As part of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures company, Will Bozier most recently played Luca in The Car Man at the Royal Albert Hall, with performances through June. While Will was playing The Swan/Stranger in Swan Lake, the show was filmed for a cinema release and he performed at the Olivier Awards, and in 2018, he played Harry the Pilot in Cinderella. Since making his New Adventures debut as Brad and Chase Covitt in Edward Scissorhands, Will has since toured with Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty as King Benedict and Lord Rupert, and he was in the original cast of The Red Shoes tour in the UK, Asia and USA. In Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Will was an original cast member as Swing and Dance Captain in the West End, and his further theatre credits have included Wicked for his West End debut and the International Tour of MAMMA MIA! as Ensemble and cover Eddie. It has now been announced that Will will be joining the West End cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre from October 17th. Recently, Will told us about performing as Luca in Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man, his time in Swan Lake and being Dance Captain and Swing in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella.
How did the recent run of Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man go at the Royal Albert Hall and what was Luca like to perform as?
It was an incredible experience. To perform the role of Luca at the Royal Albert Hall, with such an incredible cast, was a real highlight of my career. The role of Luca is such a strong and iconic role. I had so much fun performing it!
How was it performing at the Royal Albert Hall and seeing the audience response to the show?
It was an honour to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. It is such a majestic venue, that you can’t help but get goosebumps as soon as you walk on stage. With it being so grand, I wasn’t sure how the audiences would respond. Usually The Car Man has a smaller cast, set etc but I think with the added cast and all, it added to the experience of the show and the audiences loved it!
Do you have any stand-out highlights from playing Luca in The Car Man?
I think the experience as a whole was a massive highlight. Also, to be back working with Matt and everyone at New Adventures was a highlight.
Can you tell us about playing The Swan/Stranger in Swan Lake for New Adventures and what was it like performing at the Olivier Awards?
Well, where to start? From being a young boy, I always wanted to play the role of The Swan/Stranger. Growing up, watching Adam Cooper in Swan Lake was one of the main reasons I wanted to dance. It is such an iconic role and I was honoured when Matt asked me to perform the role at the Oliviers. It was an incredible experience which I will be forever thankful for.
How was it having the production filmed for a cinema release and how was it working with the rest of the cast?
It was incredible! To have yourself filmed in your dream role is a dream come true. To hopefully inspire young performers (like I was) to know you can achieve your dream is awesome. Also, to be able to show my daughter (when she is older) that this is what her father accomplished is amazing. The cast, creatives and crew were phenomenal and supportive as always. It was an honour to share the stage with them.
In 2018, you played Harry the Pilot in Cinderella, how was this?
I loved it. Obviously the movement is brilliant, but my favourite part was the storytelling.
What was it like touring UK, Asia and USA in The Red Shoes and can you tell us about your time in the show?
I love touring. To be paid to do what I love and see the world is win win. The places that NA go are awesome and have wonderful fans across the world. Being part of the original cast of The Red Shoes was great. To able to help create a brand new show was a bucket list moment for me. To be a part of the creative process was pretty cool and a first for me.
You toured UK and Asia in Sleeping Beauty, what was it like to play King Benedict and Lord Rupert?
Again, I really enjoyed it. All Matt’s shows vary in dance, style and acting. Sleeping Beauty has a wide variety of dance styles, so it was great to be a part of it.
You made your debut with Matthew Bourne/New Adventures in 2014 as Brad and Chase Covitt in Edward Scissorhands, what are some of your favourite memories from working on this production?
I did. I LOVE this show. Not only does it have incredible dancing, the individual stories from each character and family are what really make this show special. Matt’s storytelling through movement is amazing to watch, but to perform is next level. I have so many fond memories of this show and I would love to one day perform in it again.
As an original cast member of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, what was it like being part of the cast?
I had a great time on the show. It had its ups and its down but on the whole it was a great experience for me. To be in an original West End production, Swing and dance captain were all on my bucket list. I was lucky enough to tick them all off in one show. Made some wonderful new friends on and off stage, which was a highlight for me.
Is there anything you enjoyed most about being Dance Captain for the musical?
I enjoy a challenge, and this was a big challenge. Obviously, we were still going through COVID times. So not only was there sickness, injuries and holiday to contend with, but COVID as well. So at times we had 13/14 people off. So myself and the other DC had to try and figure out the puzzle of getting the show up and running. It was a great challenge and I really enjoyed it and would love to be DC again.
You made your West End debut as an Ensemble member in Wicked, what was it like booking your role in the show and how did you find your time at the Apollo Victoria Theatre?
Wicked was, again, a show I grew up watching and listening to. So to get the chance to make my West End debut in it was awesome. I spent two years with the show. I made some lifelong friends and met my wife there. So it will always have a special place in my heart.
After graduating, you toured internationally in MAMMA MIA! as Ensemble and cover Eddie for your professional debut, how did you find the experience?
It was AWESOME. As I said earlier, to be paid to do what I love and see the world, I couldn’t have asked for a better first job. It was eye-opening. Touring is very different to being in town. I had no idea about per diems, booking digs or paying taxes. But luckily I had an amazing group of people who showed me the way forward and I will be forever grateful to them for it.
What was it like filming for Disney’s 2015 release of Beauty and the Beast?
It was a new experience for me. I had never done any filming before. So it showed me a whole new side of what we do. I am a big Disney fan as well, so to be able to say I am in a Disney film is an incredible feeling.
Where does your love of dance and theatre come from and had you always wanted to train at ArtsEd – Tring Park?
I actually started to go to dance lessons with my sister. Then one day, one of the teachers spoke to my mum about ArtsEd. My family had no idea what it was or anything. So I went for an audition and got in. I loved it.
What are some of your favourite theatre/dance shows to watch and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?
That’s a tough question. I have been lucky enough to do some of my favourite shows already like Swan Lake, Wicked and The Car Man. I have always loved Jersey Boys and would love to one day be a part of it. Also, Parade is another favourite of mine.
Do you have any upcoming plans that you can tell us about?
Yes! I am lucky enough to be joining Moulin Rouge! The Musical in the West End from October, which I am incredibly excited to be joining! We are currently in rehearsals and open at the Piccadilly Theatre on October 17th!
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