Interview: Britain’s Got Talent winner JAI MCDOWALL on BarnFest concert and Come What May UK tour

Britain’s Got Talent winner and West End star Jai McDowall is performing at BarnFest, produced by the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, this weekend. Ahead of his one-man show, which opens tomorrow, and his upcoming UK tour of Come What May, we caught up with him to talk about his career and future projects.

How are you doing and how does it feel to be back performing again?

It feels incredible, I definitely feel like I’m back home after such a long time away.

How did you find the period of lockdown, both personally and professionally?

I found it ok to begin with as it gave me the time to spend at home with family but as it progressed, I felt more and more saddened that I could not do the job I love doing.

You are performing at BarnFest this weekend. What can audiences expect from your show?

I have put together a set of songs they’ll know from my album and songs I’ve released since. I have also decided to add in a Q & A section, which is something I don’t usually do but I feel like it’ll let the audience get to know me better.

Have you been to the Barn Theatre in Cirencester before?

I haven’t. However, I do hope to return as the town and theatre are beautiful.

You are also heading out on tour with Come What May next month, celebrating the music of Moulin Rouge and other films. What is the musical number that you are most looking forward to performing in the show?

I love the song ‘Roxanne’ from Moulin Rouge and I know it’s going to be on the set list, so I hope the audience have their drinks at the ready!

What’s your favourite movie musical and why?

My favourite movie musical is Mary Poppins because well…need I say more?! Disney films were the reason I fell in love with singing and music so I had to use a Disney film for this. Though I have yet to see the musical in the West End but it’s on my list!

Do you enjoy the touring lifestyle?

 I do enjoy it. I think this will be a fun one as it’s a bigger cast to get to know over the course of seven weeks.

Your career has continued to grow since winning Britain’s Got Talent ten years ago. Do you have a highlight thus far?

I have many highlights since Britain's Got Talent, though I think one of my favourite has to be going back and performing on Britain's Got Talent: The Champions in 2019.

Do you have any other future projects that you are able to share with us?

After BarnFest and Come What May, I will be donning a mask to play the Beast in Worthing’s Christmas pantomime Beauty and the Beast and in 2022, I will be hitting the road again with Jonathan Ansell to take our Les Musicals show around the UK.

Jai McDowall is performing at BarnFest in Cirencester on 20-21 August at 8pm with tickets available here, and more information/tickets for the UK tour of Come What May are available here.