In 2023, Jack Sherran was part of the China Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Love Never Dies, playing Gustave, with his final performance last November. For Jack’s professional stage debut, he performed as Young Merrill in the UK Tour of The Osmonds, and he appeared with Jay Osmond at the Palace Theatre & Opera House in Manchester for ITV News. Jack has recorded as the singing voice for Young Robbie Williams in the upcoming biographical feature film Better Man, which was directed by Michael Gracey and is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, ahead of a cinema release. Answering our questions, Jack spoke about touring as Gustave in Love Never Dies in China, making his professional stage debut as Young Merrill in The Osmonds and recording the singing voice of Young Robbie Williams in Better Man.

Most recently on stage, you played Gustave in the China Tour of Love Never Dies, was there anything that drew you to the production?

Well, I love The Phantom of the Opera, so the idea of being in the sequel was really exciting for me. Also, the fact that it was touring in China, a country that I had always wanted to visit.

How would you describe Gustave and what was it like getting into character?

Gustave is an adventurous, energetic child so I really had to channel my inner ten year old while on stage even though, off stage, I was starting to go through a lot of changes with my voice and my height and stuff, so it was definitely hard.

How did you find the experience touring China and what was it like being part of the cast?

China was really cool, I got to try lots of new food and it was fascinating how different their country is to ours. And I feel so honoured to have been a part of this production with such an amazing cast and crew. They are all just so talented.

What did you enjoy most about working on an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and what are some of your favourite highlights from the tour?

The best thing about working on an ALW musical was getting to perform his beautifully written music in the score of Love Never Dies. And my two favourite highlights of the tour were 1. The Sitzprobe – a Sitzprobe is when the actors and the orchestra of a musical play together for the first time – it was amazing. And 2. My first performance – the first live performance I did was an open dress rehearsal and I had no idea it was supposed to be in front of an audience. But after the performance, I was full of adrenaline and it went really well.

What was it like making your professional stage debut in 2022 in the UK Tour of The Osmonds as Young Merrill?

It was terrifying. Even though I knew the show really well and I had been dreaming of this moment for ages, it was still really scary. But once I got on stage, it all went smoothly and I had a great time.

What was Young Merrill like to portray and how did you prepare for taking on the role?

In the show, Young Merrill struggles with a stutter. So, to prepare for that, I just practised stuttering in normal conversations, which confused a lot of people.

Do you have a favourite song in the musical and what was the music and choreography like to perform?

My favourite song I got to perform in The Osmonds was a song called The Old Auctioneer, which the Osmond brothers sang on The Andy Williams Show when they were children. It is a challenging one as it is sung in barbershop harmony and is very fast. And the choreography was really fun.

How was it being interviewed on ITV News at the Palace Theatre & Opera House in Manchester and appearing with Jay Osmond?

It was really great – the Manchester Palace is a theatre I grew up watching shows at and performing and getting interviewed there was just surreal.

You have recorded as the voice of Young Robbie Williams in the upcoming biographical feature film Better Man, how was this?

It was incredible getting to be the singing voice of a young Robbie Williams as he has an amazing voice, is a brilliant performer and I got to sing some hit songs of his. It was also great to work with Michael Gracey, director of The Greatest Showman. And we recorded in the band McFly’s studio as well!

Where does your love of acting and performing come from and how did you get into it?

I started going to Stagecoach when I was four to build up confidence – I was a shy kid. And I started doing shows and it became something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Can you tell us about your training?

I do lots of different training, I go to the gym frequently with my dad to build up the strength for dancing, I go to Elm Arts twice a week and have a lesson with Cameron, my singing teacher, who has taught me for ages and pushes me to do the best I can. I also take classes at LeBlanc and Actors Umbrella to help me with my screen acting.

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?

I loved seeing Hadestown, The Book of Mormon and Next to Normal and I am really excited to see Les Misérables and Phantom soon.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Going to the gym, playing football, learning new songs and playing video games.

Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you?

‘Hard Work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’. One of my dance teachers, Nancy, told me that.

What are you hoping the next year brings for your career and do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about?

I’ve had some close calls this year and I’m trying to focus on screen roles right now as I am too old for most children’s theatre roles now.

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