George Bladgen talks upcoming production of ‘Love Never Dies: “My challenge is for audiences to find some redeeming features in Raoul”

The sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s haunting romance returns to the West End in a special concert version featuring a star-studded cast. Guillermo Nazara chats with one of its leads to learn about his approach to the role and its challenges just a few days ’till we hear him sing.

How does it feel to star in the sequel to one of the most successful musicals ever written?

It feels amazing. I grew up singing Phantom of the Opera material during my singing lessons at school, so this really hits home for me. I even remember that, for a singing competition, I sang the title song — and we won! Going back through this material is feels like a “pinch me” moment. You can recognise melodies and phrases from Phantom, which has been part of my artistic spirit for the last couple of decades.

Love Never Dies has never matched the success of its predecessor, but it’s proving to be rather popular as a concert. How do you explain this phenomenon?

I’ve never seen the show, but I wonder if it’s because this production is actually more than a concert. Like last time, it will be fully staged: we will be in costume and on a set. I think people are expecting to come see the songs interpreted in a nice way, but they will find out we are doing a full blown production of Love Never Dies. The other reason might be how much expectation people had when the musical celebrated its world premiere, as it’s the sequel to a massively popular show. However, anyone I know who’s somehow connected to it raves about it — its nuanced music, how it builds to the success of Phantom storywise. As I’m getting familiar with the score, it feels like it’s taken everything we love about Phantom. Either if you’re a Phantom fan or you’ve never seen it, you’re still gonna have a great night at the theatre.

In this story, Raoul has transitioned from the show’s heartthrob to a pitiful, defeated version of himself. How have you approached that initial character arc?

I met with someone at an event recently, and they said that they were coming to see Love Never Dies. They were particularly interested in seeing what I’d do with role, especially because, generally speaking, I usually play nice characters. My challenge is for audiences to find some redeeming features in him. I’m still up for it, although some people have warned me that it’s not gonna happen. However, what I love about my job is playing characters that experience some kind of transformation. I’ve done a lot of television, which entails staying with the same character for so many hours and plotting a journey for them. With Raoul, I’ve not coming to the role with any previous experience, as I’ve never portrayed him before. He’s not in a good place, and that’s how I want to take him, and hopefully allow him to redeem himself. We’ll see!

Are you bringing any personal elements to the role?

I have an aversion to admitting that I bring anything personal to the character. But that’s silly, because, at the end of the day, I’m still standing there doing the job. However, I’m very passionate about taking character and circumstance and just using that: what’s this character going through? What circumstances are they in? I try to represent that in the context of the story we’re trying to tell. I’m quite black and white about that. I do differ from many other actors in that regard, but I don’t think anyone’s interested in coming to see George’s personal story. They’ve booked to see Raoul’s story. Of course, you can take things from your personal life that might help you. But actually, we’re trying to do something that’s bigger than us. I like looking at that in isolation and finding the tools to bring the best version of the character.

What musical challenges have you found in this role?

The score is very vocally demanding and definitely different to any other score I’ve done in the past. I used to say that I’m a musical theatre newbie, but I can’t get away with that excuse anymore. This score is very intricate, and it changes so much. It’s technical hard as well. What Andrew has written is very specific. But I love that challenge, and I’m really responding to it. I was also desperate to do this role because I longed to be in the room with Jamie Muscato and Celine Schoenmaker. I just want to be onstage with these two masters of their craft. And they are probably the reason why so many people have booked their tickets. I’ve got some singing, but I’m here to watch them as well!

Have you found any other challenges?

Definitely, the character’s journey. In addition, the process of making it happen. In my previous jobs, when you sign on to do a show, you have four or five weeks of rehearsal and some previews. Here, we have only 10 days — we start on a Monday, and we’re having our first performance on the following Friday! I’ve never done that before. The expectation is for us to arrive on our first day knowing the show by heart. There are many logistical choices regarding staging that are already made, and we will have to fit into them. I’m a bit nervous about that. Let’s see what happens!

Are there any highlights in this production that you would like to flag?

Lots. Working with Jamie again is one of them. We did Les Mis movie together back in 2012. That’s how we met. We used to live in the same area, so we would share the same car to go to Pinewood Studios for the six months that we worked on the film. I’ve known him socially ever since, but we haven’t been professionally reunited up until now. That’s something I’m really looking forward to. Our careers have gone in widely different directions from one another, and now we’re back working together on the stage of the Palladium. He’s the King of the West End at the moment, and I can’t wait to do Devil Takes The Hindmost with him. It’s just a dream to work with friends.

If you had to give me one single reason to see this production of Love Never Dies, which one would it be?

If I came to see this show as an audience member, I think I’d consider myself very lucky by the time the curtain came down. Seeing this cast doing this material won’t probably happen again. And I think that I myself will have goosebumps when singing part of this material — or just listening.

Love Never Dies In Concert will play at the London Palladium from 16 to 18 October. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara