Currently, Dexter Barry is on the Asia Tour of School of Rock, playing the role of drummer Freddy, and last year, he played Louis Leonowens in The King and I on the UK & Ireland Tour. In 2022, Dexter made his West End debut playing Michael Hobbs in Elf the Musical at the Dominion Theatre, and further projects have seen Dexter originate the role of Paul Rawlins in the world premiere of Bedknobs and Broomsticks the Musical, play Gavroche on the UK and International Tour of Les Misérables, and he recorded at the Master Chord Studio in London for The Robbie Sherman Songbook. We chatted to Dexter about joining the cast of School of Rock on the Asia Tour as Freddy, his time as Louis Leonowens in The King and I and originating the role of Paul Rawlins in the world premiere of Bedknobs and Broomsticks the Musical.

How does it feel to be joining the Asia Tour of School of Rock as Freddy and what are you looking forward to for continuing the run?

I am thrilled to be joining the cast of School of Rock touring Asia and I feel incredibly lucky. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see more of the world, and to play Freddy is a dream role as I have been learning to play the drums for six years. The Korean audiences have been phenomenal so far and I am looking forward to seeing more new places and ‘sticking it to the man’ on stage throughout 2024!

How much did you know about School of Rock before booking your role and was there anything that drew you to the musical?

I watched School of Rock in London in 2020 and really loved the show. The children all had such great energy and were amazing at playing their instruments. I definitely wanted to be able to play the drums like Freddy! Sadly, my school is nothing like Horace Green! I would love a teacher like Dewey Finn.

What has it been like rehearsing for the show and what is Freddy like to play?

It has been very exciting but also hard work rehearsing and performing in the show. We have to do tutoring while we are away and so I have a lot of schoolwork to keep up with and living away from my family can be tough at times. I like playing Freddy because I get to sing as well as playing the drums. He is a very vibrant and lively character so it’s really fun and I get to knee slide into the stage during the bows!

Is there anything you are enjoying most about working on School of Rock and how is it performing with the rest of the cast?

The show is really fun to be part of. The cast and crew are very friendly, supportive and talented and that makes this show really special. It is an amazing experience to perform in another country and I am enjoying visiting all the tourist attractions, trying Korean food and learning about a different culture.

Last year, you were touring as Louis Leonowens in The King and I, what was the show like to be part of and how was it getting into character?

The King and I was a very different sort of show to be part of as it was set in Siam in 1862. The costumes were very smart and they had lots of pieces to put on. Louis is a rather quiet and serious character in comparison to other roles I have played. I enjoyed revisiting many of the cities in the UK that I had previously been to on tour.

How was it playing Michael Hobbs in Elf the Musical at the Dominion Theatre in 2022 and making your West End debut with the production?

Performing at the Dominion Theatre was an amazing experience. My favourite part of the show was singing There is a Santa Claus with Rebecca Lock and, of course, when it snowed on stage! It was so special getting to experience being in the West End over the Christmas period with all the lights and decorations.

How did you find the experience being involved with the world premiere of Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks the Musical and originating the role of Paul Rawlins on stage?

Bedknobs and Broomsticks started rehearsals just as the world was emerging from lockdown so I was extremely excited to be chosen for the role of Paul Rawlins. The cast and creative team were such lovely people and it was lots of fun creating my own version of Paul. In the production, I got to fly on a magic bed and watch people change into rabbits!! The special effects and magic were incredible.

Paul and his sister Carrie go through a lot in the show and I enjoyed acting out his emotions on stage.

What was it like reading the script and hearing the musical numbers for the first time?

The musical numbers by the Sherman Brothers and Neil Bartram are exceptional and my favourite moments in the show were singing Bobbing Along (The Beautiful Briny) at the beginning of act two and singing Miss Price at the beginning of act one. The script (written by Brian Hill) has a different ending to the original film so it was great to see people’s reactions at the end of the show. Paul has some great comedy lines in the show and I enjoyed making the audience laugh!

Do you have any favourite memories from your time as Gavroche on the UK and International Tour of Les Misérables?

This was the first show I got cast in at just turned nine years old. I have so many great memories from my time with Les Mis. Once, the barricade caught on fire while I was playing dead at the front of the stage. A cast member had to come and wake me up from my fake death so I could get off the stage while they put it out! I remember travelling all the way to Norwich and then finding out that theatres were being closed because of COVID. It was a long wait before they reopened.

Can you tell us what it was like working on The Robbie Sherman Songbook in 2022?

Robbie is such an inspiration. It was so exciting recording the tracks at Master Chord Studio in London. This was my first experience of professional recording and I loved every second. I would definitely like to record more songs in the future if I get the chance.

How did you get into acting and performing and was it something you always wanted to do professionally?

My parents noticed that I could sing at the age of three and so they sent me to a local performing arts class when I was six. It was my teacher at PlatformYP, Tracey Eley, that sparked the love of musical theatre and she was the person who encouraged me to audition for Gavroche when I was eight. So, I auditioned and joined Daisy and Dukes agency and now I am completely hooked and look forward to pursuing it as a career, either on stage or in the pit.

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?

My favourite show currently playing in London is The Little Big Things. It has fantastic music and is such a beautiful story. I love listening to the music from Beetlejuice and Hamilton and I really want to watch them in the near future.

Is there anything you enjoy most about performing and can you tell us about your training?

I enjoy entertaining people and it’s a great feeling standing on stage when the audience is applauding. I attend Platform Young Professionals in Wokingham and, for the past two years, I have been part of GSA Junior Conservatoire. I also take tap lessons and have private drum and singing lessons.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend my free time learning to play my instruments. I am learning piano and classical guitar as well as the drums. I spend lots of time singing and I enjoy roller skating and playing with my friends on my Xbox.

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