Currently, David Hunter is performing at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End, playing Henry in The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical, which is currently booking until 30th March, after originating the role for the show’s world premiere in 2022 at Storyhouse in Chester. The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical is directed by Bill Buckhurst, with music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart, and David was part of the cast recording alongside his co-star Joanna Woodward as Clare. David was in the original West End cast of Waitress the Musical as Dr Pomatter and reprised his role for the UK tour, and during his time in the show, he worked closely with Katharine McPhee, Lucie Jones and Chelsea Halfpenny, who each had a run playing Jenna Hunterson. Further stage projects for David have included playing Charlie Price in Kinky Boots, taking over the role of Guy in Once for his West End lead character debut and being in the cast of One Man, Two Guvnors at the National Theatre and in the West End. Alongside his stage career, David was part of the feature film Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?!, reached the semi-final on ITV’s Superstar and, as a music artist, he has released two original EPs – Silver Linings and Play – and with his band Reemer, he supported McFly on their arena tour. Speaking with us, David told us about playing Henry in The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical at the Apollo Theatre, originating the role in the world premiere in 2022 and being in the original West End cast of Waitress the Musical as Dr Pomatter.

You are currently starring in The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical as Henry at the Apollo Theatre in the West End, can you tell us about the show and your character?

I can! The Time Traveller’s Wife is the story of Henry, a time travelling librarian, and his wife Clare. It’s about their life together and all the highs and lows that we all experience in relationships… but with the added complication of time travel!

How was it being part of the world premiere production at Storyhouse in Chester in 2022 and how is it originating the role of Henry?

It’s a real thrill. I’ve always dreamed of originating a role in a new musical – especially one of this scale. The workshop process and the run at Storyhouse were both incredibly exciting. I love watching creatives at work and there’s so many talented folk who contributed to this production. One highlight was witnessing Joss Stone writing Journeyman during one workshop, it was incredibly exciting to see this epic song appear before my very eyes!

How were rehearsals for the West End run and what is it like being directed by Bill Buckhurst?

They were great! Mainly because of Bill himself, he’s such a generous, warm and, most importantly, CALM director. There are so many elements to this show with the scenes, songs, choreography, illusions and video screen, but his energy makes for a lovely working environment – and that’s continued into the West End run. The cast are so warm, generous and bloody talented too!

How was it hearing Joss Stone and Dave Stewart’s music for the first time and what is it like working with the rest of the cast, which includes Joanna Woodward as Clare?

Dave and Joss have been brilliant, it was wonderful discovering the music for the first time and getting to add our own stamp to it. They were a joy in the studio too. Making the cast recording was such an exciting time and I’m so proud of it. The cast are fab! Because of our time at Chester Storyhouse in 2022, it felt like a lovely, big reunion when we joined up again for the West End run.

How much did you know about The Time Traveller’s Wife before booking the role and why would you recommend seeing the musical at the Apollo Theatre?

I didn’t know too much about it before the workshops – and in truth, I was a little scared to research too much in case they didn’t give me the job long term! It felt safer to keep it at arm’s length. But once things started rolling forward a little more, I delved into the book which our musical is incredibly faithful to.

What are you enjoying most about performing as Henry in London and how is it getting into character?

I think the roller coaster of it all! Jo and I rarely leave the stage for the two hours, and if we do we’re usually getting changed as fast as humanly possible! So it’s a wild ride, full of challenges and high emotion, which makes it a real adventure every time.

You played Dr Pomatter in the original West End cast of Waitress the Musical and reprised your role for the UK Tour, what was the show like to be part of and was there anything that drew you to the musical?

Waitress was the most fun I’ve ever had with a show. Playing Dr Pomatter offered the perfect balance of great songs, hilarious scenes and plenty of time backstage to drink tea and mess about with the cast while Jenna did all the hard work! It really was a joyous time and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

What was Dr Pomatter like to play and what are some of your favourite highlights from your time involved with Waitress?

It was a hoot! I basically knew that if I was having fun, the audience was too. It gave me the chance to be my most awkward, bumbling self, but with some beautifully sincere scenes and those brilliant songs thrown in too. There were constant highlights to be honest, but the real purple patch was when Joe Sugg was part of the cast. We just had so much fun backstage; it made going to work an absolute joy! I couldn’t wait to find out what we’d be doing that night. Such a wonderfully happy time.

Do you have any stand-out memories from playing Charlie Price in Kinky Boots that you can tell us about?

Well, there was much less time to mess about in that show. I rarely left the stage, and the energy never dropped. You may remember, there’s a dance routine on treadmills, while singing! Director Jerry Mitchell demands you go “full out” and we always did. I’ve never been fitter! In truth, it was the most challenging thing I’ve ever had to do, mainly because I started the show when my son was eight weeks old and I basically didn’t sleep for the entire run. I’m not really sure how I managed it!

How was it taking over the role of Guy in Once in the West End?

A dream come true. That was my first West End lead role, and in a musical based on my all-time favourite movie and soundtrack. The fact they made Once into a musical and that I was vaguely the right age to play the role, still feels unreal to me. I loved it.

As a music artist, you have released two original EPs – Silver Linings and Play – what were they both like to write and record and how is it seeing the response to your original music?

Songwriting is so important to me. It’s always been my therapy! I love having a creative outlet that hasn’t become my job. I do it purely for the joy and I’m just incredibly lucky that there’s a group of people who look forward to and enjoy my music. It gives me a decent reason to release it. But in truth, I’ll write music forever, long after everyone’s stopped paying attention. I have a few musical projects bustling along in the background at the minute and I’m so excited to release them into the world.

Can you tell us about some of the other shows and projects you’ve been part of over your career so far, which have included Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?!, One Man, Two Guvnors at the National Theatre and in the West End, ITV’s Superstar, and supporting McFly on their arena tour with your band Reemer?

What a list, eh! All of them were highlights in their own way. Nativity 3 makes me famous at my kids’ school every Christmas. One Man, Two Guvnors brought me to London and gave me a chance to see some unbelievable performers and creatives in action. I learned so much there. Superstar was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a total joy. I reached the semi-finals and the whole thing was just mind-blowing! As was the arena tour with McFly – another once in a lifetime gig. We lived on Tom Jones’ old tour bus and performed for tens of thousands of people every night, none of whom we had to invite. Unreal.

Where does your love of acting and music come from and how did you get into both?

I’m not sure, I always loved art growing up and we were all certain I’d become an artist later in life, but I started doing drama classes and writing songs and people started applauding. You don’t get that when you’re drawing alone in a room! Perhaps I was seduced by the attention, but the constant is my love of making things. I don’t even mind what it is. Last year, I directed a music video, designed merch for a huge (and currently secret!) company, recorded original music, wrote a new musical and released a book. I just love making stuff.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

The musical I loved watching the most was Merrily We Roll Along a few years back. It just really hit me. I’d love to watch Operation Mincemeat. It’s the problem with being in shows, you never have time to see them!

How do you like to spend your time away from your career?

I love being with my family, my gorgeous kids, going on adventures with them. I love watching Burnley FC (excluding the current, horrendous season) with my dad and my brother. And I love making stuff! It’s funny when your hobbies become your job! My career is my hobby, my hobby is my career.

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