This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Eila Mell: Hello, and welcome to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila, and I am here with Bruce.

[0:19] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, good morning to you, Eila, on this rainy day.

[0:23] Eila Mell: A rainy New York day, yeah.

[0:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, there's been some news over the weekend that, I think it was maybe even just yesterday, Ariana Grande has decided to walk away from the revival of Sunday in the Park with George in London.

[0:42] Eila Mell: That she was slated to do with Jonathan Bailey, her Wicked co-star, which everybody was clamoring about. Tickets probably couldn't go on sale.

[0:52] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. Oh, it's huge. This is huge news, and so disappointing to so many people, I'm sure.

[0:58] Eila Mell: Absolutely. The production has said that they are going to be coming up with a replacement and moving forward still as planned summer of 2027.

[1:09] Bruce Gotlieb: So they have some time to work out who that might be.

[1:14] Eila Mell: But who in this situation is going to satisfy audiences now?

[1:21] Bruce Gotlieb: You had Ariana Grande with Jonathan Bailey. I mean, is it Cynthia Erivo to keep the Wicked connection? I don't know.

[1:29] Eila Mell: That's the only one, really. It's not going to be Michelle Yeoh.

[1:32] Bruce Gotlieb: Right, exactly. And then you also wonder, we're talking, you know, what, ten months from now or so, thereabout.

[1:41] Eila Mell: So does Ariana, does everything change in her world where then maybe that is like, oh, wait, you know what? I spoke too soon. I can do it. Never mind.

[1:51] Bruce Gotlieb: Granted, their schedules, right, they're planning probably years in advance. So she probably knows what's going on with her life a year from now.

[2:00] Eila Mell: I feel like you don't make a big statement like that unless you're sure, but you never know.

[2:04] Bruce Gotlieb: And you know what? The property itself, Sunday in the Park with George, is certainly an entity that could sell on its own.

[2:13] Eila Mell: It's such a beautiful show. I love it, but a lot of people don't like it.

[2:17] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, it is also not done that often. So it gives that extra gravitas of the show itself.

[2:24] Eila Mell: Yeah, I think Jonathan Bailey will be fantastic.

[2:27] Bruce Gotlieb: I'm sure as well.

[2:29] Eila Mell: And had they not announced her with him, probably he would have been able, been fine on his own.

[2:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Of course, that's all you need. But now, you know.

[2:40] Eila Mell: Now there are expectations.

[2:42] Bruce Gotlieb: Jennifer Lopez should step in.

[2:44] Eila Mell: Well, Annalie Ashford's done it here with Jake Gyllenhaal.

[2:47] Bruce Gotlieb: I know she has.

[2:49] Eila Mell: You know, maybe go over there and do it.

[2:51] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe. But is she a big enough name on the scale of Ariana Grande?

[2:56] Eila Mell: I mean, that Annalie Ashford is a huge name. But once you're comparing to Ariana Grande, that's where you're going to have an issue.

[3:03] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, that's true. That's true.

[3:05] Eila Mell: So, I mean, you know, Lady Gaga, she could do it.

[3:09] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe. Sure.

[3:10] Eila Mell: She'd be good, actually. Could you imagine?

[3:12] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. She would be great.

[3:14] Eila Mell: Yeah. That's who should do it.

[3:17] Bruce Gotlieb: It's decided. Now we've solved that problem.

[3:20] Eila Mell: Done.

[3:21] Bruce Gotlieb: Over to London. A wire, as they say.

[3:24] Eila Mell: Excellent. All right. Well, who's our guest today, Bruce?

[3:28] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, speaking of shows that have a name of their own, Les Mis is, you know, certainly a household name.

[3:35] Eila Mell: I mean, yeah. So many people have just grown up with it.

[3:39] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. Grown up with it. And there are so many people that have, you know, stars that have had the opportunity to come through it.

[3:47] Eila Mell: You know, Patti LuPone, Lea Salonga.

[3:51] Bruce Gotlieb: Debbie Gibson.

[3:54] Eila Mell: Today, we have one of the stars that has been in and out of it for, what, the past 20?

[4:01] Bruce Gotlieb: No, 15 years about, maybe.

[4:03] Eila Mell: Maybe 20 years.

[4:05] Bruce Gotlieb: Close to it, at least.

[4:07] Eila Mell: Yeah. I mean, he's young, so 20 years might be tough, but close to, at least.

[4:12] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. We have Bradley Jaden, who is one of the current Javers of the Arena Tour, now playing at Radio City.

[4:19] Eila Mell: So if you don't have a ticket, you should get one. And if you do have a ticket, you're in for quite a show.

[4:24] Bruce Gotlieb: So let's bring out Bradley.

[4:33] Eila Mell: Welcome to Behind the Awards, Bradley Jaden.

[4:36] Bradley Jaden: Thank you very much. Thank you for having me.

[4:38] Eila Mell: That's a very actor-y name.

[4:40] Bradley Jaden: Fantastic. Do you know what? What's even more amazing is that it is actually technically made up, because I changed it when I was about 17 years old.

[4:50] Eila Mell: Oh, really?

[4:51] Bradley Jaden: Yeah. Before I was even in the arts or anything like that, before I even knew that you could have a stage name or something like that. And, yeah, I actually took my best friend's name, which is my sister. My sister is called Jade. And I put an N on it, and that became my name. Like, I changed it legally when I was about 17 years old, and then I became an actor. And everyone was like, that's a really cool name. But I was like, that's it.

[5:14] Eila Mell: You gave yourself a stage name before it was even a thing.

[5:17] Bradley Jaden: Exactly. Exactly. Very smart.

[5:21] Eila Mell: The only thing that's on social media today is you and your cast of Les Mis, because you had this amazing moment the other night. Can you tell us what happened?

[5:32] Bradley Jaden: Yeah. Do you know what? It was yesterday I had to take almost like the whole day to kind of decompress and kind of understand the enormity of what really, really happened. And, yeah, obviously we opened Les Miserables at Radio City Hall, and it was just, I mean, the whole show was spectacular. But then Cameron and the team had organized this kind of a special kind of extra special send off, and we brought back lots of alumni that had been in the movie or previous adaptations of Les Miserables throughout the years. And, yeah, I think they did bring him home. And Aaron Turvey and Alfie Boe came out. Peter Lockyer, who actually was my Jean Valjean when I was in the ensemble. And then I was lucky enough, so lucky to be part of a version of Stars with the great Philip Quast and Jordan Doniger with Jeremy Secombe as well, who was sharing the role with me in Radio City. And it was just, I mean, you can see from the video, like so many people have kind of mentioned, like how much I'm smiling from ear to ear. And, you know, I think it's that kind of musical theater geek. I was in my element and I had the most amazing time. And to see some of the younger generation of Les Miserables witness, you know, some of this and be part of that was just it felt amazing, you know, to really hold that legacy and for a show to be 40 years old and still be as fresh as it is, it's remarkable.

[7:00] Eila Mell: How much advance notice did you get that the that these stars were?

[7:05] Bradley Jaden: We all rehearsed. We all rehearsed everything literally like 12 hours before. And then we I think and then we all got on stage and tried all the in-ear monitors and stuff literally that day. So from two o'clock in the afternoon, we kind of rehearsed and that was it.

[7:14] Eila Mell: Wow. Wow. Yeah, the result was outrageous. I can't even imagine the lucky audience members who were there for that.

[7:21] Bradley Jaden: Yeah, it really was. But, you know, as I say, I think I was the luckiest one. I was literally going around. Oh, my goodness. I love you. Oh, my goodness. And a lot of Americans would be very excited because Debbie Gibson was there. She was, you know, our pop princess for a while there.

[7:37] Eila Mell: Absolutely. Absolutely. I will say Les Mis was the first show I saw and Debbie was my ebony.

[7:43] Bradley Jaden: Wow. Yeah, that's what's so fantastic because Les Miserables, as we know, has grown through the years and we do have our favorites. That's that's that's also like the difficulty with this kind of big monster of a musical, which I always say is that we all have our favorites. And, you know, you're constantly see on comments throughout social media or life. You know, you're not this person, you know, and I get it. But all we can do is act as and be custodians of these roles, is just try and tell the story as best as we possibly can, because actually the people that take over it, we love it just as much. And if not, we're the biggest fans of the show anyway. So, you know, especially with the cast that have been brought to New York, we have all grown up through the ranks from ensemble, from swings to covers, to smaller roles, to bigger roles. And then, you know, like myself and Killian, Killian was a swing and I was ensemble. And for us to kind of, you know, stand at the front of this and help, you know, lead this company is one of the greatest honors of our career. So we're thrilled to be part of it.

[8:43] Eila Mell: Yeah, you've grown through the show. That's correct. And, you know, you're part of something special when you're part of a show that has had the life and the legacy now that not every show can say that they have this type of following for all of these years, you know, internationally.

[8:59] Bradley Jaden: Absolutely. Absolutely. But I think that all stems from the top. You know, one of the things, you know, I've been very lucky to work in a lot of musical theater shows. But one thing that really stems from this is having the passion from the top and the fact that Sir Cameron Mackintosh turns up to every cast and, you know, at every opening night and does this and has new nuances or new thoughts about the show. You know, the fact that it's been running in London for 40 years alone, but then also has managed to go to something like 53 different countries is remarkable. You know, like especially in this day and age, even when we see some of the most fantastic musicals of our time, they just can't keep bums on seats or can't keep costs down. You know, the fact that that show has just remained nonstop packed in London for 40 years is just amazing. The music has not aged. It doesn't sound like an old show. It's just, you know, it's current always.

[9:51] Eila Mell: Yeah. And we're so lucky. I mean, obviously, like I said, that the sound in Radio City is remarkable. You know, we've got the most amazing, amazing sound technicians. But the fact that what's helping us the most is that we have a huge orchestra, you know, led by Alfonso Casado and Brian. And we are just in awe every night that we get to sing with an orchestra, because, again, that's something that doesn't happen anymore. And, you know, we have 33 players who have been as well as we have throughout Les Mis' journey. I think there's only one or two that haven't ever played for Les Mis. The rest of the orchestra have all played, be it around the world or in the US. So, you know, we're so lucky. And the venue itself, Radio City, is so iconic to us here in New York.

[10:32] Bradley Jaden: Did you get that growing up? I don't know if that translates to other countries.

[10:34] Eila Mell: Honestly, I think we've all literally as soon as this kind of leg three, as it were, part of the tour kind of was offered out. And it said that we were Radio City. I mean, you know, we've all been very fortunate, you know, to have the Royal Albert Hall. And that's an iconic landmark in London. And it was absolutely breathtaking. But stepping into Radio City is unlike any of the arenas that we've performed in. And we've been in some really amazing venues that are humongous and, you know, double the size we played at football fields and all that. But the history that's within that building is remarkable. And we were just kind of I think we all just literally came on to stage. George dropped in. Yeah, it's I don't think I'll be able to really fully process this until the whole kind of couple of weeks is over and I've gone back to the UK.

[11:26] Eila Mell: That's probably a good thing. Now, is there any opportunity for Rockettes to be in the ensemble?

[11:34] Bradley Jaden: Literally, whatever happens, I mean, it's Sir Cameron McIntosh's show and the crazy things have happened. You know, you might have like some amazing idea. He brings it in or, you know, he flies in every single member of the past. You know, he does these wonderful things. And you kind of go, how is he going to top this or how is he going to top that? And he just does it. It's phenomenal.

[11:54] Eila Mell: When you started this or made the decision that this was going to be your career, do you remember like that moment or was it a show? Was it something that that bit you that you were like, I need to be on stage for my career?

[12:08] Bradley Jaden: Honestly, I say this, you know, I met Cameron McIntosh at the open call of Miss Saigon. I actually went to the auditions with my sister and she made me learn a song. And I hadn't really sang that much. And I went in and sang and I got down to like the final 10 for Chris and Miss Saigon. I think I was about 18 years old and Cameron put me to drama school. And if I'm honest, theater just wasn't on my radar. Like it wasn't like I loved watching it through the eyes of my sister. And then as I was in drama school, then, you know, I became like fully invested. And it was kind of an amazing experience. And then actually, five years after I graduated, I auditioned again for Miss Saigon, which is the version probably a lot more people are aware of with Evelyn Obazada and Alistair Brammer. And again, I got to the final for Chris this time again. And Cameron actually put me in the ensemble of Les Mis and said, you need to learn a few more things before, you know, you can take on something like that. And so that's how my journey of Les Miserables started. So I joined the 29th anniversary cast. And, you know, I'm so grateful to Cameron McIntosh for not only being my mentor, but now he's one of my closest friends. And, you know, I'm so proud to call him a friend and to see him like do the speeches on stage. And, you know, I think we all love the aspect. But I can only imagine, like how happy is to, you know, to see his baby growing and be as successful is and so fresh. And to have such a warm response 40 years later, it must be a mind boggling feeling.

[13:41] Eila Mell: Yeah. I mean, he's almost bigger than any of his projects. He's such a force in theater.

[13:45] Bradley Jaden: He really, really is. Yeah. And it's because it's he's, you know, eye of detail and and perfection. And he allows people to to showcase themselves. But within the same, you know, the realm of musicals. And I think that's what's so exciting. And the fact that he is in his 80s and is as passionate as ever just blows my mind.

[14:05] Eila Mell: I can't even imagine because I just remember him being this young producer.

[14:10] Bradley Jaden: Right. Yeah.

[14:12] Eila Mell: Frozen in my mind. Right. He takes on this entity like that of like just kind of freezes in time and that he'll always he'll always be there. Like it always. Yeah. Yeah. It's quite remarkable to to work with him. And, you know, and as I said, I've learned so much in the 20 years that we've known each other. And, you know, I owe that man a lot.

[14:32] Eila Mell: What was it like to get the opportunity then to step in and be I think you are the youngest Javert.

[14:40] Bradley Jaden: Yes. Yeah. I was I was 29 when I took over and it was it was daunting. It was really, really scary. It was, you know, as I said, you know, when you are part of these massive monster musicals, you get constantly told, you know, you're not going to be this person. You're not going to be that person. And, you know, you're never going to be Philip Quast. And obviously there was a lot of there was a lot of uproar that I was so young playing this role. But obviously, Cameron saw something that I could bring that was very, very different. And I asked him, you know, allow me to to go somewhere very different. And obviously it's not to everyone's taste, but at the same time, it's everyone enjoys it as well. You know, and that's what's so wonderful about theatre, that we can we can be so diplomatic and understand, like there's going to be different nuances and stuff. But I've read the book. I know the show inside and out. You know, it's my favorite show in the world. And my only thing that I would ever say to any of the fans that I like watching is that like whatever I deliver would be nothing but a true representation of how I think the show should be pushed forward. And, you know, if that's what someone likes, it isn't great. And, you know, and I do believe that, you know, I've kind of done lots of different connotations with Javert over the years. And, you know, now in my late 30s, I can stand there and kind of be able to stay. So I've opened that Radio City is is is beyond anything I can ever imagine, really. It's huge. It's a song like Stars, which is so beautiful.

[16:04] Eila Mell: It's yeah. Yeah, it's like it's iconic and they do come with those pressures. You know, we I was actually doing an interview with Samantha Barks the other day and we kind of said that it's one of the only musicals that we've been part of where there's so many intros to musicals and you audibly hear the audience go.

[16:19] Bradley Jaden: Yeah, because they know it's going to be, you know, bring him home. It's going to be stars. It's going to be on my own. It's going to be dream to dream. And it just happens. And it's just this kind of roller coaster that is going. And, you know, it's just nonstop. And, you know, to have those there, there is a lot of pressure. But again, you know, we feel that pressure and we understand the pressure. But we also love the fact that we get to tell the story. You know, we have that amazing honor. And, you know, what's so fortunate is that we all do love it probably more than the fans. So, you know, it's in safe hands. It's in safe hands.

[16:53] Eila Mell: So, you know, for your version of Javert, what's his problem? Why is he so, why is he have such a problem with Jean Valjean?

[16:59] Bradley Jaden: Yeah.

[17:00] Eila Mell: What's your take?

[17:01] Bradley Jaden: Yeah. I mean, again, like I'm very, very open about this. You know, I think I know what I've spoken to a lot of people about and a lot of actually what's been amazing in New York is just how vocal people are about my interpretation and my thoughts about the show. And I believe that men suffer with a lot of mental health problems and stuff like that. And I wanted to showcase that and I wanted to really humanize Javert. And I think we live in a world where everyone is so driven with work and commitment and, you know, trying to succeed and the pressures of life. And I really wanted to push forward with that. And, you know, as myself and both, you know, which I can't even believe I'm saying me and Philip Glass both say he's not a bad guy. You know, he's just driven. And we've we've spoken about so many of our different interpretations over the couple of weeks we've been working together. And, you know, I had the finest compliment in the world when he turned around and he said, you're the first Javert that I've ever seen that's played it different to me. And I was kind of like, wow, I literally burst into tears. Phones kill you because he wasn't in the theatre at the time. I was like, this is what just happened. And, yeah, I think it's just my interpretation, again, is just it's just trying to humanize him and and understand, you know, he we've got this vast kind of landscape of going from his 30s to his 50s. And I'm kind of smack bang in the middle of that. But I just wanted it to be to be as honest and truthful as I possibly could. And you know, and about that kind of the hunt and the drive for success, the hunt and the drive for being appreciated in his job. And I think, you know, all those moments can really, really hit home. That's what's so wonderful about Les Miserables. We can find a different character and we can really relate to their struggles, their love, their desperation, their hunger, their hope. And I think that's what makes this show so special, is that we can see ourselves within these characters and we can have pure escapism for three hours.

[18:53] Eila Mell: I also love that the roles are cast with more than one actor, so you don't have to do eight shows a week. What has that been like for you?

[19:02] Bradley Jaden: Yeah, it's it's been one of the most amazing, but also oddest feelings in the world, because, you know, I've definitely grew up, you know, in that kind of, you know, let's say the old school way of like you do all eight shows. And, you know, unless your legs are forward enough and, you know, and, you know, really poorly or something like that, you kind of drive through. And obviously at the very beginning, myself and Killian were in the let's say the lesser amount of shows, you know, following Alfie Bow and Michael Ball. And, you know, and then we then took over and did it full time. And then we we stepped away from the tour for a bit. And Jeremy and Geronimo came in and then, you know, came forward. It was an amazing opportunity that we could get, you know, the three pairings in. And it's just it's just amazing. It's so nice to be able to champion each other. And we're so we're all so, so different. So whoever you watch is a completely different interpretation of the show. You know, what's so wonderful for me is that Jeremy was actually my show there when I was on tour. And I actually played opposite him when I was on. So I've, you know, I've seen Jeremy through the years and I've learned from him. And, you know, he's also seen me grow through the show from being ensemble. So we get on and we've been very lucky enough to do lots of different shows together. We did old friends in the UK as well. So, you know, we've known each other for a long time. So it's easy. It's just, you know, and to have that kind of I guess like we look at each other like alternates, as it were. And we can have an evening off and then we get to go and see this beautiful, beautiful place of New York. You know, it's kind of mind boggling. You kind of go, oh, I'm having a night off and the show's still going. And then I've never experienced it. I find it very, very difficult, but it's not because it's not me doing it. It's just I love working like I'm a big workhorse anyway. So but it's it's a wonderful experience to to to champion each other and all have that kind of love for the show.

[21:01] Eila Mell: Well, it seems like a unique opportunity to really have a support system in a way that.

[21:07] Bradley Jaden: Absolutely. And I think, you know, Cameron's been able to do that. And that was what was so wonderful about the celebrations the other night is that he was actually able to bring a lot of people that have jumped into this big monster throughout the last couple of years, you know, be it in the Philippines or be it in Japan or, you know, in Europe and then able to celebrate everyone for their for their time and their and their efforts within this this tour.

[21:21] Eila Mell: While you're off certain nights or days, have you had the opportunity to take in any Broadway shows?

[21:27] Bradley Jaden: Well, I've actually been living in in New York since January of twenty twenty five. I've been trying to try to, you know, get get work in here or, you know, see different shows or be part of workshops and stuff like that. So I've it's actually quite nice for me because I can actually use this time to to not go and do all the tourist stuff and actually just focus a lot more on the show. But the guys in the company are literally early mornings, straight out going to see everywhere. And it's also been really nice that my family have been able to come. My best friend in the world has been able to join me. My mom's now over watching the show this Friday. But, you know, I'm going to take her to a musical tonight, a pack, Julia, the musical.

[22:05] Eila Mell: Oh, yeah. By Jennifer Nettles. Yeah. I was lucky enough to do the workshop earlier this year. So I am so excited because I've heard so I mean, I know how good it is because I was part of it. But the hype of that show is. Yeah, it's amazing. And Jennifer Nettles is just a genius. I was kind of like taken back being in the room with her. So, yeah, I can't wait to see that.

[22:29] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, that'll be fun. I hear such good things. And then the other shows that have like blown my mind, Buena Vista Social Club, I think, is unlike any other musical I've ever seen. I think the actors in that and the actresses and dancers in that are just phenomenal.

[22:40] Bradley Jaden: So that's that's my top. Anyone that kind of comes in and says, you know, go and see a musical. I would say you have to go and see Buena Vista Social Club. That really kind of, yeah, blew my socks off.

[22:50] Bradley Jaden: Hello, my name is Bradley Jaden. This is Behind the Awards and we are going to be right back.

[23:06] Eila Mell: So is this one stop on a tour for you? Are you off to another city soon?

[23:11] Bradley Jaden: So we believe the World Arena tour is finishing. It finishes here in Radio City next next Sunday on the 9th. And yeah, I think that's kind of the end of the road for a lot of us, really. You know, it's been such a huge part of our lives. You know, most of the ensemble have been in it for the entirety of like the 23 months. So I'm sure they're desperate to get home, unpack their suitcases that they just lived in for a few years, see their family and loved ones. And then I'm going off to a different project straight after this and Killian will go back to Ireland. So, yeah, it's all going to be like just dispersing off. But yeah, it's going to be a very emotional evening, I can imagine.

[23:47] Eila Mell: Are you able to say what that project is?

[23:49] Bradley Jaden: Oh, yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I'm going to play Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago in Japan.

[23:54] Bruce Gotlieb: Fantastic.

[23:55] Bradley Jaden: Yeah. So I'm going to go and go to Tokyo and Osaka and play that for a few. I think it's like a month, which I'm thrilled and so, so excited. Very, very different for this. But, you know, it'd be nice not to, you know, cry and spit all that kind of stuff.

[24:11] Eila Mell: That's true.

[24:12] Bradley Jaden: Put those dancing shoes on for a bit and do something nice. Yeah, it'll be funny.

[24:15] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. And you can be a tourist there because I mean, what a city to get to see.

[24:19] Bradley Jaden: Yeah. I mean, I've been again, I've been so fortunate. I've been to Japan well over 10 times now and it's just the most beautiful place. And anyone that I would, you know, when people say, you know, where should I go in the world? I'm always Japan is always top of the list where I just say you need to go and experience it because it's unlike anywhere in the world.

[24:36] Bruce Gotlieb: And the tech there. What's the most amazing thing you've seen tech wise?

[24:40] Bradley Jaden: Oh, my goodness. I think there's so much. I mean, I'm not going to lie. People always talk about the toilets just because they spin around. They do everything that you need them to do. You know, the toilets are crazy. But I think it's like, you know, cars turning up without the drivers. You know, everything is just so far ahead of its time. It kind of takes you a moment to kind of go. Is this real? Am I there? Is this is this happening to me? But it's just, yeah, it's a beautiful place. And the people are so welcoming and musical theater is just thriving at the moment. So I feel very lucky to be part of, like, the 30th anniversary cast of Chicago and being part of Tokyo and Osaka.

[25:16] Eila Mell: Yeah. These legacy shows are really very welcoming to you. I think that's wonderful.

[25:20] Bradley Jaden: Yeah. I mean, I don't know what's happened. I kind of like this. There's just this moment I kind of spoke to my mom earlier today and kind of said, you know, I've been working for 20 years now and and it's and all these things are happening. But I feel very, very lucky that I'm at a part of my life where I can really, really, really appreciate it even more than I ever did and and really look back at it and kind of go, wow, this is a moment that I'll cherish forever and embrace wholeheartedly and and just, you know, take each moment as it possibly comes. And yeah, and it's it's thrilling to be within the business for 20 years and still love it as much as I do. I think that's the thing that really kind of shines and shows to the audience that they can see just how much I love performing and singing. And, you know, when I do get those opportunities to sing with people that have taught me, it's the best feeling in the world.

[26:12] Eila Mell: Yeah. Well, you have to love it to that degree because, you know, you do have to give up a lot to do it.

[26:17] Bradley Jaden: You do. Absolutely. You know, there's always as we always say, there's events and and things and families and loved ones that we leave behind for huge amounts of time or people that can't join us in these amazing places or kind of, you know, it's always, you know, sending videos and go, this was amazing. I saw this moment today, but, you know, wish you were here. And those are those are tough moments, you know. But I think also that fact of being able to do what you love is, you know, one of the greatest blessings in the world to be able to kind of go, wow, I'm actually being paid for the one thing that I love more than anything. So, you know, I feel very, very fortunate. Oh, it's a complete privilege. And it also, you know, for you, especially your career has afforded you the ability to see different parts of the world, you know, touring internationally with Wicked, doing Phantom in Italy. So it's getting to do these huge shows, but also getting to see the world in a way that you probably never would be able to as a tourist.

[27:14] Bradley Jaden: Absolutely. Absolutely. And, you know, there's one thing I've I always kind of told myself and it was what I spoke to my agents about. And, you know, I I never wanted to be I don't want to be rich or famous or people know, you know, I just I wanted to I wanted to work for as long as I possibly could. And I kind of just said to my agent very early on, like, I would love to work around the world. So if I wasn't working in London, I could work in Japan. If I wasn't working in Japan, I could work in Italy. If I wasn't, you know, and it was more than just being very specific and being such a, you know, let's say a name in in London. And my my goal was to see the world and work with artists all over the world and just learn and be educated by these superstars. And, you know, now it's starting to really get to a point where I can kind of look back and go, wow, you know, I think it was like in the last two years, I've done something like 60 countries now where I've performed. And it's just it's just amazing. It's one of the greatest gifts. And, you know, I always always say to everyone, you know, if someone told me tomorrow you need to stop singing, I'd go. I've had the best innings and, you know, I've had the time of my life and I feel very, very lucky.

[28:18] Eila Mell: So, yeah. Well, obviously, everyone knows that you're a wonderful singer, but you also get opportunities for straight roles that don't require any singing.

[28:28] Bradley Jaden: You know what I do? I audition, but I audition for TV film all the time. And my agents are constantly, you know, very much on on the front foot of, you know, asking me to do TV and film and stuff like that. And I've had, you know, wonderful opportunities working within TV inside. But it's one of those things, again, where you have to be out of work to really, you know, TV is so extremely hard. And it's a completely different acting skill, you know, a completely different way of performance. And, you know, I was always very, very scared of that because, you know, I trained in musical theatre. So I never wanted to kind of offend the screen, the screen actors and be like, oh, this is easy. I could do this. You know, it was never that. And but, you know, I also wanted to be really true to myself. And what makes me happy is singing. I think like, you know, when words aren't enough, that's when the voice comes out. And, you know, I truly love the escapism of being able to to make words sound nice. And it's just for me, it's like I've just always pushed more towards the singing, not because of, you know, not wanting to do plays or TV or something like that. It's just I've I've just kind of go a bit more of my happiness than than anything else.

[29:38] Eila Mell: Yeah. They say, you know, you got to love what you do. And obviously you do. So that, yeah, it's worthwhile. You've had the opportunity to play so many great parts over your career. Any dream roles that you're like, one day maybe I could check this off?

[29:52] Bradley Jaden: Oh, yeah. I mean, there's there's so many. Well, the one musical that I just love and I've loved it for so many years.

[30:01] Bradley Jaden: The musical Lord of the Rings was one of the most fantastic musicals that ever came to London and I think it was so far ahead of its time. But I used to go and sit and watch that every week. My friend was playing Frodo and I used to go and see that. But that musical, I just think the music's amazing. So that I always say. I would love to one day perhaps be like the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, just because again, I've studied and watched some of the finest male performers of my generation and above take hold of the reins of that show. You know, I think it's a historic part that any man would be very, very lucky to play. So that role, I think things are a bit again, also like I still film myself quite sprightly and young. So there's the gravitas that needs to happen for certain roles. But like Sweeney Todd, you know, I'd love to do something like that. I do love the darker roles. I can't lie. I think because I just laugh so much in life and giggle so much in life, it's quite nice to do something very different. But yeah, things like that, I think, you know, there is definitely the older, older musicals for myself. You know, Bruce and I had the opportunity to see old friends here in this country. And so we saw your pal Jeremy Seacombe do his Sweeney Todd. Oh, so good. And I know he did a production of it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was again for me like, you know, I did Sweeney Todd with him in that moment. We sang Pretty Women and, you know, we were just able to dance together and, you know, vocally. And it was just wonderful. And again, learning from him was just remarkable. And actually, I then flew out and watched the show and saw the American cast as well. And it was wonderful to kind of go, wow, I was part of something again. Very, very special, you know, to be part of old friends and learn from Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, you know, Joanna Riving. Oh, it was just wonderful. I remember speaking to Cameron and kind of saying, this is nuts. Like I know every night in the wings and just watch these legends perform for free, for free. I was just like, it was crazy. Right. And to sing some of the, you know, the most famous songs and everyone who kind of felt like they got to be part of this gift that I'm sure most of you would have done it for free had they not paid you because it was a job. Absolutely. I mean, the first one when we the original old friends that we did, which was a garden, we all did it for free. And I remember phoning up Cameron and I just said, I have to be part of this. Like he was like, no, no, no. And he was like, no. I was like, honestly, I'll bring on a chair. And that is what I did. I was literally bringing on the chair for like Jamie D. I helped, you know, danger to dance, walk on stage like I literally would have done anything. And then when actually old friends came about, I begged for an audition and there wasn't a role for me. And I phoned up Cameron every week, phoned him up every week and just said, you know, I need an audition. He was like, you know, there isn't anything for you. There is no track. There's no part. And I was like, there has to be. And I basically was like, there isn't a show yet. So you've not created a track. So you need to create a track. And he just said there isn't anything. And then I found the musical director. And again, he was like, his hands were tied. I phoned the music, the director, Matthew Bourne. And, you know, basically just said, you know, I have to be in for this. I have to be seen. And I went in one day. They gave me a three hour audition and I sang the entire show. Any woman, the male songs, everything. I just sang absolutely everything. And I was just like, just give me a line, one line in this one line that. And then my agent, I remember my agent at the time kind of was still making my agent for the last 12 years. But they were kind of like, you know, like, really think about this. You know, you're playing Javert and stuff like that. And I was like, it's not about that to me. It's about like learning and being with people that have just inspired me. And then I got offered the role of actually the prince with Jack Yarrow, who's playing Marius. And we were to sing. Oh, I can't think what it was. The prince is in Into the Woods. Yeah. And yeah, that agony. That's it. That's it. You know, better than I did. And then basically we got into rehearsals and about two days before rehearsals, I got a phone call from Cameron and said, Bernadette Peters wants you to be the wolf. And that was it. I was I was like, whoa. And that was that. And then basically I had the luckiest job in the world because we were working with such huge names that they were taking all the solos and the big, big numbers. But then we needed people that were just like attend the tale of Sweeney Todd. And I was just picking up these lines. So I just became this like kind of, I don't know, this big ensemble member that was just lucky enough to be in like everything. I was carrying suitcases, bringing on chairs. I didn't I would have done anything. And it was just the best career thing for me because it showed me just how much I loved the musical theater even more than I did. And the happiness that it gave me, we were all so, so close. It was honestly, we were just we couldn't even believe our luck. You know, everyone powered through no matter what. And, yeah, I just it just kind of reaffirmed everything in my brain of like all the people that I'd wanted to work with. It was like, oh, they're all nice people as well. So it was, yeah, it was a contract of a lifetime that one for me.

[35:07] Eila Mell: But good for you to have like the tenacity and the yes, I'm not going to give up. And not everyone has that opportunity, but not everyone also gets that same result.

[35:19] Bradley Jaden: And absolutely. I mean, of course, you know, I was I was in a very, very privileged position where I was able to even be able to contact these people. But I would have I would have done it through my agent regardless. Like there was there was not a hope in hell that and I do believe, you know, sometimes when you really know it's something that's worthwhile or something that would just bring you pure happiness. Sometimes you just got to fight for these things. Yeah. And I truly believe that with with anyone kind of coming into the industry, you know, why not? Why does it have to be the big names? Why does it have to be these superstars that would get the bums on seats? And that is, again, why Cameron is so special, because like Les Mis, you don't need a big name to sell it. The show Les Mis, the show Les Mis sells itself. Yeah. So it's the same with old friends. Of course, having Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga was a gift from the heavens. But then he then was unable to bring up people like Marley Fenton, who is now Orpheus in Hadestown in London. Beatrice Penetra is because that is about to be Christine in Phantom of the Opera. Bella Brown, who's just been in Evita with Rachel Zegler. It's all these amazing things that he's like, OK, well, let's bring up the next generation. And we all sat there and we learned from the greatest. And then hopefully in years to come, we might be able to look at the younger generation and go, you know, hopefully we've inspired you and we've kind of shown you the ropes of what we've learned. And, you know, that's such a privileged position, such a privileged position.

[36:45] Eila Mell: Yeah. But also smart that you understood that you needed to take the opportunity because you could have just continued to do what you're doing.

[36:52] Bradley Jaden: Yeah. True. True. But I'm so hungry, though. I love I love working. So I'm like I'm the worst. I'm the worst person. I'm always like, right. OK, cool. We're going to do that. How can I sing again? How can I do this?

[37:04] Eila Mell: I get it. I'm the same way. Someone said to me the other day, why do you work so much? I said, I just love it. I just don't want to do anything else.

[37:11] Bradley Jaden: Yeah, I know. I love also like things like this where you just we get to geek out and tell people how much it means to us. You know, it's so many times people get a stage door, you get to meet people, but it's so quick and you never get.

[37:23] Eila Mell: Yeah. Just get to know. Oh, I love it, too. You know, you know, it's amazing. You know, it's so for me, it's like it's wonderful to have these opportunities to to be able to, like, show how excited I am. So your origin story that you were telling us about going to the audition with your sister reminds me very much of a chorus line.

[37:39] Bradley Jaden: I can do that. True. Yeah. I mean, my sister was you know, she was doing it from I think the age of three. So it was just such a huge part of my upbringing, just watching her go to, you know, all these auditions and recitals and stuff like that, whereas I was I was heavily into martial arts. And that was the kind of I was just doing a lot of like karate and stuff like that. Some of the directions were very, very different. So, yeah, when I kind of got older and I was like, oh, this is this is a lot of fun. Like this is amazing. And, you know, my sister had a great, great career. And then, you know, she just decided she kind of fell out of love with it. And she was like, that's it. I'm done. And, you know, she's actually gone down the route of teaching kids acting, which is amazing. So she gets so much more passion and so much more love from doing that. So, yeah, she's she's really, really happy. And she's a huge, huge inspiration for me.

[38:27] Eila Mell: That's wonderful. Has she been to this show here in New York?

[38:30] Bradley Jaden: No, she hasn't been here just because she's got her husband and three kids. And that was a big old effort. But, yeah, she's she's supported me. I mean, she could probably do Les Mis better than I can. The amount of times that she's been there with my mom and, you know, they've they've both seen it so many, so many times. So, yeah, I think she was just like, I saw it. I saw it in the Royal Albert Hall. I'm good.

[38:49] Eila Mell: Yeah, well, it's nice. I mean, it sounds like you have a really great supportive family and not everyone has that.

[38:56] Bradley Jaden: No, no, I'm honestly I'm bowled over of how my friends and my family are in this, you know, because all of my best mates are very much not in the world of performing arts. My best mate, Ross, he's a mechanic. I make Callum. He's a plasterer. So, you know, when I've not been working, I've just joined them on the building site and stuff like that. And that's been my upbringing. And they've kept me very grounded and kind of, you know, always been said, you know, you need to do this and you need to make sure that you say hello to all these people. And, you know, I've kind of been heavily influenced by my friends and family to to be the man I am today. So I feel very lucky to have them.

[39:30] Eila Mell: Any martial arts skills used in the show?

[39:34] Bradley Jaden: No, not in these ones, not in this one, unfortunately. No, but I got my black belt when I was really, really young. And then I was I was teaching and stuff like that. And it was, yeah, it was a completely different world. And I always love to learn a new skill or something like that. Like I learned like what did I learn in old friends? I learned like the flip blade for like bits of West Side Story and stuff like that. There's always little things I try to, you know, learn. I think it's fun when you get a bit older and you start to be able to kind of love being educated again in different ways and learning new skills and stuff. You know, it's it's when you're at school, we think, oh, this is so boring. This is I don't want to do this. But then, yeah, you get older and you're like, oh, I need to learn this. And I want to learn how to do that. And yes. Yeah. The world is crazy.

[40:16] Eila Mell: It's very different learning on the job than learning in a classroom.

[40:19] Bradley Jaden: It's so much more exciting to learn as you're actually doing something.

[40:23] Eila Mell: Yeah, absolutely. I couldn't agree more.

[40:25] Eila Mell: Well, if you're a listener and you happen to be in the New York area between now and August 9th, you should. Tickets are still available. You can grab maybe a ticket or two to head over to Radio City and check out the Les Mis Arena tour, which I have friends that have gone and have said it is just spectacular and literally a night of their lives.

[40:50] Bradley Jaden: So good. Yeah. Like you said, thank you for plugging the show. It's here till August 9th and we're having the best time. And if it's not me and Killian, it will be Geronimo and Jeremy or Alfie Bowen. You know, it's just led by incredible, huge company. And you will if you're a lover of musical theatre, then go and see it because it's it's honestly like a musical on steroids. And so Cameron McIntosh's Diner is just it's just mind blowing. So, you know, it's not around forever.

[41:20] Eila Mell: Yes. And in a venue that you won't have a chance to see it in again, probably.

[41:24] Bradley Jaden: Exactly. Exactly.

[41:28] Eila Mell: All right. Well, thank you so much for joining us. What a thrill for us.

[41:30] Bradley Jaden: Thank you very much for having me. I appreciate it.

[41:30] Eila Mell: And we'll see everyone next time on Behind the Awards. Bye bye.