Spotlight on Martin Kemp as he takes on the role of Billy Flynn

There’s a new Billy in town – Martin Kemp takes over the role from Cuba Gooding Jr on 2nd July. I caught up with Martin during rehearsals. We chatted about his role in Chicago, pop rivalry and childhood influences. It was quite an interview and you can enjoy it for yourself at the bottom of this page. But first, here is Martin’s Biography to date.

Martin Kemp

Martin was born in Islington in October 1961. By the age of six he was attending the Anna Scher Children’s Theatre, and by the age of ten appeared regularly on television in programmes including Rumpole Of The Bailey, Dixon Of Dock Green, The Tomorrow People and Jackanory!

In 1979 he formed the new romantic band Spandau Ballet playing bass guitar. The group went on to tour the world and had a number of Top 20 hits in the 80’s. The single ‘True’ made the American Top 10.

By the late ’80s Martin had married Shirlie, one of the backing singers from Wham, and had started a family. He was then asked to star alongside his brother Gary in the film ‘The Krays’ which was a huge success. He then moved to Hollywood and made several films including: Sugar Town opposite Rosanna Arquette, Monk Dawson, Vampires Embrace and Sailors Tattoo before returning to Britain.

In 1998 he was offered the role of Steve Owen in the BBC’s Bafta Award winning drama series EastEnders, a role he played until March 2002. During that time Martin won numerous awards including Best Male Actor at the National TV Awards in both 2001.

Martin’s first two-hour drama for ITV, Daddy’s Girl was screened in September 2002 to great acclaim, and a new 6×1 hour drama series entitled Serious and Organised, also for ITV, transmitted in early January 2003. More recently Martin was seen in The Family another 6X1 hour drama for ITV, as George Joseph Smith in Brides In The Bath a two hour special for YTV/ITV and as Howard Walmsley in Can’t Buy Me Love a 90 minute one off drama for ITV which also starred Michelle Collins.

Martin Kemp as Billy Flynn in Chicago

Martin played the role Will Spencer in the British Feature Film Back In Business, Jacke Afflick in Miss Marple – Sleeping Murder’ for ITV and Mark Terry in Love Lies Bleeding, which also starred Hugo Speer and Claire Goose. The Best Years, Assassin and Age of Kill where he takes the lead as British spy Sam Blake.

Martin has directed two feature films Stalker a horror/thriller and Top Dog a gritty movie for Universal.

His book ‘True – An Autobiography of Martin Kemp’ was published in 2000 and spent several months in the Sunday Times best sellers list.

A few years ago Martin spent time touring the world with Spandau Ballet, promoting the film ‘Soul Boys of the Western World’ and playing to sold out arenas at every stop!

In the Summer 2016 he covered Graham Norton on BBC Radio 2 Saturday morning Show alongside Fearne Cotton, and in December 2016 Martin Played Sam Phillips in the fantastic theatre production Million Dollar Quartet over Christmas.

Martin exercised his love of crime and fronted two shows for Discovery / Quest in 2016 – Murder Files & Detective, as well as being the Voice for Sky1 ‘s Hit ’The Force – Essex‘.

Martin has been touring all over the UK with his popular ‘Audience With’.

Most Recently in 2017, Martin was a Judge on BBC Saturday Night Entertainment show ‘Let It Shine’ alongside Dannii Minogue and Gary Barlow

Martin supports several major charities.

LISTINGS

Phoenix Theatre

110 Charing Cross Road

London WC2H 0JP

Box Office: 0844 871 7629 / www.atgtickets.com/shows/chicago/phoenix-theatre

Tickets start from just £20 through this link carnstheatrepassion.com

Ticket Prices: From £20.00

Performances: Monday–Saturday 8pm to 23 June, 7.30pm from 25 June, Wednesday & Saturday 3pm

Booking Period:  Booking Until 5 January 2019

Running Time:  2 hours, 25 minutes (with interval)

Website: ChicagoWestEnd.com

Twitter: @ChicagoOnStage

Christmas 2018/19 Performance Schedule

Monday 24 December        NO PERFORMANCE

Tuesday 25 December       NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 26 December  7.30pm

Thursday 27 December      2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday 28 December           2.30pm and 7.30pm

Saturday 29 December       2.30pm and 7.30pm

Monday 31 December        2.30pm

Tuesday 1 January 2019    7.30pm

Wednesday 2 January        2.30pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 3 January            2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday 4 January                 7.30pm

Saturday 5 January             2.30pm and 7.30pm

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