BWW Interviews: Gold Medallist Robin Cousins about Michael Crawford, CHICAGO and The Olympics!

Jo Whytock

How are you enjoying playing Billy Flynn?

Loving it! He’s a wonderful character. There is a bravado to the role. You have to allow the character to envelop you. The cast have been great, really accepting and supportive of me as I joined in its final months. Chicago is still doing well in the West End; lots of shows have been struggling but that’s not happened to us which is great.

And how does it feel to be closing the run?

I’m honoured to do it. I auditioned last October when Barry, the producer, was over from New York and they said yes and asked me to do the role during the Olympics. So I’m on double duties at the moment. It was a bit of a coup for them to have me at this time. I’m sad the show is closing in the West End but with such a strong audience, it may be leaving for now but I don’t think it’ll be long before it’s back in one form or another.

Did you know the role of Billy before you auditioned for it?

Yes! It’s one of my favourite shows. I saw the original performance in the mid 70s in New York, it was on one of my first international trips in '75 or '76. And you remember the music -  especially because one of my team mates training at Queensway used the overture for their routine! Kander & Ebb have such a history - and there is no bad song in Chicago. It’s got the strongest score.

How do you feel about joining a long line of distinguished Billys including John Barrowman, Henry Goodman...?

Thrilled! It’s nice to work with the director. The character of Billy – he lives on the page – the vision is there, his bravado and his belief. There’s not a word he says that’s not calculated. But the role also allows a personal spin. You can perform it and not just deliver it. It’s such a cliché but you can “inhabit the role”. It’s not a cookie-cutter – the roles of Billy, Velma, Roxy, Amos, they’re identifiable, even with all the international productions, but you CAN bring yourself to the role and make it your own. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity, and to have the opportunity to surprise people! Whatever they think before they come, they ask “why is he there?” but I can change their minds.

You’ve done quite a lot of musical work in the last year or so - is this something we can expect to see more of?

I would LOVE to do more! I’m game for auditions. With Cats, Rocky Horror, Grease, other little
things, I’m fortunate that this has become an important part of my life. And I believe that if you’re going to do it, you should do it properly. I’m not playing at it. I’m passionate about it. I’ve jumped in with both feet. I’d maybe like to do some comedy. I like the audition process, I don’t love it, but I like it, as much as anyone. I can learn from it. I’ve had good chances.

Do you have a dream role? Anything you’d like to play?

I’d like to get deeper into my craft. Maybe Thenardier in Les Miserables, the Emcee in Cabaret again allows you to fit your personality, he’s like a cross between Billy and Rocky Horror! I'd love to keep working in the theatre, even if it’s a small role in rep - if it’s the right role.

As an Olympian, are you getting a chance to watch the Olympics?

Not so much seeing as doing. With my GB Ambassador role with the Synchronized Swimming team, I've been at the pool. For the finals, the people at Chicago were lovely and gave me the matinee off so I could be there. I started working with the Synchronized Swimming team in July 2011. It was supposed to be an involvement of “X” hours, but I got so involved, I ended up being involved in the choreography, the music. I got Michael Crawford involved, he did the voiceover for their Peter Pan routine. It’s been fascinating learning about a sport that has things in common with my own, in that it has artistic and technical routines and is judged. I had no idea of how much of an athlete you have to be to do what these girls do. They swim miles just to warm up, and their cardiovascular strength, to be able to breath for minutes under water, and the precise timing, and make it all look beautiful in the pool.

It sounds like you’re having a great time doing it!

Absolutely! And I will continue to work with the British Swimming Association after the Olympics, so not just one year but the next four years to Rio, and who knows what in between. Maybe another theatre show? And Dancing on Ice in January 2013 – season 8, who knew?!

You’re going to be busy!

I’m not one for sitting around and waiting for something to happen. My philosophy is that you get out what you put in, and that you should do it right or not at all. Sometimes you want to let up on yourself, but then I end up going back to it, saying what’s next?

Robin Cousins stars as Billy Flynn in Chicago at the Garrick Theatre.

 

 

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