In our profile series, Tell Us In 10, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. From how their colleagues would describe them and alternative careers, to their Theatreland idols, we want to know it all!
Answering our questions this week is Bobby Hodges, who’s one of the incredible Featured Irish Dancers in Heartbeat Of Home.
1. My route into theatre was…
When I joined the cast of Lord Of The Dance in 2008.
After performing the lead role for four years I joined the dance group Prodijig to help create their debut show Footstorm which toured the UK and Ireland. That was when the team behind Heartbeat Of Home (who also brought the world Riverdance) asked me if I wanted to be part of their original cast as part of the male lead team. I’ve been touring with Heartbeat Of Home and Riverdance as one of the principal dancers ever since.
2. My West End idol is…
Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope in An American In Paris (Photo: Matthew Murphy)
Robert Fairchild.
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
Someone who as an abundance of energy and enthusiasm who doesn’t take himself too seriously.
4. My favourite show present or past (that isn’t one I star in) is…
My two favourites are An American In Paris and Mary Poppins.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
Leading the Westend debut of Heartbeat of Home at the London Palladium this year.
6. The hardest part about my role is…
Trying to ensure I maintain my body weight: Heartbeat Of Home is a very physically demanding role for the male lead and I have a tendency to lose weight quickly if I don’t manage my food intake.
7. If I didn’t work in theatre I would be…
Lost!
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
I am an avid rugby fun and poker player.
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Embrace what makes you different and just go for it. As Fred Astaire said, “Do it big, do it right and do it with style”.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Take more risks. It was when I left my comfort zone that my dancing career started to take off.
You can see Bobby in Heartbeat Of Home by booking tickets right here on Official London Theatre!
And check out these other Tell Us In 10 interviews!
- Lucie Jones from Waitress
- Noel Sullivan from School Of Rock
- Jamie Ballard from Harry Potter And The Cursed Child
- Nicholai La Barrie, Director of Young People at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
- Danielle Bird from The Worst Witch
- Max Vernon, writer of The ViewUpStairs
- Andrew Langtree from The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ – The Musical