Ep 45: Alex Bourne, West End lead and Olivier nominee.

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Alex made his West End debut in the RSC/Opera North production of Showboat at The London Palladium in 1991. Shortly after this he joined the London production of Buddy at The Victoria Palace Theatre. In 1992 Alex joined the American touring company of Buddy and performed at The White House in the presence of President & Mrs George Bush.

On his return Alex took over the role of Buddy Holly (his idol!) in the London production for two years. He went on to Only The Lonely at The Whitehall theatre, London and then played Kenickie in the 1st National tour of Grease, taking over the lead role of Danny Zuko when the show transferred to the Cambridge Theatre, London. After this, Alex played the role of Gaston in Disney's Beauty & The Beast at the Dominion Theatre, London.

A change of pace saw Alex in stockings and suspenders as Dr. Frank'n'Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. He then played another one of his singing idols, Dean Martin in The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas on the national tour. After a stint in Chicago at The Adelphi, London playing Billy Flynn, and tours of The Magnificent Musicals with Ruthie Henshall, Alex returned to Disney's Beauty & The Beast, this time playing the role of The Beast, before playing Dean Martin again in The Rat Pack at the then Strand Theatre, London.

Alex then joined the cast of We Will Rock You at The Dominion theatre which was to be his home for the next six years playing Khashoggi. During this time, Alex became a father to his beloved daughter Josie, after marrying his wife, Jo in Las Vegas! (as a life-long Elvis fan – where else?!)

A career highlight followed when he played Fred/Petruchio in Trevor Nunn's production of Kiss Me, Kate at Chichester and then The Old Vic theatre, London for which he received an Olivier nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.

Alex played Daryl Van Horne in Craig Revel Horwood's production of The Witches Of Eastwick at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury for which he received a TMA nomination for Best Actor and then went on to originate the role of Bob in Midsummer Songs at the New Wolsey theatre, Ipswich. He performed in his first ever pantomime in 2014 playing Captain Hook at the King's theatre, Glasgow with the much loved Greg McHugh.

His Annie journey began in 2015 when he played his dream role of Daddy Warbucks on the national tour for a year. He then did his second pantomime as Blackheart in Robinson Crusoe at Cliff's Pavilion, Southend with Gok Wan and Brian Conley.

In early 2017, Alex played Sam Carmichael in the national tour of Mamma Mia! just prior to the London and Toronto productions of Annie during 2017/18. Most recently he appeared as Lex Hogan in the new British musical, Eugenius at The Other Palace, London.

Over the years, Alex has been privileged to perform in numerous concerts and broadcasts including – Friday Night is Music Night for BBC Radio 2, A Night of a Thousand Voices at The Royal Albert Hall, "All About Bond" at The Henley Festival with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Kiss Me, Kate BBC Prom with the John Wilson Orchestra at The Royal Albert Hall for BBC2 and he was honoured to perform live at The Olivier Awards the year of his nomination.

Alex would like to thank all the amazing “Annies” he has worked with, for making this show so special.