Marcus Collins first rose to fame on The X Factor back in 2011 but since then he has been on tour and had a top 10 album.

Now he is playing Seaweed Stubbs in the stage production of Hairspray so we caught up with him (post-Nandos) for a quick chat...

                                   

You rose to fame on The X Factor Marcus. Can you tell us a bit about that experience?

The X Factor was an incredible experience for me and it really was one of the best platforms I could think of to launch my career and so many amazing things have happened in my life since standing in the queue and auditioning.

Did you ever think you would get to where you are now?

I dreamt of it and I’m a very determined person. When I set my heart on something I continue to go at it until I get what I want. Being in a musical wasn’t something that I ever thought I’d do. I’d thought I’d like to do it but I wasn’t sure how so this has all sort of led me along the path to where I wanted to be and it’s happening. I’m living my dream.

And how does theatre compare to music?

Theatre is a completely different discipline. I have to sing, act and dance seamlessly. It’s a lot different to just standing on stage and performing down the camera. I feed off the audience now and that’s something that has really helped me grow as a performer because I’ve had to learn so much. So now I know if something’s not working I change it and try this approach. Because I’m doing the same thing over and over again, I’m finding different ways to interpret my message and some ways work better than others. It’s really helpful to me.

Marcus during his first audition on The X Factor. 

You play Seaweed Stubbs in Hairspray. What’s that like?

Seaweed is one of the coolest guys ever and he’s such a nice guy. He offers his dance moves to Tracy and wants nothing in return. He has been brought up by his mother and his mother alone as his dad is no longer on the scene so that and the fact that he’s the coolest kid in school. In ways I wish I was like him and in ways I feel I can relate to him. He sings an incredible song in the show and for me it’s one of the highlights of act one so I love to be able to do that and portray my interpretation of Seaweed and it’s an honour to do it.

The film is so well known. Do you feel the pressure of that?

There’s a lot of pressure but I’m loving doing it because people really love the film and I have tried to keep a couple of runs and licks as well as the feeling you get in the film. It’s such high-energy throughout and that’s something that I’ve personally struggled with. In the film its pre-recorded and they’re not doing it like that but I go full-out every night for nine months.

I’ve made sacrifices to make sure my performance is up to scratch and so that I can feel like I’ve done my best. And I’m really proud of everything we’ve achieved up to now. Early nights, vocal rest, sitting in silence, texting instead of speaking and not drinking which has been such a struggle because I love to go out and have a drink with my friends. So I’ve had to make some sacrifices but it’s all been worth it because the reviews have been outstanding and we’ve had standing ovations every performance we’ve given so that means a lot to me.

What sort of preparation did you have to do for the role?

We were in dance training from the beginning of January to this day. We do warm up every single day. You Can’t Stop The Beat is the biggest number in the show where we're all collectively doing the same thing. It’s so high-energy and it takes so much out of you so when you’re doing it two or three times a day, it’s exhausting. You’ve just got to be on the ball. I tend to do a lot of singing while I’m on the running machine because that helps me with my stamina. Also as a vocalist you’ve got to know when to breathe and how to do it correctly. If I don’t breathe at exactly the right second, I won’t be able to sing the next bars.

(Sounds like a lot of hard work if you ask us – we can just about run on a treadmill never mind singing at the same time.)

What do you enjoy most about the show?

I love the message of the show. I love how effortless it is. You don’t realise we’re telling a story until it’s too late and you’re on your feet at the end because everyone’s just enjoying it and going along with it. There’s laughs, there’s struggles, you’ll cry, you’ll feel sorry, you’ll feel certain things aren’t justified and it’s not fair. You really get to know the characters as you’re going along. This isn’t just a normal musical. This is the story of the society we live in and the reason why you and me can be in the same room. It’s a big deal. It’s much more than just singing and dancing and jazz hands. It’s something we’ve all had to live through from either having to go through a struggle to do with weight and discrimination or interracial prejudice. There’s so much.

He plays Seaweed Stubbs in the stage show of Hairspray. 

If you could describe it in three words, what would they be?

I’d say the funniest... no wait. I’d describe it as educational, uplifting and it makes people feel good about themselves. It brightens your day no matter what kind of background you’re from. You’re going to end up loving it. You’ll love it.

And do you like performing for an Irish audience?

I love performing in front of the Irish. It’s like being back home in Liverpool. It’s exactly the same feeling. The atmospheres always buzzing so yea I love Irish crowds, they’re always the loudest.

(We do try!)

Last but not least, what comes next for you?

I’m going back in the studio. I have a couple of singles that I’m going to try to get released by the end of the year. I have a salon that’s going to be open in Liverpool that I’m really excited about as well. It’s going to be a hair and confidence correctional clinic really. I’m not sure what I’m going to call it yet but that’s what I want it to be. It’s going to help people with alopecia, premature balding, whether they’ve pulled their hair out from stress or it’s from radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Just a place people can go for treatment and be pampered. If we can give them that little spark and they can feel good about themselves, then that’s good for me. I want to give something back.

 

Hairspray is on at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from July 16th to August 3rd 2013. Tickets start from €20 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster.