In the world premiere of 50 First Dates: The Musical at The Other Palace, Josh St. Clair is originating the lead role of Henry Roth opposite Georgina Castle as Lucy Whitmore and is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw. 50 First Dates: The Musical is based on the 2004 film, which starred Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and opened in London on Sunday 14th September and is booking until Sunday 16th November. Recently, Josh finished his run playing Sam Wheat on tour in Ghost the Musical, and in 2023, he played Freddy Eynsford-Hill in Frinton Summer Theatre’s My Fair Lady. Josh was in the cast of Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum from 2023 to 2024 in Paris, and he booked his first lead role portraying Gino Bartali in the London premiere of Glory Ride at Charing Cross Theatre. During his time as a stage actor so far, Josh was in the original West End cast of FROZEN the Musical as Pabbie at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, understudied Charlie Price in the 2018/19 tour of Kinky Boots, had his West End debut as Swing/understudy Theo in School of Rock, and his professional stage debut was as an Ensemble member and understudy Fiyero in the UK & Ireland Tour of Wicked. Yesterday, it was announced that Josh will be the Alternate P.T. Barnum (Oliver Tompsett) when the world premiere of The Greatest Showman – The Musical opens at Bristol Hippodrome on Sunday 15th March 2026 for a limited run. Also a singer/songwriter, Josh recently released his debut EP Project H. We chatted to Josh about originating the lead role of Henry Roth in the world premiere of 50 First Dates: The Musical, playing Sam Wheat in Ghost the Musical on tour and his time in FROZEN the Musical and Kinky Boots.
How does it feel to be originating the lead role of Henry Roth on stage in the world premiere of 50 First Dates: The Musical?
It feels amazing! We’re all having a great time, we’re super proud of the show and it really seems to be resonating with audiences. Honestly, I’m having a ball.
How familiar were you with the 2004 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore before booking the role, and was there anything that drew you to the stage adaptation?
I was already such a fan of the film. I saw it in cinemas when I was a kid and also had the DVD. It was like a comfort film for me so I’d seen it many times. Therefore, I was already drawn to the project just because of the title itself, and then when I saw some of the names attached to it, such as Casey Nicholaw, it was a no-brainer.
Can you tell us about 50 First Dates: The Musical and who do you think the show will appeal to?
So the show follows the relationship of Lucy and my character Henry. Lucy has been in a car accident, meaning she forgets the past day she just lived, and therefore has no recollection of the first date she has with Henry. Besotted with her, he then goes on a mission to win her heart every day. It goes a lot deeper than that but that’s the basic overview. It’s a great love story around the themes of community, family and the lengths we will go to for our loved ones.
I honestly think there’s something in it for everyone, it’s truly a charming original story, but also very funny and incredibly moving.
What was it like reading David Rossmer and Steve Rosen’s script and hearing the songs in the musical for the first time?
So wonderful! From the first time I read the full thing, I could see it had so much charm and heart. And then when I heard the music, it only cemented that. Each song really adds to the show and drives the story forward brilliantly.
How would you describe Henry and what is the character like to play?
Henry is a pretty complex guy. He has a huge heart but also some terrible learnt behaviours. He has a beautiful character arc through the show which is great fun to play as he really grows in to himself. He’s also very similar to me in that he’s a bit of a silly goon, and therefore some of it doesn’t take a great deal of acting!
What has it been like working with the rest of the cast, which includes Georgina Castle as Lucy Whitmore, and being directed/choreographed by Casey Nicholaw?
The cast are truly wonderful. Everyone has come at the work with such enthusiasm and empathy. There was so much laughter (and tears) in the rehearsal room as we put the piece on its feet.
Georgina is a superstar. We really get on as mates, we send each other stupid voice notes and memes and I so love doing the show with her. She’s a huge talent.
Casey is also wonderful. He creates such a great working environment. Every day was so playful and he really helped shape the show and guide us towards telling the story in the best way.
You have recently finished touring as Sam Wheat in Ghost the Musical, how was it taking on the role of Sam and what was the show like to be part of?
I have! Ghost was a mammoth job for me. The show is beautiful but the role is tough. You have no off stage time to relax, and the character exists in such a heightened emotional state the whole way through. But once I got to grips with it, I had such a blast.
Also, you have the added challenge of being on tour, which can make some weeks tougher than others. But I reflect on it now very positively.
How was it telling the story of Ghost the Musical and seeing the audience response?
It’s a powerful piece and audiences really connect with it. I think anyone who has experienced grief or the loss of a loved one can see themselves within it and hopefully by the end I think take some peace from it, knowing that love is something that never truly dies. There were audible sobs from the front row I could hear on stage nearly every show.
Can you tell us about your time performing in Frinton Summer Theatre’s My Fair Lady as Freddy Eynsford-Hill in 2023 and the Stephen Sondheim musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in Paris in 2023/24?
Frinton was like a jolly old seaside holiday with a musical plonked in the middle. One of those short sweet jobs I will always look back on fondly. Morning swims in the sea, so much fish and chips, and My Fair Lady in a tent. It was such a treat and nice rest off the back of a very intense job I was doing before it.
Forum was the time of my life, I could literally cry just thinking about it. I was living in Paris, my favourite city in the world, in a gorgeous chic little flat. I ate so much cheese and drunk so much red wine! The show was class, it was just so silly, and all of the cast were completely world class. I could wax lyrical about that job forever.
What was it like working on the London premiere of Glory Ride at the Charing Cross Theatre, in which you originated the role of Gino Bartali?
This was a big deal for me, as it was my first lead role in something. I loved creating that little show. It had such heart and the fact it was a true story was just amazing. I feel privileged to say I am part of Bartali’s legacy in that I got to tell his story. I also finally made it to Florence this summer after being desperate to visit there ever since finishing the show, over two years ago!
In the original West End cast of FROZEN the Musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, you played Pabbie; what are some of your favourite memories from performing in the show?
This will always be up there as one of the best years of my life. Opening the show coming out of the pandemic was just so, so special! The audiences were amazing, the cast Disney assembled for it was just out of this world, and I think everyone in it knew they were part of something truly magical. It’s also the first time my niece ever saw me on stage! She was only four at the time. And I left that show with some truly great friends who I’m still very close with today.
How was it understudying Charlie Price in the 2018/19 UK Tour of Kinky Boots?
This was another little dream come true. I wanted to do the show ever since seeing it on Broadway (I tricked my dad into seeing it. “Oh I think it’s just a show about shoes?”) and to get the chances to play Charlie was truly awesome. It’s a mammoth part and I learnt so much from the brilliant Joel Harper-Jackson, who played Charlie full-time.
I will say, vocally, it’s probably the hardest thing I have ever done, it just lives in such a dangerous place, and I had some mental battles with it, but once I found my stride with the material, I really ended up enjoying going on for the part.
What was it like making your West End debut as Swing / understudy Theo in School of Rock and making your professional stage debut as Ensemble / understudy Fiyero in the UK & Ireland Tour of Wicked?
Well, the West End was always a huge thing on my bucket list and so to tick it off with School of Rock was wonderful. I had a lovely time on that show and I loved the challenge of being a Swing, the only time I’ve ever done it. I managed to get on for all my tracks plus a few female characters too! (We changed the Mrs to Mr when it came to the name of teachers and parents.)
Wicked was always my dream show, as it is for many. Looking back now and getting to say it was my first job is really something I don’t take lightly. I’m so grateful I got to do it. And to travel the world whilst doing it, exploring all these amazing cities was just this massive extra cherry on top that I’ll never really able to get over. Like, who can say they got to climb the Great Wall of China on their first job!? Again, I met some of my best friends on it, four of which are now two married couples who met on the job. It was such a special time.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?
Who knows where it came from?! No one else in my family has ever acted or sung. I did watch a lot of musical movies at my Grandma’s house when she would look after me when I was small, and would always end up dancing around her living room, so I’m pretty sure that’s where it started.
I went to a Stagecoach for a few years and joined some am-dram companies, but never knew it was what I truly wanted to do until I was about 17. Two attempts to get into drama college later, and then I went off to train in London and everything has just fallen into place since then. I never take for granted how lucky I am.
Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?
My favourite thing I’ve ever seen was the revival of Hello, Dolly! on Broadway starring Bette Midler. It was just three hours of absolute joy. I love a farce and Hello, Dolly! is just so silly and so ridiculous and the production was unbelievable.
I always love seeing new things. I try and catch a lot of theatre, and particularly like supporting friends in their shows.
We understand you are also a singer/songwriter, and have recently released your debut EP Project H, can you tell us about the release and what do you enjoy most about working on your own music?
I am! My music came about last summer, off the back of some pretty big personal things happening. I released my first song last November and it was all go-go since then.
I love working on music because I feel like it uses a different part of my creativity that I don’t get to use on stage. I personally feel music is the most powerful art form when it comes to evoking emotion. You can have an overwhelming visceral response by just listening to a piece of music. How mad is that?!
What was Project H like to write and record, and do you have a songwriting process?
I guess it was both hard and easy. Hard because I was dealing with some really tricky feelings, but also easy because the songs were just pouring out of me and I found the whole thing very cathartic.
They all started as voice notes on my phone. I think I had written about 20 songs. I then got in contact with a mate who has dabbled in music production and it all went from there. It was a scary thing to do, but I always believe in facing your fear and doing the scary thing. I’m really proud of the songs I recorded and they perfectly sum up how I was feeling at that time, and you never know who might hear it and connect with it. So go stream Project H, on all platforms now!
How do you like to spend your free time?
At the moment, it’s by watching a lot of trashy telly, as I’ve been so busy with the show, some other projects, and it’s a great way of winding down to switch off. Love Is Blind, Married at First Sight and now The Celebrity Traitors!
I’m also a massive tennis nut so I will always try to catch up on highlights and, if I get the chance, phone up a friend and go have a knock up on a court.
And brunch! I’m such a foodie and brunch is just the best!
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