Harrogate musical theatre star Daniel Stanford performs for the Prince and Princess of Wales
The Harrogate Phoenix Players take a dim view of anyone missing rehearsals for The Great British Bake Off Musical but in the case of leading man Daniel Stanford they were happy to make an exception.
Dan was appearing before royalty at the Royal Albert Hall and there can be few better excuses than that.
To celebrate 40 years of Les Misérables, theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh granted 11 licences to community groups across the country to perform the hit musical.
Thousands of hopefuls auditioned and Daniel’s talent shone through and won him the part of Feuilly, with solo lines in the poignant song Drink with Me.
The production at Leeds Grand Theatre rivalled anything seen in the West End.
But the excitement did not end there as 400 cast members nationwide were invited to perform at the Royal Variety Show, a memory that Dan will treasure forever.
He said: “It was a great honour to sing for the Prince and Princess of Wales. Singing alongside the likes of Bradley Jaden, Killian Donelley, Matt Lucas and Michael Ball was just the icing on the cake.”
Daniel captured the hearts of the audience with his moving performance as Quasimodo in the Phoenix Players’ 2024 production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Now he returns with them in the much happier role as heartthrob judge Phil Hollinghurst in the Harrogate premiere of The Great British Bake-Off Musical.
The Royal Variety Show is being televised on Sunday, December 21.
For a close-up look at Dan’s talent and a wonderful family outing, get your tickets for The Great British Bake-Off Musical at Harrogate Theatre from March 18 to March 21.
The Harrogate Phoenix Players will be supporting Martin House Hospice.
Tickets on 01423 502116 and www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on.