always been very friendly to me and nice and I've always appreciated that."

Who do you tip to win/who is your favourite?
"I really want Kieran to win. He's my dearest friend on the show, and an absolute gentleman. Such a good skater - he's improved so much, and he got the highest marks for last week, and he's just such a genuine guy and deserves to win."

Who do you think will go next?
"I'm not sure. Probably Kay, maybe. There's so many great skaters there, and I'm not saying that Kay's not, but I think there's some stronger skaters there than her, so maybe Kay."

As ever, there have been rumours Boyzone will reform. can you put those to rest?
"Yep, I'd love it to happen, but there's no names on papers, so nothing's happening at the moment. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. I don't know, but I'd love it to happen.

What do you think about the current glut of bands reforming?
"I know. We didn't want to follow in their footsteps. If it comes around to us doing it, so be it, but there's a great want for nostalgia out there, and if we can do it some time in the future then [that's] fantastic."

Is it surreal to look back on your boyband days and then see what you're doing now?
"No, I don't, I just keep on going, see whatever comes around the corner and just have fun with what you're doing. I obviously turned down a lot of different pieces [in favour of] things I really would love to do, so I've just been doing that."

What are your plans for the future?
"For the past year and a half I've been writing a children's book, so I'm going to get back to that now in the next couple of weeks. They centre around that, but not only that, I've got a lot of bits and pieces happening. I've got a horror movie coming out later on in the year called Creedo, which is a really fun horror movie. I get a horrible death in that, I get my throat slashed, which I loved filming. So that's happening. Lots of various different pieces. They've asked me to do the Dancing On Ice tour, but I've not said yes to that at the moment, but you know. Lots of things happening. We'll see."

Finally, do you plan to carry on skating?
"Yeah, my friend goes skating a lot, Gillian McKeith, she loves to go skating, so I'm going to go with her next weekend. It's good to keep it up. It's something you've always had, and it's one of the reasons I did this show - you gain a skill, and yeah, fun!"

Dancing On Ice: Gately’s icy exit

The Irishman, now

GONE: Gately

 a West End star, was given the elbow by all five judges following his skate-off with ex-Manchester United footballer Lee Sharpe.

On leaving he told the official website: "It's been an absolutely amazing experience.

Coach and former Olymic champion Christopher Dean added: "Stephen's been the life and soul of the party - we enjoyed every minute."

Fans of the show have been told to expect a ‘line-dancing on ice’ challenge this weekend!

Gately wants Boyzone back

Skately: I'd love a reunion

CHEERIOS CHILDLINE Concert Celebrates Its 10th Birthday
News last updated: 01-12-2006

MEGA STARS LINE UP TO JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS!
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 8 DECEMBER AT 9AM

click here to view a promotional video (Flash Player 7 or later required)

The Cheerios Childline Concert is celebrating it's 10th Birthday and mega stars have lined up to join the celebrations at the Point Theatre on 28 January 2007. Pop sensations Westlife, Shayne Ward and McFly are set to perform with many more acts to be announced!

The event, which is sponsored by Cheerios, is the most important date in the pop calendar! Come and join the Party with hosts Keith Duffy and Stephen Gately!

Tickets for this fully seated show are €38(including booking fee) and go on sale Friday 8 December at 9am from usual outlets.

In Person: from 99 Ticketmaster outlets nationwide
24 hr Hotline: (ROI) 0818 719 300
24 hr On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

Childline, which is Ireland's No. 1 children's charity, will receive over €280,000 from 2007's concert. To date Childline has benefited to the tune of €2,152,000 from the previous concerts which have been held annually since 1997 and have featured such acts as Westlife, Robbie Williams, Girls Aloud, All Saints, Brian McFadden, S Club7, Blue, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Five, SugaBabes, Busted, Big Brovaz, Samantha Mumba, Boyzone and many more.

The Cheerios Childline Concert will be televised on RTE 2 on Sunday 18 February 2007 at 4.30pm.

All parties involved with the Cheerios Childline Concert are providing their services free of charge on the night including the artists, organisers and the Point Theatre.

Doors will open at 7.00 p.m. and fans should note that no queuing will be permitted prior to 6.00 p.m. for security reasons.

Persons with small children are recommended to purchase balcony tickets. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by a person over 23 years of age.

Pop star among the creepy-crawlies.

POP star-turned-actor Stephen Gately took time out from his busy schedule to meet children, snakes and lizards at Farming World’s creepy-crawly day.

The Irish singer (pictured), who was a member of hugely successful boy band Boyzone, is appearing as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury and was joined at the farm attraction by co-star George Wood, who plays the part of the Tin Man.

This is a pantomime of two halves. Up until the interval and the arrival of two white ponies drawing Cinderella’s coach, it is heavy going. The production begins sinking beneath a succession of flat EastEnders gags - introduced because Shaun Williamson plays Buttons - and a weakness for breaking into song at the slightest excuse or no excuse at all.

The show is presenting a new script, the costumes are colourfully rich, the sets are a glittering delight and money has been spent. Pity then that the first half never catches fire and the basic reason for this is a lack of comedy and audience participation, plus an overdose of singing.

So the break came as a relief. But with the resumption things pick up. The ghosts and ghoulies sketch gives the kids a chance to shout and the tempo lifts. From then on it scores with a lively songsheet routine, right through to the wedding and the traditional walkdown.

Stephen Gately, the Irish ex-Boyzone singer, clearly handles his songs with ease. Williamson, while not a natural for Buttons, works continually to win support, and Jessica Martin proves an ever welcome fairy godmother.

Laura Hamilton is a glamorous, singing Cinders, and Tony Jackson and Christopher Dennis as ugly sisters are dressed-to-kill monsters.

Cinderella gets there in the end. Pity about the slow start.

James Green