Interview with Johnny Kennedy
Johnny Kennedy is a British broadcaster. He is also an actor and a singer and has been trained in opera.
David A Ellis interviewed singer, actor and broadcaster Johnny Kennedy when he appeared in the musical Our Benny at the Liverpool Empire
DE: You are appearing in Our Benny at the Empire – have you always had an interest in theatre?
JK: I’ve always loved the theatre. Even when I was with radio city I still did the theatre at the same time. I was a boy soprano and loved theatres from the very first time I appeared in one.
DE: I understand you were a teacher, how long did you do that for, and what did you teach?
JK: I was a teacher for around six years, teaching English and drama.
DE: What was your first professional acting role?
JK: The first professional acting role I did was for the director Dennis Mitchell. I played the main part in a drama called The Entertainers, which was set in Manchester.
DE: How did you land the job at radio city?
JK: I think what happened was that Billy Butler left radio city to go to radio Merseyside. There was a big hole at radio city and Wally Scott was given the job of finding someone. He went to the Liverpool supporters club where I was appearing. He liked what I did and said could you do something similar on the radio. I worked at city for around fifteen years.
DE: Would you tell me about your singing?
JK: I’ve been a singer all my life. I did clubs, singing pop songs and eventually went into musicals. I appeared at the Empire in Her Benny a few years back and look forward to Our Benny. About five years ago I was told I had potential to be an opera singer. I took lessons and have appeared in classical concerts and opera. One of the songs I sing in Our Benny called How Can I Believe is really operatic, having high notes.
DE: Finally, would you please tell me a little about your role in the show and have you any acting after Our Benny?
JK: I play prosperous businessman Mr Laurence. He takes pity on Benny and decides to give him a job. I have been approached about another musical. I don’t want to say too much about it because I’m not sure how far people are down the road with it. It will probably be at the Empire in 2009. Of course I would be delighted if Our Benny went on to great success and I was able to go on with it.
DE: Thank you very much Johnny.
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