There are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon than in a dressing room with one of the greatest boy bands of all time. Vicky Edwards draws the long straw and pops in on Take That’s Gary, Howard and Mark for a chat about the runaway success of their musical The Band, as well as discovering which of them steals chocolate from their children…
Gary, Mark and Howard don’t mind admitting that right now they are extremely proud producers. Joined by Robbie Williams, and along with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, two of the most experienced and well-regarded theatrical producers in the land, the boys find themselves at the helm of a new musical that wins fans wherever it goes and that has extended its tour – including a West End run – due to demand for tickets.
Agreeing that it reinforces their hunch that this would be a show people would fall in love with, a beaming Howard gets in first to express delight.
“It is incredible to say we’re coming to London and touring until March next year – the longevity is brilliant! The key to its success is familiarity; it strikes a chord with people’s lives by being a reflection for anyone who has ever been a fan or a supporter, or anyone who has had a group of friends and known love, friendship and loss. “The only let down is that the music is crap,” he jokes, referring to the Take That hits that provide The Band’s soundtrack.
“We are made up that people are connecting with the show and enjoying it so much,” says Mark Owen. “Sometimes I feel a bit guilty for the young guys who won the competition [the five boys who won TV’s ‘Let it Shine’ search for the musical’s title roles] because I don’t think they knew just how much work was involved. But I guess it’s a dream for them and I am made up for them, too.”
“Absolutely!” echoes Gary Barlow, delight written all over his handsome face. “I don’t think we could have imagined the pride we would feel every time The Band goes into a new city.”
Gary, Mark and Howard don’t mind admitting that right now they are extremely proud producers. Joined by Robbie Williams, and along with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, two of the most experienced and well-regarded theatrical producers in the land, the boys find themselves at the helm of a new musical that wins fans wherever it goes and that has extended its tour – including a West End run – due to demand for tickets.
Agreeing that it reinforces their hunch that this would be a show people would fall in love with, a beaming Howard gets in first to express delight.
“It is incredible to say we’re coming to London and touring until March next year – the longevity is brilliant! The key to its success is familiarity; it strikes a chord with people’s lives by being a reflection for anyone who has ever been a fan or a supporter, or anyone who has had a group of friends and known love, friendship and loss. “The only let down is that the music is crap,” he jokes, referring to the Take That hits that provide The Band’s soundtrack.
“We are made up that people are connecting with the show and enjoying it so much,” says Mark Owen. “Sometimes I feel a bit guilty for the young guys who won the competition [the five boys who won TV’s ‘Let it Shine’ search for the musical’s title roles] because I don’t think they knew just how much work was involved. But I guess it’s a dream for them and I am made up for them, too.”
“Absolutely!” echoes Gary Barlow, delight written all over his handsome face. “I don’t think we could have imagined the pride we would feel every time The Band goes into a new city.”
And don’t be thinking that The Band is a show that only ladies or die-hard Take That fans will enjoy. Howard is adamant on that point: “Listen, while guys might be sceptical about coming to see the show, it IS relevant to them too. Whether they like the music or not, they will thoroughly enjoy the show,” he promises.
As for mentoring the phenomenally talented young bucks who collectively play the title role, Howard confesses that as well as enjoying being a guru to AJ, Curtis, Nick, Sario and Yazdan, it is not a role he ever envisaged himself in.
“I never envisaged being a pop star let alone a producer – I was on a YTS training scheme to be a vehicle painter and panel beater when I joined Take That, but luckily we had the right people behind us. The lads [of The Band] are really down to earth, which is how we formed our friendship, how we grew up as a group and how we can now regroup. Who knows; maybe Jason will come back one day? We’re not looking at it like that, but that we have all matured and stayed mates means that there is always possibility.”
“I’ve enjoyed the mentoring more than anything,” agrees Mark. “You feel like a father to his son and we had sit-down talks about looking after each other and about going out into the world! It has been a real pleasure. Their energy is really positive and so they inspire us. It really does work both ways.”
The show sees the older women looking back at their younger selves and I’m curious to know what advice, with the benefit of hindsight, the trio would give themselves at, say, sixteen. Gary doesn’t need time to think.
“I’d say grab it and enjoy this moment right now. It sounds so corny but this young cast are at such an amazing time in their lives, but they may have some tough years ahead. It’s so important to enjoy the here and now. We give ourselves a pep talk now and again, especially before tours,” he tells me, nodding in response to my suggestion that the adage of ‘with age comes experience’ is a truism and that becoming complacent with success and all its trimmings simply isn’t an option. With absolute sincerity he adds: “We really do appreciate all that we have.”
“Yeah, I’d say much the same,” Howard concurs. “I’d definitely advise my younger self to take it all in and enjoy it, although that can be easier said than done. We were literally lifted off our feet and for six years we had no time for girlfriends and family. I have kids and I am so lucky that I have a job that means that I can usually be with them all day long and just go off on tour now and again.”
“What would I say to my younger self?” Mark muses, before laughing and saying: “A lot! I’d probably have a big sit-down with myself! But mostly I’d say just embrace it all; the ups and downs and left and rights. Oh, and don’t have that first fag; don’t start smoking. My thing is chocolate now. Don’t tell anyone but I did eat some of my children’s Easter Eggs this year.”
Harking back to their teen years makes them recall what was going on for them then.
“I so wanted to be a pilot,” sighs Howard. “I’ve still got a dream of flying a plane, although maybe not a commercial airline,” he amends. “I remember that on my wall I had pictures of cars. Weird! I didn’t start getting into girls until I was 16; I was a late starter. But I made up for it!”
“I was quite into football so Pelé, Maradona and Liverpool players were my pin-ups. Music wise it was Madonna and Elvis,” recalls Mark. “I loved Elvis and grew up listening to him because mum was a big fan. I used to put lard in my hair and sing Elvis songs – mum went mad with me!”
Admitting to being obsessed with music from the of 10, spending hours on end in front of a piano and a synthesizer, Gary’s bedroom wall paid homage to the likes of Adam Ant, The Human League and Depeche Mode.
“I am so grateful that I had music and singing lessons from early on. They have been the foundation for a long career; the building blocks. The time when you have no family or work pressures is the time to really learn and I did, thank God.”
So what next for The Band – a second tour?
Gary gives me an enigmatic smile. “We have plans because The Band is a musical that we believe in so much. By no means have we reached our goal” he teases.
I’ll be watching this space. Whatever they aim for, I’ll bet Take That match the action to their name.
The Band runs at The Lowry from Wednesday 16 January until Saturday 26 January 2019.
©Vicky Edwards
Image credits: Matt Crockett