Five questions with Trevor Dion Nicholas

He has starred in some of the West End’s biggest shows – and now Trevor Dion Nicholas tackles the role of Phil in Disney’s spectacular new musical Hercules.

Trevor Dion Nicholas is no stranger to Disney, having originated the role of the Genie in the West End and Broadway stage adaptations of Aladdin in 2016 and 2014, respectively. Now he is back in a different Disney musical: Hercules, which is in performances at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

He talks to London Theatre Magazine about helping Hercules go from zero to hero, his varied career, and whether the West End feels like home.

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Tell us about your role in Hercules.
I play Phil, who Hercules comes to for help in his training in becoming a full-blown god after having his status stripped away from him in his infancy. When Hercules first approaches, Phil is reluctant to help, but sees a spark of something special in Hercules that encourages him to take the steps to help this kid, as well as unknowingly beginning to help and heal himself.

What training did you do to prepare yourself for this energetic role?
This role has a lot of physicality to it, not only in the training and combat aspects of the show, but also in the physical storytelling of the character — making him feel lived-in, heightened but honest, and like there’s history in his body. I have worked with a few personal trainers over the years, which allows me to stay strong and flexible.

Having played the Genie in Aladdin, what makes Disney musicals so irresistible?
It comes down to the storytelling for me, and having grown up with so many of these Alan Menken musicals that became a foundational piece of my youth. I was 10 years old when the animated film of Aladdin came out, which makes me 15 when Hercules was released. They imprinted on me; the artwork, the stylisation. Any opportunity to take that magic and attempt to translate it to physical storytelling space on stage is intriguing and exciting for me.

You’ve also appeared in Hamilton, Next to Normal, and Hadestown — what attracts you to a role?
I’ve felt very privileged in my West End career to not have played any two characters who feel even remotely related so far. In working with Disney again, I wanted Phil to appear and feel drastically removed from what I did with Genie almost 10 years ago. Each character has a different history, a different list of experiences that make them who they are.

Coming up to 10 years in London, are you truly a West End guy?
I love the West End, I love this tribe of people who come together to create and share their art with the global audiences that London attracts and celebrates. I am always open to and willing to perform all over the globe, but the West End has given me a true home for my creativity that I will always look to return to. Ten years in London, the West End is in my blood for life.

Book Hercules tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Trevor Dion Nicholas. Inset: Hercules, Hadestown. (Photos courtesy of productions)