Alex Gaumond
Encyclopedia
Alex Gaumond is an actor, singer and songwriter known mainly for playing the lead roles of Galileo in the Queen
musical We Will Rock You
and Emmett Forrest in the West End
production of musical Legally Blonde
, based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon
.
Gaumond was born in Montreal, Canada from French speaking parents and moved to the UK in 1997 to study at GSA (Guildford School of Acting
) where he graduated with a 1st class BA (Hons) in 2000. He has been based in the UK since.
starring Lea Salonga
, where he was part of the ensemble and understudied the leading role of Chris. He then went on to perform in the same musical in Hong Kong and Singapore in 2001.
2002 saw Gaumond make his professional West End
debut at the Prince of Wales Theatre
where he understudied the roles of Malcolm, Jerry and Ethan in The Full Monty
. After completing this Gaumond then played the character of Malcolm in the national tour of The Full Monty
in 2004, which marked his first leading role.
Between 2002 and 2009 Gaumond made a number of appearances in a variety of UK national tours and London shows such as Rusty Charlie and understudy Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls
(Donmar Warehouse
production), Ray Sunshine in Desperately Seeking Susan, Swing in Sunday in the Park with George
(5 times Olivier Award winning production) and Tom Jenkins in Scrooge at the London Palladium
, which also resulted in a cast album recording with Tommy Steele
.
Gaumond also took part in many workshops and rehearsed readings including the roles of Tony Visconti in 20th Century Boy (a musical about Marc Bolan
from Glam Rock legends T-Rex
), Philippe in Only The Brave, Lt Ratcliffe in Billy Budd and various roles in two workshops of Desperately Seeking Susan.
In 2009 his career took to new levels when he was cast by Ben Elton
, Brian May
and Roger Taylor to play the lead role of Galileo in the original UK tour of their musical We Will Rock You
. This production, running simultaneously with the West End production, marked the first time that the show had ever been taken out on a UK tour. Gaumond performed the role 7 shows a week for 7 months, playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester
, the Sunderland Empire, the Birmingham Hippodrome
and the Bristol Hippodrome
.
In 2009 Gaumond was also cast to play the lead male role of Emmett Forrest in the original UK production of the stage adaptation of Legally Blonde
, at the Savoy Theatre
, London. The West End production, originally starring Sheridan Smith
as Elle Woods, has been highly successful, arguably more so than the original Broadway production, by achieving both critical acclaim and proving extremely popular with London audiences. Due to the popularity of the production, a live album of the London cast (featuring Gaumond) was recorded in June 2010 and released on August 16, 2010. Alex played the role of Emmett for 8 shows a week from 5 December 2009 to 18 June 2011 and was nominated for 'Best Actor in a Musical' in both the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards 2011 and the Laurence Olivier Awards 2011 for his portrayal of the role.
In July 2011 it was announced that Alex would make a much anticipated return to the role of Galileo, but this time in the London production of We Will Rock You
at the Dominion Theatre
, performing 7 shows a week from 8 August 2011.
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
musical We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You (musical)
We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
and Emmett Forrest in the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
production of musical Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde (musical)
Legally Blonde is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to...
, based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon , better known as Reese Witherspoon, is an American actress and film producer. Witherspoon landed her first feature role as the female lead in the film The Man in the Moon in 1991; later that year she made her television acting debut, in the cable movie Wildflower...
.
Gaumond was born in Montreal, Canada from French speaking parents and moved to the UK in 1997 to study at GSA (Guildford School of Acting
Guildford School of Acting
Guildford School of Acting is a drama school located in Guildford, Surrey, England. It is an affiliate of the University of Surrey and is an accredited member of the National Council for Drama Training and The Conference of Drama Schools.-Overview:...
) where he graduated with a 1st class BA (Hons) in 2000. He has been based in the UK since.
Stage career..
Only a few weeks after graduating from GSA in July 2000, Gaumond made his professional debut in a Philippines production of Miss SaigonMiss Saigon
Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr.. It is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover...
starring Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga-Chien is a mezzo-soprano singer and actress from the Philippines well known for originating the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards.She was the first Asian to play the roles of Éponine and...
, where he was part of the ensemble and understudied the leading role of Chris. He then went on to perform in the same musical in Hong Kong and Singapore in 2001.
2002 saw Gaumond make his professional West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
debut at the Prince of Wales Theatre
Prince of Wales Theatre
The Prince of Wales Theatre is a West End theatre on Coventry Street, near Leicester Square in the City of Westminster. It was established in 1884 and rebuilt in 1937, and extensively refurbished in 2004 by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, its current owner...
where he understudied the roles of Malcolm, Jerry and Ethan in The Full Monty
The Full Monty (musical)
The Full Monty is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek.In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club...
. After completing this Gaumond then played the character of Malcolm in the national tour of The Full Monty
The Full Monty (musical)
The Full Monty is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek.In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club...
in 2004, which marked his first leading role.
Between 2002 and 2009 Gaumond made a number of appearances in a variety of UK national tours and London shows such as Rusty Charlie and understudy Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure", two short stories by Damon Runyon, and also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories, most notably...
(Donmar Warehouse
Donmar Warehouse
Donmar Warehouse is a small not-for-profit theatre in the Covent Garden area of London, with a capacity of 251.-About:Under the artistic leadership of Michael Grandage, the theatre has presented some of London’s most memorable award-winning theatrical experiences, as well as garnered critical...
production), Ray Sunshine in Desperately Seeking Susan, Swing in Sunday in the Park with George
Sunday in the Park with George
Sunday in the Park with George is a 1984 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical was inspired by the painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat...
(5 times Olivier Award winning production) and Tom Jenkins in Scrooge at the London Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
, which also resulted in a cast album recording with Tommy Steele
Tommy Steele
Tommy Steele OBE , is an English entertainer. Steele is widely regarded as Britain's first teen idol and rock and roll star.-Singer:...
.
Gaumond also took part in many workshops and rehearsed readings including the roles of Tony Visconti in 20th Century Boy (a musical about Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
from Glam Rock legends T-Rex
T. Rex (band)
T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
), Philippe in Only The Brave, Lt Ratcliffe in Billy Budd and various roles in two workshops of Desperately Seeking Susan.
In 2009 his career took to new levels when he was cast by Ben Elton
Ben Elton
Benjamin Charles "Ben" Elton is an English comedian, author, playwright and director. He was a leading figure in the British alternative comedy movement of the 1980s, as a writer on such cult series as The Young Ones and Blackadder, as well as also a successful stand-up comedian on stage and TV....
, Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
and Roger Taylor to play the lead role of Galileo in the original UK tour of their musical We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You (musical)
We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
. This production, running simultaneously with the West End production, marked the first time that the show had ever been taken out on a UK tour. Gaumond performed the role 7 shows a week for 7 months, playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester
Palace Theatre, Manchester
The Palace Theatre, Manchester, is one of the main theatres in Manchester, England. It is situated on Oxford Street, on the north-east corner of the intersection with Whitworth Street. The Palace and its 'sister' theatre the Manchester Opera House on Quay Street are operated by the same parent...
, the Sunderland Empire, the Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham Hippodrome
The Birmingham Hippodrome is a theatre situated on Hurst Street in the Chinese Quarter of Birmingham, England.Although best known as the home stage of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, it also hosts a wide variety of other performances including visiting opera and ballet companies, touring West End...
and the Bristol Hippodrome
Bristol Hippodrome
The Bristol Hippodrome is a theatre in the centre of Bristol, England with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951. It frequently features West End theatre shows when they tour the UK as well regular visits by Welsh National Opera, and an annual pantomime.- History :The theatre was...
.
In 2009 Gaumond was also cast to play the lead male role of Emmett Forrest in the original UK production of the stage adaptation of Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde (musical)
Legally Blonde is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to...
, at the Savoy Theatre
Savoy Theatre
The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre located in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre opened on 10 October 1881 and was built by Richard D'Oyly Carte on the site of the old Savoy Palace as a showcase for the popular series of comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan,...
, London. The West End production, originally starring Sheridan Smith
Sheridan Smith
Sheridan Smith is an English actress and singer who is best known for her contributions to the British sitcoms Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm. She has also become a recognised face in West End theatre, where she has appeared in Little Shop of Horrors,...
as Elle Woods, has been highly successful, arguably more so than the original Broadway production, by achieving both critical acclaim and proving extremely popular with London audiences. Due to the popularity of the production, a live album of the London cast (featuring Gaumond) was recorded in June 2010 and released on August 16, 2010. Alex played the role of Emmett for 8 shows a week from 5 December 2009 to 18 June 2011 and was nominated for 'Best Actor in a Musical' in both the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards 2011 and the Laurence Olivier Awards 2011 for his portrayal of the role.
In July 2011 it was announced that Alex would make a much anticipated return to the role of Galileo, but this time in the London production of We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You (musical)
We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
at the Dominion Theatre
Dominion Theatre
The Dominion Theatre is a West End theatre on Tottenham Court Road close to St Giles Circus and Centre Point Tower, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:...
, performing 7 shows a week from 8 August 2011.
Professional theatre credits
| Start date | End date | Production | Role(s) | Venue(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 September 2000 | 31 March 2001 | Miss Saigon Miss Saigon Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr.. It is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover... |
Ensemble, Chris u/s | Cultural Center of the Philippines Cultural Center of the Philippines The Cultural Center of the Philippines is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established through Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966 by President Ferdinand Marcos... |
| May 2001 | July 2001 | Hong Kong Cultural Centre Hong Kong Cultural Centre The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a multipurpose performance facility in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Hong Kong. Located at Salisbury Road, it was founded by the former Urban Council and, after 2000, is administered by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong Government... |
||
| August 2001 | October 2001 | Kallang Theatre, Singapore | ||
| 3 June 2002 | 23 November 2002 | The Full Monty The Full Monty (musical) The Full Monty is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek.In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club... |
Minister, Malcolm/Jerry/Ethan u/s | Prince of Wales Theatre Prince of Wales Theatre The Prince of Wales Theatre is a West End theatre on Coventry Street, near Leicester Square in the City of Westminster. It was established in 1884 and rebuilt in 1937, and extensively refurbished in 2004 by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, its current owner... |
| April 2003 | April 2003 | Jesus Christ Superstar Jesus Christ Superstar Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971... Arena Concerts |
Apostle/Soldier | Scandinavium Arena Scandinavium Scandinavium is the primary indoor sports and event arena in Gothenburg, Sweden. Construction on Scandinavium began in 1969 after decades of setbacks, the arena was built in time for the 350th year anniversary celebration of the City of Gothenburg and was inaugurated on May 18, 1971.Scandinavium... Globen Arena |
| May 2003 | December 2003 | Miss Saigon Miss Saigon Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr.. It is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover... |
Ensemble | Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Hippodrome The Birmingham Hippodrome is a theatre situated on Hurst Street in the Chinese Quarter of Birmingham, England.Although best known as the home stage of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, it also hosts a wide variety of other performances including visiting opera and ballet companies, touring West End... Southampton Mayflower Theatre Mayflower Theatre The Mayflower is a Grade II listed theatre, in the city centre of Southampton, United Kingdom, with a capacity of 2,300. It features West End theatre shows when they tour the UK. The theatre opened on the 22 December 1928, as The Empire Theatre, part of the Moss Empire theatre group... |
| 5 February 2004 | October 2004 | The Full Monty The Full Monty (musical) The Full Monty is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek.In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club... |
Malcolm MacGregor | Various Venues across UK |
| 20 October 2005 | 14 January 2006 | Scrooge | Tom Jenkins | London Palladium London Palladium The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety... |
| 13 May 2006 | 2 September 2006 | Sunday in the Park with George Sunday in the Park with George Sunday in the Park with George is a 1984 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical was inspired by the painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat... |
Swing | Wyndham's Theatre Wyndham's Theatre Wyndham's Theatre is a West End theatre, one of two opened by the actor/manager Charles Wyndham . Located on Charing Cross Road, in the City of Westminster, it was designed by W.G.R. Sprague about 1898, the architect of six other London theatres between then and 1916... |
| 16 September 2006 | 7 July 2007 | Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure", two short stories by Damon Runyon, and also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories, most notably... |
Rusty Charlie, Nathan Detroit u/s | Various Venues across UK |
| 16 October 2007 | 15 December 2007 | Desperately Seeking Susan | Ray Sunshine | Novello Theatre Novello Theatre The Novello Theatre is a West End theatre on Aldwych, in the City of Westminster.-History:The theatre was built as one of a pair with the Aldwych Theatre on either side of the Waldorf Hotel, both being designed by W. G. R. Sprague. The theatre opened as the Waldorf Theatre on 22 May 1905, and was... |
| 25 March 2009 | 17 October 2009 | We Will Rock You We Will Rock You (musical) We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor... |
Galileo | Palace Theatre, Manchester Palace Theatre, Manchester The Palace Theatre, Manchester, is one of the main theatres in Manchester, England. It is situated on Oxford Street, on the north-east corner of the intersection with Whitworth Street. The Palace and its 'sister' theatre the Manchester Opera House on Quay Street are operated by the same parent... Sunderland Empire Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Hippodrome The Birmingham Hippodrome is a theatre situated on Hurst Street in the Chinese Quarter of Birmingham, England.Although best known as the home stage of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, it also hosts a wide variety of other performances including visiting opera and ballet companies, touring West End... Bristol Hippodrome Bristol Hippodrome The Bristol Hippodrome is a theatre in the centre of Bristol, England with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951. It frequently features West End theatre shows when they tour the UK as well regular visits by Welsh National Opera, and an annual pantomime.- History :The theatre was... |
| 5 December 2009 | 18 June 2011 | Legally Blonde Legally Blonde (musical) Legally Blonde is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. The story is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to... |
Emmett Forrest | Savoy Theatre Savoy Theatre The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre located in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre opened on 10 October 1881 and was built by Richard D'Oyly Carte on the site of the old Savoy Palace as a showcase for the popular series of comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan,... |
| 8 August 2011 | - | We Will Rock You We Will Rock You (musical) We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor... |
Galileo | Dominion Theatre Dominion Theatre The Dominion Theatre is a West End theatre on Tottenham Court Road close to St Giles Circus and Centre Point Tower, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:... |