West End performer Nicholas Collier has previously worked on shows such as The Book of Mormon and Wicked, and has most recently performed at Kilworth House Theatre in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Nicholas will be playing the role of Captain Hook in Horsham’s 2019 pantomime Peter Pan which runs at The Capitol Theatre from 13th December until 5th January. Chatting with Nicholas, we find out about his time in Wicked, what he’ll bring to his role of Captain Hook and playing the villain.

Have you done pantomime before and what will you bring to your role of Captain Hook?

Yes, I have done panto before. My first one was when I was a child dancer in Aladdin, I’ve also done Cinderella where I was Understudy Prince Charming, then I understudied Peter Pan when I left college, and now I’m Captain Hook – clearly aged badly! Captain Hook is usually a bit of an older character, so I’m going to bring some youth and full-out dancing and singing. He’s not going to be on the sidelines this year, he’s going to be very much involved, so it’s going to be funny!

What are you looking forward to for playing the villain?

I can’t wait to be hissed and booed as soon as I come on stage! I’ve always wanted to be the villain!

What do you think you’ll find the most challenging aspect of this role?

That’s a very good question. Probably making sure I have the hook on the right hand or making sure I don’t forget it. If I come on stage with two hands, then that would be an issue!

What was it like meeting the rest of the cast members for the first time?

I’ve worked with Hywel Dowsell (Dame) before as we both did Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kilworth House quite recently. Everyone else is also lovely, we’re going to have a real laugh, I can just tell from the photoshoot as we’re having banter and jokes already.

You’ve also done West End theatre, how different do you think this will be?

There are a few extra shows a week, so that will be different. Having come from The Book of Mormon and Joseph, which are very happy and smiley shows, it will be very different playing the villain. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to start.

Can you tell us about appearing in The Book of Mormon and Wicked?

Wicked was brilliant. I was a Swing, which meant I covered nine parts altogether, so it was very taxing on the old brain. It was a lot of fun and I’m glad I got to do all the parts from Chistery the Monkey, right to the dad character at the beginning who sings. Doing everything in that show is great. I did a total of four contracts there.

The Book of Mormon was my next dream show. Understudying the parts of Joseph Smith and Jesus was such a laugh. It couldn’t be more different to panto because it’s so crude and lewd, it’s very, very funny.

What do you love about performing on stage?

I have always loved the escapism of theatre. You could have had the most stressful day or had a really hard week, but as soon as you get on stage, it’s all cancelled and you’ve got somewhere to escape for a couple of hours and forget all your troubles. It’s healing for both the performer and the audience because it’s a chance to escape and turn your phone off. That’s why I love performing – it’s unlike any job in the world because you go out there and pretend to be someone else, and you get paid to do it!

Why would you recommend audiences see Peter Pan?

I would recommend audiences to see Peter Pan because it’s going to be one hell of a show! It’s going to be a big production with great numbers, we have incredible singers, and it’s going to be a real laugh. Come and have a laugh for a couple of hours! I’m looking forward to starting.

PETER PAN starts 13th December and runs until 5th January at The Capitol Theatre, Horsham.

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