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 castmates would describe them and alternative careers, to their Theatreland idols, we want to know it all!
This week, we hear from Jordan Benjamin, who’s currently playing Mayor Goldie Wilson in Back To The Future: The Musical.
If you’re a Back To The Future fan, you can also check out Amber Davies (Lorraine Baines) and Oliver Nicholas‘ (George McFly) interviews!
Find out more about Jordan and his career so far below:
1. My route into theatre was…
When I was 11, I started to attend a local theatre company called ‘Young and Talented, School of Stage and Screen’ where every Saturday we would practice in the three disciplines; singing, dancing and acting. Through Young and Talented came a huge wave of exciting opportunities, which led to me having my first agent at age 11, and my first supporting lead in a television series at age 12. Since then my life completely changed, with live performances, interviews, Tv appearances, as well as continuing to train every Saturday and grow as a performer and as a person. Once I was 18 I told my agent “I really want to get into theatre” because I feel the most alive and fulfilled when in front of an audience, and Hairspray auditions came along not long after and here we are.
2. My West End idol is…
I don’t really have a West End idol as such. I didn’t grow up seeing or following many shows, so the West End is still very new to me. However there are people that I have worked with, such as Sharlene Hector and Rodger Bart that every day continue to amaze me, and if an idol is just a person you look up to, are amazed by and wish to continue learning from; then those two are my West End idols, and not just because of their talent, but also their character.
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
A. Ball. Of. Energy. This description follows me everywhere I go.
4. My favourite show present or past (that isn’t one I star in) is…
Tina The Musical. I was in literal tears.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
Performing solo at the Royal Albert Hall for Magic at the Musicals. Don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous as I was that day, but it was such an incredible experience.
6. The hardest part about my role is…
The long break I have in the show. If anyone has seen the show, Goldie has an incredible high after his big number ‘Gotta Start Somewhere’ in act 1, but then you don’t see him again until halfway through act 2. So while you as the audience is still enjoying the show and being energised, I’m trying my hardest not to fall asleep and miss my queue or allow my voice to also fall asleep.
7. If I didn’t work in theatre I would be…
An athlete. I really enjoyed sports as a kid, and still do. I was in the football, basketball and athletics teams, as well as doing Ju Jitsu outside of school. So whether I pursued Track and Field or combat sports, I would be an athlete. Also I really wanted to be a zoologist because I love animals, but I was terrible at biology.
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
I have a very flexible top lip, and can push it out to a point at will, pretty much making my lip look like a beak. So random but I’ve always been able to do it, my dad also has the same skill so I think it just runs in the family.
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Don’t limit yourself. As a child I always had the mindset of only pursuing what I saw as ‘realistic’, but if there’s anything my life has taught me, it’s that anything is possible if you want it enough.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Don’t take yourself so seriously, have more fun!