This month, Andrew Coshan will take on the starring role of William Thatcher in A Knight’s Tale The Musical, which is based on the 2001 film A Knight’s Tale, with Andrew’s character being played by Heath Ledger in the film. A Knight’s Tale The Musical is currently in rehearsals for the world premiere production, with the musical following William Thatcher – a peasant who wants to compete in jousting competitions for nobles, and Andrew is working with a cast including Oliver Tompsett as Count Adhemar, Meesha Turner as Jocelyn and Emily Benjamin as Kate, and the show opens on 11th April at Manchester Opera House, and will run until 10th May. Having moved to the United Kingdom from Australia in June 2024, Andrew made his London theatre debut in A Face in the Crowd at the Young Vic from September to November as Ensemble and understudy lead character Lonesome Rhodes (which was played by Ramin Karimloo). Andrew graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2018, and had his first production in A View From The Bridge, going on to perform in shows such as Into the Woods and Groundhog Day. Also having screen experience, Andrew played River Hannlon in episodes of Australian soap Neighbours in 2020. Chatting with Andrew, he talks about starring as William Thatcher in A Knight’s Tale The Musical, preparing to open at the Manchester Opera House on 11th April, making his London theatre debut in A Face in the Crowd and being part of the Australian premiere of Groundhog Day at the Princess Theatre.
You will be starring as William Thatcher in the upcoming run of A Knight’s Tale The Musical at the Manchester Opera House, what are you looking forward to for performing in the musical?
Being a part of something new is incredibly exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing how the first audiences receive the show and how we will mould it accordingly to make the best show we can. It’s so thrilling! I can’t wait to begin sharing the show with Manchester audiences.
How are you finding the experience so far rehearsing for the world premiere production and working with the rest of the cast and creative team?
I’m loving it! The cast, crew and creative team are all wonderful. We have so much fun in the rehearsal room while putting this massive show together. It’s truly a dream team.
For those unfamiliar with A Knight’s Tale, can you say about the show and your character?
It’s basically ‘a medieval sports film’ on stage (though it’s much more than that). It’s an underdog story which follows William, a peasant, who wants to compete in competitive jousting competitions, but only nobles can compete. A lie that begins as the only way to make enough money to eat, becomes an epic journey to the World Jousting Championships!
What is William like to play?
William is incredibly fun to play. He’s the centre of our story and so I have almost no time off stage. While on stage, I joust and duel other knights, which is very hard work, but he also gets to fall in love and follow his dreams and travel the world with his best friends. There’s so much to love about it, but I will definitely be exhausted after every show! It’s joyous work, but very challenging as well.
Was there anything that drew you to the production and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the starring character, originating the role played by Heath Ledger in the 2001 film?
I loved the film growing up, one of my favourite films of all-time, so when I saw the show was auditioning, I knew I had to be a part of it, so to be offered the role was a dream come true in so many ways. To me, Heath will always be the original and definitive William Thatcher. To get to play this role is an honour and I just hope that by bringing this show into 2025 it will inspire a new wave of people to go back and watch the film for the first time, see his performance and be inspired by his incredible work, just like I have been.
Who do you think A Knight’s Tale The Musical will appeal to, and why would you recommend booking tickets to see the show, which is booking in Manchester until 10th May?
This musical has something for everyone. Firstly, the music is banger after banger, the audience is guaranteed to be up out of their seats, dancing and singing along. The script is VERY FUNNY. The comedy from the film has been turned right up and we will have the audience in stitches night after night. We have action: jousting and sword fighting on stage. The choreography and dancing is 11/10. There has never been a show like this before and there probably never will be again. It’s a MUST-SEE for sure.
From September to November 2024, you were in the Ensemble of A Face in the Crowd at the Young Vic, how did you find the experience making your London theatre debut?
It’s been a dream of mine to perform professionally in the UK for a long time so it was a dream come true to make my debut. Also, originating a new piece was incredibly exciting. Workshopping and getting to be a part of the development of a show is very artistically rewarding. Another reason why I’m loving A Knight’s Tale so much.
What did you enjoy most about performing in A Face in the Crowd?
I was fortunate enough to understudy the lead role, Lonesome Rhodes, which was played by an actor I’ve looked up to for years, Ramin Karimloo. To get to work with him and watch him create this character gave me ‘pinch me’ moments every day. Incredibly inspiring and educational.
What was it like being in the cast of the Australian premiere of Groundhog Day at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne last year?
One of the greatest experiences of my life. I love that show, and the company I got to work with were the best of the best. I would go back and do it again in a second. The show has so much heart, it’ll make you laugh, cry and change you for the better.
Can you tell us about your time playing Rapunzel’s Prince & Lucinda in Into the Woods at Belvoir St Theatre in 2023?
Performing Sondheim is one of my favourite things to do. But this was hard. The combination of playing a Prince and an Ugly Stepsister was a lot to do at once. And what’s more is that I also played percussion during many of my off stage moments. It was a very peculiar production which led to many unique challenges. I’d definitely never before had to play the drums while in a wig, a dress and heels, and underdressing a prince costume.
Was there anything that encouraged you to attend Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and how was it training there?
WAAPA is the premier musical theatre course in the southern hemisphere. Hugh Jackman studied there. Need I say more?
Since graduating in 2018, you have been part of many other shows including A Christmas Carol, The Phantom of the Opera, Anyone Can Whistle, A View From The Bridge, Jersey Boys and Thoroughly Modern Millie, what are some of your stand-out highlights from your theatre career so far?
If I had to pick one, I would have to go with A View From The Bridge. This play is one of the modern classics and this production truly changed my life. I learned so much and, as a fresh graduate, I couldn’t have asked for a better first gig. I also received a nomination for Best Supporting Performance for this role!
On screen, you played River Hannlon in episodes of Neighbours in 2020, how was it filming for a long-running soap opera?
These types of shows move very quickly, so you have to deliver on the first take or two. It’s quite daunting to begin with but very exciting once you get into the groove. When I was filming, we had a lot of COVID restrictions which added some challenges. We couldn’t hand props to another actor or have any physical contact. In certain scenes we had to be very creative to stage them so it wasn’t obvious that everyone was trying to stay 2m away from each other!
How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
I’ve always been theatrical, but I didn’t start acting or singing really until I was 18. If I’m really honest with myself, I think what planted the seed as a kid was seeing Zac Efron in High School Musical.
Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch, and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?
I love watching shows. I only moved to London in June but have seen about 20 shows since then. I still have a few to get to though, Cabaret and Operation Mincemeat are next on my list. I still can’t believe how much theatre there is in London compared to back home!
How do you like to spend your free time?
I haven’t had any in a while, now I’m just using it to rest by body and calm my mind. Rewatching Breaking Bad at the moment though! It’s even better the second time round.
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