Whilst at secondary school, Jacob Fowler performed in the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods (with the book by James Lapine), and he is now currently in the new revival of Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre in London as Standby Jack/Rapunzel’s Prince/the Steward, and he recently went on as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf. Jacob has been working with a cast including Bella Brown (Rapunzel), Chumisa Dornford-May (Cinderella) and Gracie McGonigal (Little Red Ridinghood), and the musical is running until Saturday 30th May, and it has been confirmed for a West End transfer to the Noël Coward Theatre from September (with the cast not yet announced). Last summer, Jacob toured in THE ADDAMS FAMILY as Lucas Beineke, a character created for the musical version of the film, with Clive Rowe and Lesley Joseph in the cast, and he was in [TITLE OF SHOW] at Southwark Playhouse Borough. For the 10th anniversary of Cool Rider (the unofficial parody of Grease 2), Jacob played Louis at The London Palladium with the film’s star Maxwell Caulfield (who played Michael Carrington in the film). In the two-hander musical Before After, Jacob starred as Ben opposite Grace Mouat as Ami at Southwark Playhouse Borough, and he worked with Grace previously when he starred as Prince Topher in the European premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, with Grace playing Cinderella, at Hope Mill Theatre in 2022. When Heathers the Musical was open at The Other Palace, Jacob starred as Jason “J.D.” Dean, and reprised his role for the 2023 UK Tour, which saw Jacob play J.D. more than any other actor worldwide, and he previously played Bobby in Dreamboats and Petticoats on tour, performing the 50s and 60s soundtrack. As a music artist, Jacob auditioned for Little Mix: The Search in 2020, going on to win with band Since September, and they toured with Little Mix on their 2022 Confetti Tour. We spoke to Jacob about being in the cast of Into the Woods at Bridge Theatre in London, touring with THE ADDAMS FAMILY last year, working with Grace Mouat in Before After and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and his time as Jason “J.D.” Dean in Heathers the Musical.

Having performed in the hugely-popular Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods (book by James Lapine) in secondary school, what is it like being part of the new revival at Bridge Theatre in London and do you have a favourite scene/song in the show?

It’s the most incredible honour of my career. The combination of this company, creative team, venue and show is just perfect. I’m very lucky!

As Standby, how has it been learning the roles of Jack, Rapunzel’s Prince and the Steward and what is each character like to play?

It’s been different for me, but I’ve actually loved it! I covered on my first job four years ago, but that was only one role, so going in with three roles has been thrilling! And, as of recent times, I also made my debut as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf – so I’ll make it four!

Jack is my biggest part and my personal favourite. Getting to run out and sing Giants in the Sky whilst the whole company stand behind you is a show highlight! Rapunzel’s Prince has the fortune of pretty much having two show-stopping songs in both Agonys, so that’s always a thrill to do. And then the Steward is in its own category of camp. Small but mighty!

How is the experience being a Standby and how different are you finding this role to your previous projects?

I have enjoyed it, I think mainly because of the company I keep. The cast you share the stage with can make or break a job, and this has absolutely made it for me. The grace they have all shown on all four of my debuts – and continuously with any shows I go on for – has been incredible.

What are you enjoying most about being in the cast of Into the Woods and what are you looking forward to for continuing in the production?

Getting to share the stage with each and every company member has been my highlight. Industry greats like Kate Fleetwood, Katie Brayben and Jamie Parker – all of which I have learnt so much from.

Hughie O’Donnell is stepping into the Baker for our final six weeks, and I am so happy to see him shine in that role. He is extraordinary as the Steward – he makes that role his own – so to see him take on the leading man is so deserved.

Who do you think Into the Woods will appeal to and why would you recommend booking tickets to the run at Bridge Theatre?

Everyone, genuinely! It’s fairy tales combining, so is interesting for younger viewers, but the text and meaning behind it is so mature and relatable for everyone.

Last summer, you were touring in THE ADDAMS FAMILY as Lucas Beineke, was there anything that drew you to the musical and how was it reading the script for the first time?

It’s such a fun show! Reading the script for the first time was great – so many incredible takes on iconic characters by incredible actors! Clive Rowe’s Fester and Lesley Joseph’s Grandma were not to be missed!

How would you describe Lucas and what was it like playing a character created for the musical version of The Addams Family?

Lucas is quite a surface-level character, but that is almost more of a challenge for me to play than a character with a big arc! He’s very much the boy next door, but he needs to be for the story to make sense! You can’t go overboard with him!

Can you tell us about your time in [TITLE OF SHOW] at Southwark Playhouse Borough last year?

[TITLE OF SHOW] was a really fun show to be a part of, although it was over in a flash – we only did it for around three weeks! A four-person show was another first for me, which made it all the more thrilling!

In the 10th Anniversary Concert of Cool Rider (the unofficial parody of Grease 2), you played Louis at The London Palladium, how was it being involved with the concert and performing with the rest of the cast, which included the film’s star Maxwell Caulfield as Mr Stuart?

This was an absolute hoot! I knew nothing about the show, but it was by far the best audience I’ve ever witnessed at any show ever! People talk about ‘cult followings’, but Cool Rider blows that out of the water! Maxwell was a class act, as were the entire cast! Bring it back, I say!

What was it like working on the two-hander musical Before After at Southwark Playhouse Borough as Ben opposite Grace Mouat as Ami?

This was a really lovely experience. A two-hander in itself is an incredible thing to be a part of, but to do it with Grace, whom I already knew, was really special. It had been done before as a show, but it really felt like we were creating something in that room. I’m sad the show didn’t do as well as it deserved to. It was a special piece.

Also with Grace, you starred as Prince Topher in the European premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (with Grace as Cinderella) at Hope Mill Theatre in 2022, how was it taking on the role of Prince Topher and what was the story like to tell?

I loved this role and this show. I most enjoy singing that type of music – more legit theatre. We originated those roles in the UK, which was an honour – how many people can say they’ve originated a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical! Very lucky to have had that opportunity.

What are some of your stand-out highlights from starring as Jason “J.D.” Dean in Heathers the Musical and how was it reprising the character on the 2023 UK Tour from the run at The Other Palace (which saw you play J.D. more times than any other actor worldwide)?

Heathers changed my life and my career. I will always be grateful for what it did for me and what I got from it, especially my time at The Other Palace. The tour was hard for me for many reasons but it is a privilege to hold that record!

What was it like playing Bobby in Dreamboats and Petticoats on tour and performing the 1950s/60s soundtrack?

This was actually such a fun show! I knew nothing about it before I joined, but the pop score was right up my street. I’d just done the Little Mix tour, so singing in that more contemporary way was a nice transition back into theatre.

After winning Little Mix: The Search in 2020, you went on to tour with Little Mix on their Confetti Tour in 2022 as part of Since September, do you have any favourite memories from performing with Since September and touring with Little Mix that you can tell us about?

Supporting Little Mix was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We got to perform to over 10,000 every night, supporting the world’s biggest girl group – that’s bloody cool! The final night at The O2 Arena was special as it was also Little Mix’s last show as a group.

We didn’t actually get given any tickets, so I bought a ticket myself to watch the show… Crazy, but worth it. The girls were all lovely!

Have you seen any theatre shows recently that you’ve particularly enjoyed?

I haven’t seen anywhere near as much theatre as I’d like to – it’s always so hard when you’re on a show schedule yourself. I did see American Pyscho recently, which I really enjoyed. I didn’t know anything about it as I hadn’t seen the film, but I think it really worked as a musical!

Do you have a favourite aspect of being part of the theatre industry?

I just think it’s so special that a lot of us get to do what we love as a career. It has its ups and downs, of course, but when it’s good, it’s the most incredible feeling. I felt this with my surprise Cinderella’s Prince debut a few days ago. The sense of community that comes together is like no other.

Have you been given any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you?

I’m actually not that good at remembering advice… but one thing that happened recently was before my first show as Jack in Into the Woods.

The incomparable Kate Fleetwood and I were backstage before she drags Jack on before Your Fault. I can’t really remember exactly what she said, but she was so kind and kept squeezing my hand whilst we were both crouched behind the trees in the dark. It just made me love her even more, and I felt so comfortable in her hands walking out onto that stage.

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