Calling all StageSiders, welcome to another installment of StageSide Stories. This time around we talk with Dean Logan all about performing in a play, taking a show to London’s West End and watching a show grow. Stick around and find out more about Dean’s experience in Gerry & Sewell.
Firstly can you introduce yourself and your role in the show?
Hi! My name is Dean Logan and I am an actor born, raised and based in the wonderful city of Newcastle Upon Tyne and I play the role of Gerry McCarten in Gerry & Sewell
Could you tell us a bit about Gerry & Sewell? How would you describe the show in your own words?
Gerry & Sewell tells the tale of two lads from Newcastle and their quest to obtain (by any means possible) a pair of season tickets for their beloved football team, Newcastle United. The show to me is a story of hope which is filled with ups and downs of the working class background the characters come from. It’s a story of being united through hardship and working through those darker times. It’s full of heart and authenticity which can bring together an audience whether they are from the North East or not.
How does it feel to be taking Gerry & Sewell into the West End? Has the significance of that sunk in yet?
I mean where do I begin! Seeing the show grow from a 70 seat fringe venue in Whitley Bay to playing the West End in London is an absolute dream come true. It’s another fantastic step in the journey for this show. I don’t think the significance will sink in until we are all on the stage for the first show hearing the audiences reactions to this brilliant story
You play Gerry, what first attracted you to that role?
I first met Jamie nearly 10 years ago and as a fellow Geordie of course PURELY BELTER the movie came up in conversation. As a huge fan of this Geordie cult classic it was instantly relatable to me, Coming from a working class background myself and always wanting to try and reach for that next opportunity to do better. I went to school (and also grew up with) people very similar to Gerry and see the struggles we all faced and how we all had to deal with them in various ways.
I mentioned to Jamie how if the chance ever did arise I would love the opportunity to play GERRY on stage. Manifesting this vision was well worth the wait and a few years later I was fortunate to have this opportunity at Laurel’s Theatre which he was opening at the time and wanted it for his main in house production.
The play has strong regional roots. How important is it to you that the story carries that sense of North East pride into the West End?
Absolutely! Our stories deserve to be told on the biggest stages. We might not be the biggest city in the UK but that certainly doesn’t mean we don’t have stories to tell. If you look at the likes of Billy Elliott and The Pitmen Painters. Both of which had amazing success here in the UK and around the world. That’s because the stories we have, even though they may come from the North East they can be translated to anywhere and anyone. I couldn’t be more proud to be from Newcastle and the sense of pride that comes with will no doubt fill the auditorium in a sea of black and white and they will all get to feel the same sense of pride too.
What has surprised you most about audiences’ reactions so far? Have any stand out reactions occurred?
It has been so amazing to bring the audiences who have followed us from the beginning on this journey with us. Each time we have performed it, whether it be at Laurel’s, Live Theatre or Theatre Royal we have taken the audience on a bonkers, raucous, heart filled story filled with North East passion and it’s something you can certainly feel when you’re on stage…apart from the one time I was just about to deliver the very last line of the show before an audience member shouted (“RED AND WHITE ARMY” – A reference to Newcastles rivals Sunderland). I had to take a moment (it was really one of the first time I had been heckled), compose myself and then as (Gerry of course) politely raised my middle finger to their input which certainly gave me one of the stand out reactions so far.
Has the rehearsal process revealed anything new about Gerry, especially as you prepare for this next chapter?
When we scaled up from Live Theatre to the Theatre Royal we also brought in some new brilliant cast members. This for me in particular changed the direction of how I played Gerry. It brought out a lot more of the pain and the darkness he goes through with the ups and downs of his family life whilst also trying to keep everything together and show his brave front towards his friend Sewell on the quest for their season tickets. It’s something which I feel has really levelled up my performance ready for the West End run.
This transfer is a big step for the whole team. How does the company prepare for the shift from its earlier runs starting as a pub theatre show, to the scale of the West End?
Some of us have been with the Gerry & Sewell story since the very beginning and it really is like a family team we have. We all work together so well and want the best for everything we do. Whether it being promo shoots, trailers to performing the show itself. We all share our highs and lows which keeps us all firmly bonded together. We all know the work, blood, sweat and tears that has been put into this and getting on in the West End and we all have an huge amount of pride in getting the show to best shape it can possibly be for a fresh set of audience members.
Looking ahead to opening night, what do you hope West End audiences will feel as they step out of the theatre after meeting Gerry and Sewell?
I want them to feel the connection to not only Gerry & Sewell, but the whole story itself. Yes it’s about two lads wanting football tickets but football is a secondary subject. I want the audiences to feel no matter what their background is that if they have a dream or a vision then it’s always possible to go for it.
I want them to come out feeling like they have been through a roller coaster of emotions throughout the story but most of all I want them to feel the THUNDER!!!
And finally, if you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring performer up here in the North East, what would it be?
Never give up! It’s not always easy. Life comes at you and throws you curve balls but it’s how you choose to deal with them and come back stronger which sets you apart. Just like Gerry it’s about following a dream. I had this dream since I was 9 years old and now I get to play on the West End in London (CRAZY). In that time I have taken year off, got married, had two children and travelled the world. All very scary things to do being an actor as it takes you out the game but it will always be there so keep going!
Thank you to Dean for giving up your time to answer these questions. It is interesting to learn more about the show, the characters and how the piece has transformed as it continues to grow. As a fellow northener, seeing a show like Gerry & Sewell transfer to London’s West End fills me with pride. The show opens at the Aldwych Theatre on the 13th of January. Ticket information is available here.
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