Currently starring in the London ensemble of Les Misérables, Luke McCall and Mared Williams are also a part of Welsh Of The West End, which reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. Ewa Pałka asked them about their plans and advice for ambitious young actors.

How did you start performing?

Luke McCall: You have it naturally inside you. Like most of my friends back home – they’re still in choirs and performing to this day. I started singing with some male voice choirs; I think it’s part of our culture.

Mared Williams: Same for me – I grew up in a Welsh-speaking school, and there were always competitions, choirs, and a lot of music. That was the earliest inspiration. And then, going through quite a musical high school, I studied for a music degree before deciding I wanted to do musical theatre as a Masters. 

Would you say it was difficult to get to where you are now?

Luke: Well, yes. You must go through loads of different processes to work where we work. I did about four years of studying music and singing and performing, then you’ve got to go through the audition process. You can’t just click your fingers and do it. But it’s been a great process to get here.

Mared: It’s a mixture of luck and hard work. I was lucky to get Les Mis as my first musical theatre job out of my Masters. But if you think about all the hard work that goes into your masters, the auditions, and getting into a course – it’s a lot.

What’s it like to be starring on the West End?

Luke: Well, I’ll tell you what: last night’s audience was terrific. And it’s nice like that when the audience has that electricity. It just makes you feel incredible. 

Mared: I wouldn’t say I’m starring in the show – I’m in the ensemble, and I cover for the character Eponine. We’re a pretty close-knit cast and have a lot of fun.

Can you describe the behind-the-scenes perspective of a professional stage actor working and living in London at the heart of the theatre scene?

Mared: Backstage was something I wasn’t familiar with. I wasn’t mindful of the process of the wigs, the costume, the technical side, and the sound. There’s so much work – such a big team of people. There are a lot of West End Instagram takeovers that do an excellent job of telling the story behind the scenes as well. 

Luke: It’s not as glamorous onstage. Space-wise, it’s a pretty small theatre – the wings are tiny. On stage, it all comes together, which is amazing, and the teams backstage are incredible.

Do you think that Welsh actors have to leave Wales to be successful?

Mared: There are so many exciting projects going on in Wales. There’s the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. I don’t think you need to leave – that depends on what kind of career you want. The West End isn’t the be-all and end-all, either. It depends on what kind of career you want to make for yourself.

What is it like to represent Wales outside the country?

Luke: Well, I have to say it’s lovely when you join a cast and other cast members speak Welsh. It brings a bit of home into the company. 

Mared: It’s lovely to be able to continue speaking Welsh in London.

Let’s talk about Welsh Of The West End – it started during lockdown?

Mared: Yes, we recorded our first video, and then just continued. It went viral a bit, which we didn’t expect because it was just a project we wanted to share – you know, some singing. And since then, it’s been a pretty lovely journey.

Luke: I love watching the first video back – I think I just sat there wearing some random t-shirt. I’ve got the microphone in front of me. And then watching the progress, it gets better and better edited. 

Mared: Yeah. And it’s nice to sing live with the group now as well. 

Luke: We’re going to Cardiff at the end of this month. We’re doing Pride Cymru at the end of August.

What should young people interested in theatre do to get to where you are now?

Luke: Sing every day. I think that’s key – working and never giving up. I believe learning from failure is essential. 

Mared: Having confidence in yourself and knowing what you like; not being afraid to figure out your performance strengths and just playing to those and continuing to do stuff you love. And I think growing through meeting different people as well. 

Is it still scary?

Luke: Oh, it’s still scary! I sometimes get something I call disco leg when I’m nervous – my leg starts shaking. But I’ve managed to narrow that down and keep it in my legs, so it doesn’t affect the rest of my performance. It’s just learning to control those nerves. Breathing, and just remembering to eat and drink loads of water.

How was it working on Les Misérables? 

Mared: It’s a very emotional show, and that can be difficult sometimes, but it’s also very rewarding because it’s such a popular one. The audience always loves it. The cast is lovely – it’s a close-knit family. 

Luke: That was my first job out of college about seven years ago – I did that for a year then. I’ve been fortunate to do every production [of the show] there is: the original production, the concept version, and the new production we have now. There’s always that thrill when you first up on that stage, and when you first hear the orchestra’s overture, it’s amazing.

Mared: I always appreciate it a lot more when I have people I know watching. Sometimes I pinch myself when I walk to work and see the big lights. It’s an honour to be here. It’s the longest-running musical! It’s a dream job for me. 

Welsh Of The West End perform at Pride Cymru, Civic Centre, Cardiff on Sun 28 Aug. Tickets: £15/£5 kids. Info: here

words EWA PAŁKA