Lewis Cornay stars in Whistle Down The Wind – the first major UK revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman’s 1996 rock musical since 2010 – which will play at The Watermill from Friday 22 July until Saturday 10 September.
Directed by Tom Jackson Greaves, Whistle Down The Wind will feature a company of actor musicians alongside a cast of talented local young people.
You’re starring in Whistle Down The Wind at The Watermill Theatre, what can you tell us about the show?
The show is a really detailed examination of the lives of a community in rural Louisiana in the late 1950’s. A group of children find a man in their barn who they believe is Jesus. They protect him at all costs whilst the community around them are trying to hunt him down. It’s a piece about redemption, religion and our obsession with the binary of good and bad.
This is the first major revival in over a decade, how will it appeal to old and new audiences?
I think the themes of the show are very current. Religious extremism and scapegoating seems very much in the zeitgeist right now. With our new stripped back version we really tap into the psyche and rip open the complexities of the characters. It’s also a show that is heavily seeped in the effects of grief. We’ve all experienced this in one way or another and so I think it’s very relatable. Tom Jackson Greaves has actually added a new character to the show who helps physicalise this in more detail, but don’t want to give too much away!
I also think the music is so powerful. With new orchestrations and arrangements by Stuart Morley and musical direction by George Frances, we’ve created a sound that’s very unique to the show. People who are already know the music should come and hear a more authentic, emotive version of the score.
How would you describe that Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman’s score?
It’s epic! I’m on electric guitar a fair bit in the show, and they really do love a guitar solo! It seems to cross a lot of genres from folk to rock to classic musical theatre but all in a way that feels truthful to the action. It’s a real pleasure to get to sing their work, especially the rock ’n’ sections. I haven’t had the chance to tap into this part of my voice since training and I’m loving the freedom.
You’re playing Amos, tell us a little about the character?
Amos is a local teen who’s desperate to escape the small town. He’s a bit of a player and in love with two different girls. Swallow is his pull to stay and Candy is his pull to escape. Coming from a difficult upbringing he is constantly on the verge of exploding and lashing out. Ultimately he’s a really complex teenage boy who hasn’t quite found his place in the world yet.
What are you looking forward to most about working at The Watermill?
The community. We all live onsite and a lot of people working at the theatre live very close by so it does feel like a retreat. I’ve wanted to work here for a while now just because I think the calibre of shows are always so high without sacrificing any authenticity. Everything is done with love and kindness, I wish every venue was a bit more Watermill!
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see Whistle Down The Wind?
Come! If you’re at all familiar with the piece then throw any preconceived ideas away. Our version is fresh, gutsy and full of heart. I also think it would be a real shame to miss this cast. Honestly, every member of the group is just phenomenal and so perfectly cast. And with the ridiculously brilliant Tom Jackson Greaves it feels like we’ve all created something very intimate and special. Also, hearing Lydia White belt out ‘Whistle Down The Wind’ is worth the ticket price alone!
