INFORMAL - AN INTERVIEW SERIES
DAVID HUNTER
David Hunter is a charismatic and celebrated performer who shines in musical theatre, He is known for roles such as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots, Doctor Pomatter in Waitress and most recently, Henry in The Time Traveller's Wife.
This month he is taking on the role of Lucas in the UK premiere of IF/THEN from the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey alongside an iconic cast which includes Kerry Ellis as Elizabeth, Adam Garcia as Josh and Preeya Kalidas as Kate. The show is being presented as a staged concert at London's Savoy Theatre on Monday 10th February and Monday 17th February.
I was lucky enough to have the chance to chat with David earlier this year at the press launch of IF/THEN and his passion for the piece shone through: "It's the sort of musical theatre that I love. I just adore it and think we need more musical theatre like this."
I had to admit to him that I knew nothing about the show, so asked him why London needs to see it: "It's an original story that has a real high concept in the middle of it which is that Elizabeth's life is split in a specific moment and we see the two way in which it goes. I honestly think that this is a gorgeous original story and it has a sensational cast."
We both agreed that these concert versions are a great springboard for new musicals: "Thank goodness we have these one night concerts * so that show's like this can come over and have their moment in the sun, and then perhaps have a longer life, and I think this show deserves a run."
Concerts such as this are really a moment in musical theatre history: "It's really special for the audience and performers because you get to be there and experience that moment, and what a joyous thing that is. It's wholey unique as well because even if there is a longer run, it's never the same as that night again and there's a real excitement about seeing theatre where even us on the stage don't know how it's going to be received and what's going to work well. Which songs are going to really resonate with people? We won't find out until the night, along with the audience and that's thrilling."
David had performed a song from the show earlier that afternoon and what struck me about it was the emotion in the lyrics: "The songs are beautifully written and crafted and all the characters wear their hearts on their sleeves. They're just great characters to work with because you get to be honest. It's the sort of musical that made me fall in love with musical theatre because it feels like real conversations between real people going through extraordinary things or high drama amd emotion, but fundamentally it feels like this is how I would speak."
I wanted to learn about David's character Lucas and what part he plays in the IF/THEN story: "The story centers around Elizabeth and Lucas is one of her options! Our characters interlock romantically and as friends, and you see Lucas is both versions of the story so it's really interesting for me to get my head around the portrayal."
I asked David how much of himself he can bring to this role: "I think a lot. I think you have to and any part you play the soul of them has to be something that's in you - unless you're playing an axe murderer! Fundimentally Lucas is a man who is very much in touch with his emotions, and even with the few songs we've done and shared so far, I can relate to them all. The heartbreak, unrequited love and the yearning and desire of it all. Being down on yourself and struggling is relateable to all of us so it's so accessable in that way and it's been so much fun to do so far."
Whenever I've seen David perform on stage before, I've always been impressed with the honesty and realism he brings to his characters, like he's really living the part: "I look for those roles and maybe the reason I get offered those sort of parts is because I can relate to them, which is true of the parts I've played. For me musical theatre is about 'how do I make acting through song feel real and sincere?' It's a challenge, but I like the challenge!"
David's passion for this piece and musical theatre as a whole is absolutely contagious and I cannot wait to see him perform in this show. Find all the details and a link to tickets below.
If/Then
The Savoy Theatre
Monday 10th February & Monday 17th February 2025
You can check out David singing 'You Don't Need To Love Me' at the IF/THEN press launch on my social media channels. Search Pink Prince Theatre on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok!
*when this interview was held, IF/THEN was only a one night concert. A second date has subsequently been added.
Interview conducted by Neill Kovacic-Clarke for Pink Prince Theatre on 13/01/25
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