"I loved drama and dressing up and putting on shows for the family"

Hometown
I was born in Colchester, Essex, and then when I was
ten my family moved to Bodmin in Cornwall. From there I moved to London to follow my dream! I’m now living in Cheshire.

What do you do?
Currently I am taking a break from performing in musicals on the stage and am teaching singing to adults and children of all ages as well as doing a spot of big band gigging to keep up my artistic ego!

What was your very first role in theatre?
My first role was performing on cruise ships to work for my Equity weeks. Then I got the role of Vince Fontaine/Teen Angel in the first national tour of Grease.

What else have you done in theatre?
I’ve performed at the Royal Variety Performance, twice at Alton Towers’, Halloween Spooktacular On Ice and in Disney’s Magical Moments in the West End. I’ve also done a bit of film work and some voice overs. From 2004-06 I was musical director, singing teacher and mentor to 65 full-time academic and vocational students from ages 5-17 at Stonelands School Of Ballet & Theatre Arts in Brighton and Hove.

Have you got qualifications?
Eight O-levels (what you did in the olden days before they invented GCSEs)

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
I think most people in theatre have had to do some other types of work before and sometimes in between jobs! I have done more than my share–waiter, chef, travel agent, karaoke host, barman and even a PA.

How did you start working in theatre?
I always wanted to be in performing arts and from a young age loved to sing. I quickly realised that a musical theatre career was what I longed for so I put all my efforts into music, drama and my weekly singing lesson.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always knew I wanted to do something creative. I loved drama and dressing up and putting on shows for the family! I also loved art and I still dabble a bit in that. I have even managed to sell a few pieces.

What do you do all day?
These days I get up have a coffee and then look at my student list for the day and mentally prepare what we will be working on that session. When I’m working in the theatre, my hours are very different from my every day job, so I find I go to bed later and rise not much before lunch. On a usual performance day, I’ll arrive at the theatre around 6pm for a vocal and physical warm up and show notes before make-up and costume/wig fittings.

What’s the best thing about your job?
I love to help others fulfill their goals with their voices and also pass on some of the priceless information I have been given through the years. I also love the buzz and satisfaction performing brings by taking the audience away from lives for a couple of hours. We all need to escape sometimes to re-group our minds.

And the worst?
The only thing I would say is that some days feel a little monotonous. Office workers often do different tasks throughout their days, whereas performers consistently have to do the same things at the same times every day. But I wouldn’t change any of it.

What’s your dream job in theatre?
I would love to play Javert in Les Miserables. Watch this space!

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
You have to stay focused and remember that their are more ’no’s than ’yes’s in this business but the roles you do get will make it all worth while. Work hard and get as much advice as you can from people in the business who can really help you understand the workings of the job. I was lucky to bump into Kiki Dee when I first got to London and she was an inspirational guru to me!

Toby Hinson’s singing coaching website