Ask the Experts: John
John Barrowman answers your questions.
We asked you to send in your questions for leading man and star of Doctor Who John Barrowman - and we were overwhelmed.
He took time out from filming Torchwood to answer a selection.
Nicola asks: What three main qualities are you looking for in your Maria?
John: Personality, stage presence and sexiness.
Julie asks: It has been said that said that you are looking for someone who will "light up the stage". Do you think that this quality comes from within, or is this something that can be taught?
John: If you have it and it comes from within that's a gift and right now, if I was to choose any of our Marias, off the top of my head I'd say Connie has that. You can teach it, it's a little difficult to teach but people can grasp it and people like Aoife and Siobhan are showing that possibility.
Lyn asks: Has your experience earlier this year, being on Dancing on Ice where you were on the receiving end of comments both good and bad, affected your approach to judging the Marias and how you word those comments?
John: It has actually, because I'm absolutely honest. I'm not doing it for the camera's sake or for the viewing audience's sake or to think about ratings. I'm doing it because I'm passionate about it and it's what I believe in.
That's why I was so angry when Belinda was voted off because a similar thing happened to me on Dancing On Ice. That's why I am adamant that this is about talent and the ability to perform in the West End, not about who is the trendiest, who is the prettiest or who is the one with the best figure.
Sophie asks: Do you think the right Marias have been sent home?
John: Yes, but Belinda was sent home too soon. We didn't get to see enough of her, she could have surprised us.
John asks: Would you be interested in playing Von Trapp if the offer came up?
John: We've already talked about it but I can't because I'm far too busy with Torchwood, Doctor Who, doing pantomime in Cardiff and a concert I'm doing for BBC Radio Two. But who knows what could happen in the future.
Hayley asks: I was wondering, of all the musicals you have done, what's the best role you had and why?
John: I get asked this question all the time and I answer the same answer all the time – I cannot pick a favourite because each one at that particular time is my favourite because I'm committed to it. I would say I have an affection for Cole Porter because that's the composer who I began my career with and also [that led to] a big resurgence in my career about two or three years ago.
Wendy asks: if you could play any role in an existing musical, what would it be and who would be your ideal leading lady?
John: At the moment, in the West End there isn't much that I'd like to do. I would like to have a new Lloyd Webber musical written for me. I was asked to do about doing Spamelot but I couldn't do that also, and that might have been one of my favourites to do. My ultimate leading lady, not necessarily to be in a musical with, would be Meryl Streep, just because I think she's a fantastic actress.
Daniel asks: Will you be performing your one man cabaret again?
John: At the moment there's nothing planned. I'd love to do it again. I might even try and do something in Cardiff in the New Year. The Christmas concert I'm doing for BBC Radio Two will somewhat like the cabaret but, shall we say, less adult orientated! It will consist of Christmas songs and other songs.
Angela asks: Is there a new album coming out?
John: We're working on that, we're waiting to hear from record companies.
Libby asks: You have done everything from musical theatre, TV, to Dancing On Ice and you are a judge on How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Is there anything else you would like to do?
John: I'd like to have a vacation. Anything that is involved in the entertainment industry – I'm here to entertain people and if something comes upå I wouldn't mind doing a TV sitcom and a new musical written for me.
Heather asks: You always appear very confident. Do you ever get nervous when performing and if so how do you overcome it?
John: I always get nervous but the thing I'm trying to get across to these girls is you can't let it show. The only people that know I'm nervous before a performance are my partner, Scott and my mother and father if they are with me. They know the signals and the signs and they know to leave me alone and to have my moment. Nobody else knows, and that allows me to be in control, to be the leading man and to lead the company.
Do you have any rituals you perform?
John: Not really. I have quirks - I don't allow people to mention the Scottish play backstage. I've actually refused to go on because a stage manager was being silly and said it, just before the curtain went up. I said 'You have to walk out of the stage door, spin around three times, spit, swear, be invited back in the building before I go back on stage'. I made him do it. The producers understood because they are theatre people. I'm very superstitious.
Claire: Do you have any funny stories from rehearsals for any of the shows you've been in?
John: There's loads. There's always something outrageous going on in rehearsals, from somebody's pants snapping and falling down or to me baring my butt in the middle of a scene so that people crack up. I always do stuff. I like a happy company.
Steven asks: How's Torchwood coming along? What can you tell us about it?
John: Torchwood is coming along fine, we're halfway through filming, doing two episodes at a time. I can tell you that it's going to be amazing. I have seen the first episode and I'm completely overwhelmed by it. It looks great. What can I tell you about my character? Captain Jack is Captain Jack. He's a little darker, he's a little angry because he was left on that satellite. He's now come to present day Earth. He's not so giving to people - that's probably going to change throughout the series - he alienates himself from the Torchwood group. So, it's going to be an exciting series and you'll just have to watch.
Steven asks: Is it true that you're also returning to Doctor Who?
John: Yes it is, but I don't know anything about it, yet.
Send us your comment now. We'll publish the best on this page.
Julie
Obviously I'm not bothered about this being published, but I'm mailing you to ask you to please say thank you to John for answering my question XXX
When are we going to hear HIM sing with the Marias BTW? They need to be tested with a leading man - and he's the best! XXX
The show's been brilliant. I'm going to be so sad when it's over! ;-(
june mitchell
I am just loving the whole show - the girls singing all together is especially wonderful. I have also been a fan of John Barrowman for many years, having spotted early on that he had a fantastic voice in his musicals and then more recently to find out what terrific fun he is and such a wonderful personality - thank you John for your uplifting and joyful presence on all your tv performances. June Mitchell, Perthshire
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