Interview: Jake Quickenden on playing Willard in the FOOTLOOSE UK tour

Photo credit: Rosie Powell

Hit musical Footloose continues to hot-foot its way across the country and currently features TV and theatre star, Jake Quickenden. We caught up with Jake earlier on in the tour to see how he feels about being part of such a fan favourite.

So Jake, how are things going with you at the moment?

Yeah, great thanks! I joined the Footloose tour after its Zurich run so I rehearsed on my own originally before joining up with the cast and we started together on Valentine's Day, which my missus wasn’t very happy about! It’s such an amazing show, the cast is unbelievable.

Before we start talk more about Footloose, what made you want to go into performing as a career?

Well, I've always been a bit of an attention seeker. If I’m honest, I started out pursuing a career in football. I love the environment and the competitiveness of it and sports have always been a huge part of my life. But I started singing when I was about 22, I began by performing in a few pantomimes and thought I wanted to take it further. I was able to go on a six-month UK tour with Hair the Musical and it made me realise how much I love live theatre and performing in musicals.

You're performing in Footloose until July. Is that correct? 

Yeah until July, I finish in Edinburgh. I can’t do the last three venues because I'm getting married. It's a long tour but it's what we love doing so I can't complain!

Live performance is something that was greatly missed during the pandemic but now it’s back. How does it feel?

I think a lot of people realised how much they missed the theatre when shows weren’t playing. It's unfortunate that it took something like Covid and the theatres to be shut down for people to realise how much they miss live performance but we’re back! So we’re going to put on a great show that hopefully everyone will enjoy and they’ll leave with a huge smile on their faces saying “that’s why we love live theatre.”  

For those who may not have seen the film, or potentially haven't even heard of Footloose, what can audiences expect from this musical?

Just high octane fun, a lot of great dancing and singing, and plenty of laughs. It's a really uplifting upbeat show with a lot of hidden messages in it as well. I think people can get stuck in their ways but you can always keep growing and I think that's what the show says. Footloose is about going against the grain, being yourself and doing what you want to do. 

It's pure escapism, isn't it? 

100%. If people come to this show and they don't laugh, smile or sing along, then I'll be very worried! It is escapism and people can get lost in the show and believe that they're in Beaumont for a few hours. That's what we're hoping to achieve with the performance. I got the chance to watch the show when I was out in Zurich and I actually sat there and thought, wow, I actually get to be in this show and that excited me so much.

How did you feel joining the cast once the show was somewhat established?

Well, I was able to spend a week with the cast and and we all got on really well. I think for them, it kept it fresh as well because there was a new person coming in. I don't play the role the same as anyone else who has played it either, so it keeps them on their toes!

As well as people that have performed the role of Willard in the past, you've also got the film that the show is based on. How have you incorporated that into your performance? If at all?

I went with my own interpretation of the role, really. A lot of people think that Willard is stupid but I don’t think he is. I just think he's content with what he has in life and he's never really wanted anything more until Ren comes along and shows him there’s much more out there. So for me, he’s just been stuck in his ways. I want to portray him as somebody who's on a bit of a journey.  Obviously Willard’s the comedy character so I've got a lot of funny lines but I feel like he’s got to have layers to him as well. 

Are there any specific tour locations that you're really looking forward to bringing this show to? 

I like performing everywhere to be honest; every crowds different. I do like the northern areas such as Manchester, just because I’m a northern boy so it's like being at home.

Having won your respective series, did you get chance to watch the latest series of Dancing on Ice and what would your words of encouragement been for the contestants?

I watched a couple of episodes and it was a very high standard this year. Hard work beats talent, you can be good at something but if somebody works harder than you then it’s not always enough. I wasn’t the best dancer or skater at the beginning, but I think I worked harder than everyone else training wise. Maybe that’s why I finished where I did so I’d say, don't rest on your laurels.

Great advice for those working towards going to drama school as well.

Definitely and at the end of the day, you're going to drama school because you love it but don't rest on that. Keep going, keep working harder and always strive to be the best in your class.

What are you most excited for audiences to see in Footloose or for them to take away after they've seen it?

I just hope they leave with a huge smile on their face, that's all I really want. 

Jake Quickenden stars in Footloose until July, with tickets for select venues on the tour available here.