Colm wilkinson biography wikipedia

Irish singer and actor (born 1944)

Musical artist

Colm Wilkinson (born 5 June 1944), also known as C. T. Wilkinson, is an Irish singer and actor who is best known for originating the lead role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (in the West End and Broadway) and for creating the title role in The Phantom of the Opera (1985) preview at the Sydmonton Festival and the original Canadian production.

Due to his association with these musicals, he reprised the role of Jean Valjean during the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert (at The Royal Albert Hall), as well as appearing as a special guest at the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena and The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.

His versions of both "The Music of the Night" from Phantom and "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables are acclaimed throughout the world; fans "insist he perform them...at all his concerts."

Early life

Born in Drimnagh, in 1944, in the downstairs room of his parents' house, Wilkinson was one of ten children. He recalls a home that resonated with singing, poetry, and musical instruments. Both of his parents were skilled musicians. His mother, a native of Crossmolina in County Mayo, was a singer, and was involved in amateur dramatics, while the banjo and mandolin formed part of his father's extensive repertoire. Wilkinson worked with his father, who was an asphalt contractor, and was playing in bands part-time. At 16 years of age, he went to the US on a tour, and soon after quit the family business to become a full-time professional musician.

Life and career

After playing in several Irish bands which included The Action (not to be confused with an English band of the same name), in 1972, Wilkinson was cast as Judas Iscariot in the Dublin production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar; he went on to reprise the role in London and on the British national tour.^[4&

Colm Wilkinson

Colm Wilkinson is an Irish singer. He is best known for originating the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and for playing the title role in The Phantom of the Opera.

Career[]

After playing in several Irish bands, in 1972 Colm was cast as Judas Iscariot in the Dublin production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar; a role he went on to reprise in London and on the British national tour.

In 1976, Colm sang the part of Che on the concept album for the musical Evita. Instead of auditioning for the role when the production was launched in London, Colm launched a solo career as a singer-songwriter.

In 1985, he collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber once again, originating the role of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera at the Sydmonton workshop. Colm was offered the role for the show's début on the West End, but instead chose to play Jean Valjean in Les Misérables.

The London production of Les Misérables opened in October 1985, and transferred to Broadway in March 1987. Originally, the American Actors' Equity Association refused to allow Colm to play the part of Valjean in New York, due to their policy of hiring only American actors. At this, producer Cameron Mackintosh refused to open the show unless Colm played Valjean, and Actors' Equity relented. Colm won the Helen Hayes Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Theatre World Award for his performance; he was nominated for the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

Colm plays the part of Lord Darcy in the third season showing of Showtimes miniseries The Tudors which began airing on 12 April 2009.

On 3 October 2010, Wilkinson was a special guest at the 25th Anniversary Concerts of Les Misérables, at the O2 Arena, alongside many other original cast members. He performed as part of a 'Valjean Quartet'; alongside Alfie Boe, John Owen-Jones and Simon Bowman (ea