On Monday the 18th March 2019 I was pleased to see this post on “Majesty Queen Tribute Band” FaceBook page.
I absolutely love Musicals and wow, Seth and the guys who I have been supporting since August 2017 now have a musical of their own, which is going to be at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August for 8 days. I have interviewed Seth on his upcoming Musical and I also interviewed his Fiancee Debbie. Hope you enjoy reading the two Interviews as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
Getting In Touch
I got in touch with Seth and asked if he would mind if I do a blog on this. Seth being the lovely friendly man that he is, said that is fine.
As this is such a special occasion for Seth, I thought it would be good to interview him on his upcoming Musical. Knowing that all his fans, family and friends would be interested in reading an interview with him, I thought that this would be the best time to catch him. I thought it would be nice to get Debbie (Seth's lovely Fiancee) involved as well, as not only is this a special occasion for Seth but also for Debbie too.
Interview With Seth
Hi Seth. Here are my Questions for you but firstly congratulations on your upcoming musical "Freddie The Musical". My Fiance(Dale) and I are so pleased for you. We are gutted that we will not be able to see this in Edinburgh as we don't have time off work when you are there. Although we won't be there to support you, we will thinking of you and the guys and thinking what an amazing time everyone will be having.
Me
Q1 How long did it take you to put Freddie The Musical together?
Seth
I’ve written and rewritten this musical dozens of times over the past 4 or 5 years. The problem with Queen is the band deserve a big stage, but often with writing you have to be realistic about what you can bring to a stage. So I’ve written various versions of the script, from one man shows to full blow musicals.
This version of the script is to me my most ambitious script but it also has the flexibility to fit into a variety of spaces. That’s one of the things I wanted, because if I was to produce this in the way I wanted to, it would be performed in an Arena, and hey you never know I may get that opportunity one day.
Me
Q2 How did you come up with the idea of a musical?
Seth
I’ve grown up watching and listening to musicals, although I haven’t had many opportunities in my life to see that many live. The reason I wanted to create a musical is because I have a real passion for acting. That’s what I feel makes my performance as Freddie Mercury unique to other tribute artists, because I’ve delved deeper into the character.
Creating my own opportunities is the only way I’ve been able to achieve things in my life. I’ve never had a hand up, all of what I have achieved has been through incredibly hard work, fighting furiously to show my worth in this business. So this musical is just another one of many opportunities I wanted to create for myself. I love performing, I love connecting with people through theatre and drama and this is just a way I get to do it.
Me
Q3 Without revealing to many spoilers, can you give us a taster of what story line we expect to see in your new musical?
Seth
Yes, I do often think what should I give away and what should I keep to myself.
This musical will see Freddie sharing his life with you. But of course there is a lot of life to share when it comes to Freddie Mercury. So for me, this is what I imagine are some of Freddie’s favourite moments. So we will see highlights from his career, including references to iconic performances, but in between all of that we will meet characters from Freddie’s life. If I was to describe it one line I would say: Freddie has come back to have one more night of fun with the people he loves most - his audience.
Me
Q4 Queen have a number of songs, varying from their well known classics to their 'deep cuts'. Will the Musical explore a mixture of their music to assist the story line?
Seth
I’ve tried hard to stick to an accurate timeline when it comes to which songs are being performed. So yes there will be songs you know and others that are less well known, but they should all have a place in this show.
Me
Q5 I hope the musical is a success and hope to see it on a UK tour. It's clear that you have a passion for performing. As a child, was this the job you could see yourself doing? If not, what was It?
Seth
This has always been it for me - not being Freddie Mercury of course, but acting and performing. I always had a passion for music and a real passion for acting, so much so I said to myself at an early age - I’m not going to do any other job other than acting and have stuck with that.
Me
Q6 When did you first perform on a stage?
Seth
I first performed on a stage as early as 4 or 5. I used to get up and do the talent shows at Haven holidays. I performed in primary school through choirs and orchestras. I even went on Michael Barrymore one time when I was younger.
Professionally I performed properly for the first time when I took a job in Benidorm in a variety show, funnily enough as part of that show I played guitar doing a couple of Queen songs.
Me
Q7 Have you always wanted to Act?
Seth
Definitely. It’s my absolute passion. I love creating characters, exploring ideas and breathing life into a role.
Me
Q8 Are you from a musical family?
Seth
I am from a musical family. My brothers and sisters are all singers, or dancers. My father is an accomplished singer and performer and my mother also played drums and performed for a time. And beyond that, there is a history of musical performers in my family.
Me
Q9 How long has Queen Tribute Band Majesty been about?
Seth
We are in our 9th year now, since I created the band back in 2011, but the current line up is about 5 years old now.
Me
Q10 How long have you know, Peter, Chris and James for?
Seth
Peter I’ve known since he joined the band, but I’ve known Chris and James for longer as we’ve put together other bands in the past.
Me
Q11 Have Peter, Chris and James always been part of Queen Tribute Band Majesty?
Seth
No, each member came into it at different times. James first, then Peter and finally Chris.
Me
Q12 In Queen Tribute Band Majesty you play a piano. Can you play any other instruments? If yes what instruments can you play?
Seth
I can play a lot of instruments, but I’m kind of a jack of all trades, master of none. I played violin in primary school for many years, then played tenor horn and trumpet through high school. Apart from that I can play Bass, guitar, drums and piano, which is all self taught.
Me
Q13 It is obvious that you have a passion for Queens music. This is reflected in your shows which I have seen 6 times. How long have you been a Queen Fan?
Seth
I can’t remember when I became a Queen fan, but yes they have been number one on my musical influences from a very young age. There was one point in my life where I would fall to sleep every night watching a Queen concert.
Me
Q14 Where is your Favourite place you guys have performed?
Seth
I couldn’t say, we play all sorts of different places. Whether small and intimate, or huge with thousands in the audience, they all offer something unique.
Me
Q15 How long did it take you to master Freddie Mercury?
Seth
I’m still working on it darling.
Me
Q16 How long did it take you to learn all the songs?
Seth
I’m still working on that as well!
Me
Q17 Trust me to think of this question, as I do like my food 🙂 When you are on tour, where is your favourite place to get something to eat?
Seth
Well recently we have found the place called 7 bone. Their slogan is something like “Dirty Sexy Burgers” and man they live up to their names. But recently we try our hardest to eat as healthy as we can, as it’s incredibly easy to fall into a routine of burgers and fries every night.
Me
Q18 What was the first Queen song you heard?
Seth
It must have been Bohemian Rhapsody, though I may have heard others but that’s when I took notice.
Me
Q19 What is your favourite Queen song to perform during your show?
Seth
I love the ballads, they’re always nice to play - Play the Game, etc. but my favourite changes all the time, depending on how I’m feeling.
Me
Q20 Have you met Queen? If so what were they like?
Seth
We’ve never met Queen, we came close once when Brian was supposed to be at an event we were performing at, but he was too busy in the end.
Me
Q21 If you do get to meet Queen what would you say to them?
Seth
I have no idea. Maybe thank you for paying my bills for the past 10 years….
Me
Q22 If you were able to ask Freddie Mercury a question, what would it be?
Seth
That’s also a difficult question. Probably something like - what drove you to keep getting on that stage.
Interview With Debbie
Me
Q1 Are you a Queen fan? Debbie
Yes since being a little girl my dad and my brother were both big Queen fans. I’ve never been to any of their concerts but used to watch them on TV as often as possible. Me
Q2 Do you share the same profession as Seth? Debbie
No, I don’t share the same profession, I am a project manager with a local authority. Me
Q3 Have you always known Seth to be in Majesty Queen Tribute? Debbie
No, we have been together over 10 years. I met him when he used to front a local covers Rock band. Then he went to drama school to study his MA in acting, whilst starting up what is now called Majesty. Me
Q4 Have you seen the show, if so where? Debbie
I have seen the show, in the early days (before children) I used to go to a lot of the early gigs. But now I just go to the shows nearby our home town. Me
Q5 Will you be going to see, Freddie The Musical? Debbie
Yes I most certainly will be going to see the musical. I am planning a trip over to Edinburgh to support them and so very much looking forward to it. I am privileged to know what is in the script, Seth does like to bounce certain ideas off me. He is very talented and is bursting with ideas and enthusiasm for this musical and has been pretty much since I have known him. Me
Q6 What is you favourite Queen Song and why? Debbie
Love of my life. Because Seth used to play that to me in the early days and it reminds me of my dad, who passed away a number of years ago. Me
Q7 You said before Majesty that Seth was in a local covers Rock Band, was Peter, Chris and James in this with him? Debbie
Chris was in the cover Rock band Q8 Have you seen the Film Bohemian Rhapsody, if so what did you think? Debbie
I have, I thought it was brilliant! Me
Q9 I would like to see a 2nd film of Bohemian Rhapsody. Would you? Debbie
Part of me says yes, because it was so good and you always want something good and exciting to carry on, but then part of me says no, because it was a good place to end the film and it covered the best part of his life... undecided 🤷♀️
Thank you so much to Seth and Debbie for letting me interview them. I’ve enjoyed putting the two interviews together.
It has been interesting finding out things about Seth, especially how long it has taken him to put the musical together, how long he has been interested in acting and what he did before Majesty.
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