Where
are they now? – Warren Carlyle
Continuing
our series on former Janet Cram winners we caught up
with Warren Carlyle – also a prize winner in the
Star Tap Awards and the Imperial Ballet Awards.
Who did you train with and who inspired you
at this time?
I trained with Margaret and Sarah Wilkins
at the Central School of Dancing, Norwich. Following
that I was at Bush Davies Schools and then briefly at
Doreen Bird College.
At Bush Davies, Miss Daphne Peterson and I had an incredible
adventure together when she decided I could take my
Associate Tap in one week. I took my Associate Modern
on a Monday morning – that afternoon Miss Peterson
and I went into a studio. locked the door and exactly
one week later I emerged to take my Associate Tap!
When I was much younger, I watched Fred Astaire movies
all the time. I was very inspired by him. Classically
I always liked Barishnikof. He was such a strong male
presence. His jumps and turns were amazing.
What was your first job on leaving college?
Cats in Hamburg. I spent 18 months there and
loved the show. On my return to London I joined the
West End cast of Cats.
Tell us about your work on the West End, television
and movies.
I have worked on Cats, Pickwick, Jolson, The
Goodbye Girl, Scrooge, Oklahoma, Fosse, Pageant and
The Producers. On Broadway, I am Associate Choreographer
on The Producers and staged Oklahoma at the Gershwin
Theatre. In New York I have also choreographed The Baker's
Wife, You Again, Mame and the upcoming production of
Pirates of Penzance.
Television in the UK included The Olivier Awards, Royal
Variety, Pebble Mill and Showstoppers. In America I
have choreographed for Rosie O'Donnell, David Letterman,
The Today Show, Broadway on Broadway and Macy's Day
Parade amongst others. I have also been fortunate to
have worked on the movies of Oklahoma, Center Stage
and The Producers.
Do you have any highlight or favourite memory?
I have loved every minute of my career. Gwen Verdon
teaching me 'Steam Heat' was pretty fantastic and so
was sitting next to Susan Stroman when The Producers
won the most Tony awards in Broadway history!
Any regrets?
Not one.
Where has your career taken you now?
New York, where I have lived and worked for
the past six years. It has been the best decision of
my life. To be a small fish in a big pond makes me work
harder. The talent here is extraordinary and I learn
something new every day. I have just staged a six million
dollar musical – Mame – at the Kennedy Center.
I'm headed to England in August to direct and choreograph
Me and My Girl. Look out for it around the country and
then next year in the West End!
Do you have any future ambitions?
I have an idea for a ballet based on The Four
Loves by C.S. Lewis and I am starting to produce this
year for the first time. Lots of ambitions, there are
so many things I would still like to experience!
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