With the world premiere of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical opening this month at Manchester Opera House, Kevin Yates will be in the Ensemble alongside a cast including Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink, David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff and Grace Mouat as Lucy. The musical opens on Sunday 21st September for a limited run, with the roles made famous on screen by Jennifer Garner (executive producer of the musical) and Mark Ruffalo, and the show at Manchester Opera House is directed by Andy Fickman. Earlier this year, Kevin finished his run as Ronald Clifford in Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical for their UK & Ireland Tour, and he was Alternate in the West End’s Potted Panto at the Garrick Theatre in 2021 and the Apollo Theatre the following year. In the 2022 Tour of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Kevin played a Drifter and Lou Adler, and his previous roles include Miss Understanding on tour in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Papa Bear / Ensemble for the Shrek the Musical tour (also covering the role of Donkey), and he was in the cast of the 21st Anniversary production of RENT at The Other Palace. Kevin has previously workshopped QUEENZ, and he filmed for the BBC documentary Bimini Bon Boulash: Homecoming Queen. Chatting to us, Kevin told us about being in the cast of the world premiere of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical at Manchester Opera House, his time as Ronald Clifford in Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical and playing Miss Understanding on the UK Tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

This month, you will be starting your run in the Ensemble of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical, how has it been rehearsing for the show and reading Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa’s script?

I really cannot overstate how cool it is to have the writers working alongside you in the room! Being part of the world premiere process is so exciting – new pages, new music! Let’s go!!

What are you looking forward to most for seeing the audience response to the musical and why would you recommend booking tickets to the world premiere production at Manchester Opera House?

As well as the musical honouring the iconic film – in our version, we can really explore the themes of future hopes and past regrets with singing and dancing too! Also, you’re not ready for Thriller!

For those unfamiliar with the original 2004 film starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, can you say about the show?

If you’ve ever looked back on your life and felt conflicted about your choices, if you’ve ever wanted to reconnect with your inner child, if you’ve ever wanted to get that inspiration to make a change – this show is for you!

How does it feel to be part of the world premiere of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical and bringing the story to the stage for the first time?

This is my first-ever world premiere so I am OVER THE MOON! This is my job and way of life so I am drinking in every single moment!

What is it like working with the rest of the cast, which includes Lucie Jones (as Jenna Rink), David Hunter (as Matt Flamhaff) and Grace Mouat (as Lucy), and director Andy Fickman, and have you worked with any of them previously?

Lucie and I go way back! We worked together in 2016-2017 in RENT (my second professional job). It’s a bulletproof team: David, Grace and Andy are all phenomenal talents!

What are you enjoying most about working on 13 Going on 30 – The Musical so far?

I’m being absolutely spoilt with a stellar creative team! Alan Williams was my first musical supervisor on the original UK Tour of Shrek the Musical. Jennifer Weber, the Tony-awarded choreographer, is a force of nature in the room. And our illustrious leader Andy Fickman is the most open communicative director I’ve ever worked with – “Trust the process”!

Earlier this year, you finished your run playing Ronald Clifford in the UK & Ireland Tour of Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical, what was it like touring with the production?

Cruel Intentions was a WILD RIDE! The thing that really made it amazing was the dedicated fandom – I’ve never been tagged in so many photos in my life. Check out my Insta to see some Cruel Intentions Megamix gold!

How was it taking on the role of Ronald Clifford and performing the 1990s soundtrack?

I LOVED playing Ronald! I was lucky enough to put on a geeky spin to the character that is much truer to my own personality – currently working on the muscles to be able to do the beefcake version in the future!

In the West End runs of Potted Panto, you were an Alternate at the Garrick Theatre in 2021 and Apollo Theatre in 2022, can you tell us about this?

Potted Panto is a BEAST of a show. Two-hander. 70 minutes. Seven pantos. That’s basically me talking for 35 minutes with multiple costume changes, countless props, and a hope and a prayer. But my goodness, there was nothing like standing at that podium with a spotlight, and a PACKED West End theatre – forget roller coaster! What a RUSH!

What was it like performing as a Drifter and Lou Adler in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical around the country?

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical UK Tour 2022 was one of the most special shows ever made. I was lucky to be there, employed as a token musical theatre singer to do some very specific vocals. The rest of the cast were incredibly talented actor-musicians, who played multiple parts and multiple instruments – I was utterly in awe of them! One of the best experiences of my career!

How was your time playing Miss Understanding in the UK Tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert?

Miss Understanding was iconic. I was lucky enough to work with the incredible Ian, who entrusted me with the character given my background in drag performance and kind of let me run riot! And let the record show, I did my own full drag makeup for that tour – TWICE PER SHOW!

What are some of your favourite memories from touring with Shrek the Musical as Papa Bear / Ensemble and covering the role of Donkey, and being part of the 21st Anniversary cast of RENT at The Other Palace?

Ah, Shrek and RENT… my first two acting credits! Very, very spoilt to do two fantastic shows back-to-back, but what can you do? I cut my teeth of Shrek – it was the pinnacle of commercial musical theatre, high stakes, high pressure, high acclaim! RENT was much more humble but with tremendous spirit – and we had a STACKED cast!

We understand you were involved with the workshop of QUEENZ and filmed for the BBC documentary Bimini Bon Boulash: Homecoming Queen, can you say about this?

Ah my time in the drag scene! I’m so proud of how far QUEENZ has come – that entire team are so dedicated and I can’t wait to see where they go with it in the future! My way into the Bimini documentary was through my roots in Norfolk! I’m from King’s Lynn so I know the Norwich drag scene – absolute icons! Bimini is amazing – a wonderful representative for the county!

Where does your love of performing come from and how did you get started in the industry?

I was lucky enough to attend Springwood High School in King’s Lynn at a time where it was arts-focused. The drama department were a group of dedicated, wonderful humans, who would put on multiple shows and activities annually to give young people the experience of theatre. Not just performing! Stage management, lighting, sound, orchestra – I learned community values and a sense of pride and belonging.

Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch, and are there any you’d particularly like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

Oh goodness, I love anything with Fosse choreography! And I cannot wait for the day I see a professional production of Kiss of the Spider Woman!

What do you enjoy doing away from your career?

When all’s said and done and I hang up my high-heeled LaDucas at night, all I want is a pint, a home-cooked meal, and whatever anime I’m obsessing over that week.