In the UK & Ireland Tour of & Juliet, Ben Jackson Walker is making his UK theatre debut playing Romeo (taking over from Jack Danson), having previously played the role in the original Toronto and Broadway runs, which also marked Ben’s professional theatre debut. & Juliet – which is a jukebox musical featuring music by Max Martin – is currently open at Regent Theatre in Stoke until 17th May before heading to Sheffield, Newcastle, Truro and Cardiff, and Ben is working alongside Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet, Jay McGuiness as Shakespeare, Lara Denning as Anne and Kyle Cox as Francois. As a screen actor, Ben played Gary in Honor Society for Paramount+ and has worked on episodes of Orange Is the New Black as Deacon and Evil as Clayton Salmon. We caught up with Ben about originating the role of Romeo in & Juliet in Toronto and on Broadway, reprising his role for the current UK & Ireland Tour and what he’s enjoying about making his UK theatre debut in the Max Martin musical.
What was it like meeting the UK & Ireland Tour cast of & Juliet for the first time and how was it hearing the news that you’d be taking over the role of Romeo for your UK theatre debut?
I thought I had said goodbye to Romeo forever when I first left, so it immediately felt like it was an old friend coming back into my life. I was really nervous to meet everyone, but they were all so lovely and warm and welcoming and I felt like part of the family from the beginning.
Having played Romeo in the original Toronto and Broadway casts of & Juliet, what is Romeo like to play and how is it getting into character?
It’s one of those roles that I feel like you have to have a big dance party in your dressing room before going on stage. I try not to take myself in the role too seriously but, when I’m on stage, Romeo feels everything so much, so even though I’m only in the show for one act I feel like I get to have a complete emotional journey.
How different is it performing in the musical in the UK opposed to Canada and America, and what are you enjoying most about touring the country?
Audience responses are slightly different, I find that UK audiences find specific moments funnier than they do in America. I’m enjoying being outside of my comfort zone everywhere I go, and finding unexpected pockets of the cities I’d never go to on my own.
Can you tell us about some of your favourite highlights from working on & Juliet so far, which has seen you perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with your Broadway cast members?
Highlights so far: opening night on Broadway, sharing my Broadway debut with 14 other members of the cast, having different friends and family come to see the show through the years and see me realise my dream that I have had since I was nine years old.
Do you remember how you felt finding out you’d booked the role of Romeo in the Broadway transfer for your professional theatre debut and what was it like being part of a new Broadway production?
I put on one of my favourite albums by the band Big Thief and walked around a state park and cried. Perfect moment.
What are you looking forward to most for continuing your run in the UK & Ireland Tour of & Juliet?
Pride in Cardiff.
Also a screen actor, you played Gary in the Paramount+ film Honor Society, how would you describe the character and how was it taking on the role?
The character was like a mixture of Sharpay and Ryan in the High School Musical films and it was very special for me to play the role because I got to play a queer character who falls in love on screen.
How was it filming for an episode of Orange Is the New Black as Deacon and Evil as Clayton Salmon?
A huge learning curve because I didn’t know anything about being on set or in front of a camera.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get started in the industry?
My love came from imitating my favourite characters in movies growing up, especially Napoleon Dynamite.
Have you been given any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you?
I had a professor in college who challenged me to always be curious and look for art that challenges me, rather than what is comfortable or easy.
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