It feels like Gabriel Hinchcliffe has just started his career and yet he has already impressed audiences in shows such as BE MORE CHILL at The Other Palace Theatre in London.
Now he is back at the same theatre in the new musical, THE MAD ONES, that will be entertaining everyone from the 7th May until the 1st June.
Gabriel is excited to tread the boards again and Over the Shoulder can’t wait to take a front row seat to watch him perform in what is going to be a sure-fire hit.
Let’s get into the interview:
You have performed at The Other Palace before with the production of BE MORE CHILL. How excited are you to be back there with THE MAD ONES, a coming-of-age musical?
I’m excited to be going back to The Other Palace as I’ve performed there twice in fact.
I performed in the bigger theatre, the 300-seater while doing “Be More Chill” and then did a workshop in the smaller studio in January 2023 called The Dark Lord. So, I know the theatre well.
It’s all very exciting to be back, I’m so looking forward to it.
Can you tell me about the musical and your role in it?
I’m playing Adam, who is Sam’s boyfriend. He will do anything for Sam, whatever she says, its “yes Sam, what do you need?” He’s this kind-hearted, gentle soul, who’s a bit of a lovable rogue with a golden retriever energy.
The show is an uplifting, inspiring story of navigating a way through life. It is about the importance of the choices you make and forging your own path in the world.
Leading onto that, what were you like in school?
I was naughty. I was a fool in school and terrible at anything to do with theory. English language was my favourite, I was alright at that, but at maths I was horrendous.
I loved sports, drama, music and all that jazz. I was the class clown and loved causing as much trouble as I possibly could.
How were rehearsals, and was there any part of the it that was tricky?
I think rehearsals are going great. Our last day of rehearsals were on the 2nd May and then we’ve got “Tech” the two days before we open on the 7th May.
It has been a pleasure getting to know the cast and the creative team and everyone involved. It’s just been an absolute dream, to be honest. We’ve not run into anything major. There’s been parts where we discussed what would our characters do in this situation? Then we go back and forth with ideas.
It’s been conversational and a collective mind rather than it being director to student vibes. It’s been great. I’m having so much fun.
Did you know some of your co-stars beforehand?
I knew Courtney Stapleton as we have met a couple of times, but I’ve not met anyone else before.
When did your love for performing start and is there anyone else in your family like you?
It probably started when I went to Paid Edge Communities Choir.
My conductor Sarah Ogden was an opera singer, and she sang at Opera North. I went and had singing lessons. My mum, Auntie Helen and my grandma Jean all did pantos. My grandma was probably the most talented out of all of us. She had an amazing opera voice.
It probably stemmed from there.
You love AC/DC. Is there any rock and roll in The Mad Ones?
There some like groovy songs. There’s guitar in there that’s a bit rocky but it’s not “Iron man” vibes. It’s a more Folk/Country.
There is some great up tempo, upbeat numbers with cool choreography, but no heavy guitar solos.
You travelled around the UK with Madagascar the Musical which was your favourite theatre to perform in and where you a fan of the films?
Absolutely. I adored the films. I was watching the films with my girlfriend a week before I got an audition for Mad Ones. It was amazing going everywhere with Madagascar, from the UK and Ireland to Monaco, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
There were so many gorgeous theatres. The one in Monaco was probably the grandest but my favourite theatre was The Edinburgh Playhouse. It’s just so massive.
I love Edinburgh.
If you could choose one person to play you in a movie or play, who would it be?
My brother Noah does a good impression of me or maybe Steven Graham as he’s my favourite actor. Leonardo DiCaprio would be quite cool too.
Is there a question that you wished an interviewer would ask but they never do?
If you could be any animal, what would it be?
My answer would probably be an otter or a little ferret.
After THE MAD ONES what are your plans and hopes for the future?
Fingers crossed to get another performing role. My job before this was at
Oxford New Theatre, working front of house behind the bar, getting people to the seats and I loved it, but performing is in my bones so I would like another play or musical to get my teeth into!
We’ll see what’s on the horizon. Hopefully some good things will come about.
Would you like to do any Film and TV work?
I’d love too! It’s always been a dream to be on Coronation Street and work in the garage and have some overalls!
Gabriel is sure to make an impact as the loveable Adam in THE MAD ONES and Over the Shoulder has a feeling that the Oxford New Theatre may have to wait awhile for him to return, as other roles are sure to follow.
Thank you for the chat, Gabriel, we hope you had as much fun as we did, and we can’t wait to see you again to hear what new projects you are doing.