Continued...
Were you ever teased about being dyslexic?
When I was young they didn't know what it was I suppose. I was told I was thick by a math teacher. And he said to me, which was a good thing actually, "there is no good doing any of these amateur operatics, you're never gonna be in show business. You need to face the real world."
So what snapped for you then to say fuck you?
It was a real thing of me determining to do it. Like I said, It's a way of expressing myself. I can express myself through dance. And tell a story through dance and it's something I love doing. Whereas I find it hard to write. I mean writing for first night cards for this has literally pushed me over the edge. Always does.
I know you talk about being extremely fortunate and lucky in your own career. But have you ever had to deal with hardships of finances, or food, or places to sleep?
Yes. When I did my first 3 West End Shows. I did 2 when I was still at college. I was very lucky the college let you do that so I only had to miss the afternoon of one day. But, stupidly being young and thinking I'd made it, I did these three West End shows and I didn't save my tax! Didn't save any tax. So then I was banged with a massive tax bill. I was living on planet Zarg I think. And my family weren't very well off at all, I couldn't turn to them. But I had this big bill and I had to pay it over the next three years of my career. It was my own fault and it as a way of learning. And I did pay it all off. I literally had to scrimp and save for two years on the jobs I was doing. Luckily I was on tour with some fabulous friends. And we all took care of each other and I was looked after in that way. But I paid it all off. And I remember my mom being so upset when I told her years later about it. They couldn't have done anything, there's nothing they could have done and I couldn't do that. Even though they've never had a lot of money, I've never been without, I always went to dance class. So that's why when I first did big job and got lots of money, I bought my mum and dad a house near me in Brighton, a bungalow. That's the first thing I wanted to do. I did it.
Are you a momma's boy?
Yeah, a little bit. There's three [of us]. A lesbian, a gay, and a straight girl. My mum always says I've got one of each.
What do you think of dance reality TV shows?
You know what, I've been in one. I did So You Can Dance [in the UK], I did the first series. As a choreographer. Nigel [Lythgoe], I've known him for years, asked me to be a judge originally. And said I'd rather be a choreographer so I could show what I can do. And also when you're are a judge you've got people booing if they don't agree with you. I did four numbers or five. I did the very first number in the show. I was the Broadway choreographer and I was offered the next series and I couldn't do it because I was doing a show. That, I loved because all the dancers that ended up in the end weren't just dancers off the street, they are trained. I love the American one, I think the American one is fabulous. I'm not so mad on all the reality shows that make people stars that aren't stars.
Cup of tea or a drink?
A Drink.
Boxers or Briefs?
Briefs
Where will you go on your next anniversary?
The best anniversary was last year. Me and my partner and my best friend went out for dinner with Liza Minnelli. Because my best friend is her best friend. [Liza] had come over over to watch my production of "She Loves Me" in Chichester, all the way to Chichester and I've become friends with her only through my friend. So on our anniversary, after she'd done her one-woman show in England, she took us out for dinner afterwards. But next year, I'd like to be abroad with my partner.
Biggest piece of advice?
Always show yourself to the best ability you can when you are working with people.
Biggest piece of shit you've ever heard?
Let's think. So many people talk rubbish. Just work hard. You never know who people are gonna meet. It's a small business, however much we think it's big, it's small and it gets around if somebody's a pain in the ass 'cause I won't work with people who are pains in the ass, not in London 'cause I know who they are. People ring me for their shows and ask me what people are like. Keep your nose clean and just do a great job.
Were you ever teased about being dyslexic?
When I was young they didn't know what it was I suppose. I was told I was thick by a math teacher. And he said to me, which was a good thing actually, "there is no good doing any of these amateur operatics, you're never gonna be in show business. You need to face the real world."
So what snapped for you then to say fuck you?
It was a real thing of me determining to do it. Like I said, It's a way of expressing myself. I can express myself through dance. And tell a story through dance and it's something I love doing. Whereas I find it hard to write. I mean writing for first night cards for this has literally pushed me over the edge. Always does.
 |
| Stephen's meticulous gaze in "Till We Reach That Day" |
I know you talk about being extremely fortunate and lucky in your own career. But have you ever had to deal with hardships of finances, or food, or places to sleep?
Yes. When I did my first 3 West End Shows. I did 2 when I was still at college. I was very lucky the college let you do that so I only had to miss the afternoon of one day. But, stupidly being young and thinking I'd made it, I did these three West End shows and I didn't save my tax! Didn't save any tax. So then I was banged with a massive tax bill. I was living on planet Zarg I think. And my family weren't very well off at all, I couldn't turn to them. But I had this big bill and I had to pay it over the next three years of my career. It was my own fault and it as a way of learning. And I did pay it all off. I literally had to scrimp and save for two years on the jobs I was doing. Luckily I was on tour with some fabulous friends. And we all took care of each other and I was looked after in that way. But I paid it all off. And I remember my mom being so upset when I told her years later about it. They couldn't have done anything, there's nothing they could have done and I couldn't do that. Even though they've never had a lot of money, I've never been without, I always went to dance class. So that's why when I first did big job and got lots of money, I bought my mum and dad a house near me in Brighton, a bungalow. That's the first thing I wanted to do. I did it.
Are you a momma's boy?
Yeah, a little bit. There's three [of us]. A lesbian, a gay, and a straight girl. My mum always says I've got one of each.
What do you think of dance reality TV shows?
You know what, I've been in one. I did So You Can Dance [in the UK], I did the first series. As a choreographer. Nigel [Lythgoe], I've known him for years, asked me to be a judge originally. And said I'd rather be a choreographer so I could show what I can do. And also when you're are a judge you've got people booing if they don't agree with you. I did four numbers or five. I did the very first number in the show. I was the Broadway choreographer and I was offered the next series and I couldn't do it because I was doing a show. That, I loved because all the dancers that ended up in the end weren't just dancers off the street, they are trained. I love the American one, I think the American one is fabulous. I'm not so mad on all the reality shows that make people stars that aren't stars.
Cup of tea or a drink?
A Drink.
Boxers or Briefs?
Briefs
Where will you go on your next anniversary?
The best anniversary was last year. Me and my partner and my best friend went out for dinner with Liza Minnelli. Because my best friend is her best friend. [Liza] had come over over to watch my production of "She Loves Me" in Chichester, all the way to Chichester and I've become friends with her only through my friend. So on our anniversary, after she'd done her one-woman show in England, she took us out for dinner afterwards. But next year, I'd like to be abroad with my partner.
Biggest piece of advice?
Always show yourself to the best ability you can when you are working with people.
Biggest piece of shit you've ever heard?
Let's think. So many people talk rubbish. Just work hard. You never know who people are gonna meet. It's a small business, however much we think it's big, it's small and it gets around if somebody's a pain in the ass 'cause I won't work with people who are pains in the ass, not in London 'cause I know who they are. People ring me for their shows and ask me what people are like. Keep your nose clean and just do a great job.