reality

INTERVIEW: TOBIAS TURLEY (MAMMA MIA!) | London, Novello Theatre

Interview

Tobias Turley is the winner of ITV’s MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream, a British television talent competition documenting the search for two new, unknown musical theatre performers for Mamma Mia! in the West End.

— Congratulations on winning ITV’s MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream, with a prize that money can’t buy: joining the West End cast as Sky. How are you feeling?

I’m feeling great, thank you, I’m having such a blast in this show. It’s such an incredible feeling seeing so many months of hard work pay off and come to fruition. We started filming the TV show over a year ago now, so it’s very odd to see myself in the position I am currently in, but I am loving every second.

— Since opening in 1999, Mamma Mia! has gone on to be one of the most successful musicals in the whole world.  For you, what makes it so popular and so enduring?

This show is built on a foundation of incredible music. ABBA is timeless and beloved all over the world, so that’s a great start. But also it has a great script, incredible production design and amazing choreography. It’s a good mixture all round.

— Tell us about your character, Sky.

Sky is a charming, bubbly island boy. Who is head over heels for Sophie, but not completely sold on the idea of marriage just yet. He loves adventuring on the island, diving, surfing, very typical island behaviour. He’s very level headed, calm and collected but also incredibly light hearted. He’s a good egg.

— Anything else exciting in the pipeline?

The future is looking very exciting and I’m taking everything as it comes.  Being part of the show’s 25th anniversary celebration, with Björn Ulvaeus joining us on stage, was so special; the same anniversary of ABBA winning Eurovision with “Waterloo”, 50 years ago. I feel so incredibly lucky to be in the position I am in.

Tobias Turley is now performing in the West End production of Mamma Mia!, playing eight shows a week.

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INTERVIEW: JIN HAO LI | Glasgow, BBC New Comedy Awards 2023

Interview

— Congratulations on winning the semi-finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards 2023. How did that feel?

Not to be gross, but the biggest takeaway was genuinely the friends I made. We all agreed to do this bit: when they announce the winner, if it isn’t you; bury your head in your hands in disgust and disappointment. Everyone committed. It was the funniest thing they filmed that night, and meant a lot more than if they just clapped for me.

— For someone who’s never seen you before, how would you describe your stand-up comedy style?

I would say it’s a warm hug that lasts too long.

— How did you get into stand-up?

The first live stand up show I saw was back home in Singapore. I was wearing my army uniform at the time and sat in the front row. I absolutely deserved getting roasted. But the biggest feeling that night was, if this is the standard that is acceptable to face the public, there is nothing to be afraid of.  So I did it the following week and once you start, you can’t really stop.

— What’s next for Jin Hao Li?

I’m building towards my first hour, which has to be excellent and immortalised. I’m working on two scripted projects at the moment: a sketch show, and a series that I’m writing with my friend Iris, about Chinese actors living in London.

Watch the BBC New Comedy Awards 2023 on BBC iPlayer.

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