BWW Interviews: Alexis Gerred About PLUG IN THE LEAD

Alexis Gerred, best known in the West End for his performance in Dreamboats and Petticoats, is turning producer on 17th June for the charity gig Plug In The Lead, featuring Tony Christie, Lauren Samuels, Lucie Jones, Jimmy Johnston and more.

Can you tell us a little bit about how you came up with the idea to put on the show?

My uncle, Andy Shears, was sadly diagnosed with cancer in 2010 but no matter how weak the treatment made him, he found a way to support me, especially through "Eurovision: Your Country Needs You" and even came and sat in the front row during my time in "Dirty White Boy" at the Trafalgar Studios.

Devastatingly, towards the start of my time in "Dreamboats and Petticoats", the cancer took control and Andy was sadly taken from us. He is missed everyday by all of our family but no more than by my Auntie and their young and beautiful girls, who at the time were aged four and nine. At an extremely devastating and difficult time, St. Christopher’s Hospice reached out their charitable hand to help.

Nothing could have made this shattering loss any easier on my family but their constant care, support and guidance has been a blanket of comfort for my Auntie and she’ll be forever grateful. That's why I want to turn the fantastic position I find myself in, surrounded by talented and kind friends, into a positive and help St. Christopher's Hospice. This event, Plug In The Lead, means more to me than anything else that I've ever done and perhaps more than I'll ever do. I promise that this event will be worth buying a ticket for.

What's it been like to take a producing role rather than being on stage? What's been the biggest challenge?

As a performer, I had never even given much thought to how much hard work and dedication producing an event like this takes. But I must say...it's relentless. I'm just incredibly grateful that Paulden Hall Productions, producers whom have sold out and won awards for previous shows and events, have agreed to co-produce this evening with me. Their guidance and experience have been soldered to my passion, enthusiasm and vision, a recipe that has created a team that'll ensure that this concert reaches its absolute potential.

I'm also delighted to be working with Ellie Verkerk once again. She's our musical director for the evening and a complete asset to our team... she will have the whole theatre rocking, without doubt!

As for the biggest challenge? I would have initially thought that trying to persuade all these infinitely talented performers to offer their services up for one night would be an impossible task, but, surprisingly that was the easiest part. The biggest lesson I've learnt so far is how kind and giving people are, especially to a cause such as this. I've been really touched and I know my family are too. I guess what I'm finding the hardest to cope with is living up to my own high expectations, this night is a chunk of my heart that I'm placing on a stage for everybody to see and therefore it must be perfect and I won't let it be anything else!

And what'll be next for you after this?

Plug In The Lead is my main focus at the minute and I haven't thought too much past it, yet. I always deal with one thing at a time, I have a tendency to panic if I overload myself with too much. However, I'm ideally looking for some work in TV, I've spent my career on a stage so far and I'm incredibly grateful for that but some variety never hurt anyone. Saying that, if I was offered a dream role like Galileo in We Will Rock You or Drew in Rock Of Ages? I'd never turn it down.

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