Nod to John Travolta's hit film but Jack brings own flavour to Saturday Night Fever

Jack Wilcox is donning the famous white suit and platforms and strutting his way to the Princess Theatre, Torquay, in the hit musical Saturday Night Fever this autumn, writes DAWN GILLINGWATER.

The stage star is playing disco dynamite Tony Manero, made famous by John Travolta in the film of the same name.

The Torbay Weekly caught up with Jack while he was in Belfast with the tour, which recently started its run in Milton Keynes.

“It’s going really well, we’ve had great audiences and they are really up for it. It’s still fairly fresh and exciting for us,” said Jack.

“We’re in Belfast right now and I went to the Titantic Museum. I try and tick one or two things off in each place we go to. I’m going to start looking up what I can see in Torquay.”

Playing such a recognisable role as Tony, Jack said he has felt the pressure to get it just right for the stage show.

“It’s such an iconic character and I think John Travolta did such a brilliant job in the film,” said Jack.

“The director and I decided we wanted to show glimpses of what Travolta brought to the film, such as the iconic strut and we felt we needed to add one or two lines that film fans will recognise straight away.

“We went for having a nod to the film, but for me as an actor, I wanted to bring my own truth to it as well.

“There are a lot of fans of the film that we wanted to keep them happy, but I also wanted to bring my own flavour to it.”

When asked about the process of becoming ‘Tony’, he says it begins when he’s getting ready backstage.

“It starts with the quiffing of the hair about half an hour before we go on. It takes some doing,” he joked.

“But really it’s when the overture kicks in and the band starts playing and I’m stood on stage waiting for the curtain to go up and I’m waiting to strut and the energy starts flowing and I become Tony.”

Saturday Night Fever tells the story of Tony Manero and his reckless road to dancing success and features countless hits by the Bee Gees.

The timeless film celebrated it’s 45 anniversary this year and this new touring stage show plays homage with more drama, more music, and hot new choreography.

“It really has stood test of time,” said Jack.

“The music was ground-breaking, it really was. It really boosted the disco scene. There are so many iconic Bee Gees songs included in the musical including How Deep is your Love, Tragedy .

“It’s a real catalogue of amazing songs. I grew up listening to the Bee Gees and having their songs on in my Mum’s car, but I didn’t realise the depth their songs and how great their music is.

“This is definitely not a juke box musical though. The script has a lot of depth to it. It’s quite challenging, it touches on issues such as racism, abuse, sexism and suicide. It’s a real journey and the audience are with you the whole time.

“It’s not just fluffy. People go away having a great time as the music and dancing is sensational, but they will also go away feeling challenged and I think that’s what theatre is all about.

“Audiences, for me, need to be really moved or uplifted by it. We aren’t doing surgery or important work but it’s great to know people are having a good time and it’s real escapism.”

Jack need not worry about playing an iconic role as he has a shining CV. He’s played an array of different characters and appeared in some of the country’s most well-loved and respected productions including Anything Goes, White Christmas, Wicked, Sweeney Todd, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and many more.

“I started tap dancing at six years old and it spiralled from there,” said Jack.

“My older sister used to go to dance classes and chucked me in with her to have a break and I took to it. It grew from there.

“At 11, I started training professionally at Tring Park. I did academics in morning and vocational classes in the afternoon until I was 18. I then got an agent and started working. I feel very fortunate that things fell into place for me.”

He may have performed in the top shows around, but one really stands out for him to day.

“I played Riff on a UK tour for a year in Westside Story,” said Jack proudly.

“It’s the perfect musical and it’s a triple threat role as there is singing, dancing and acting and it has everything.”

He’s now looking forward to coming to Torbay, having never performed in the area before.

“I looked on Google Earth and saw there is a fish and chip shop right by the theatre, which is fantastic but deadly,” he said laughing.

“I’m a fairly new dad as I have a one year old. My son and wife will be with me and I feel blessed they are on the road with me.

“It’s exciting they can come and explore new towns and cities with me.”

See Saturday Night Fever at the Princess Theatre, Torquay from November 15 to 19. For tickets, visit www.atgtickets.com