Wayne Scott Kermond - Interview - Candy Man
Wayne Scott Kermond pays homage to the ultimate song and dance man, Sammy Davis Jr, in Candy Man.
By Lisa Varano
Is it true Sammy Davis Jr pulled you aside in 1986 after he saw you in Guys and Dolls?
He came straight over to me, put his arm around me, and in front of the whole cast said what a great dancer I was: "We need young cats like you to take over from old cats like me."
Did he actually talk like that?
Oh yeah, everything was "cat" and it was very cool. He was certainly a very cool cat. That's the best way of putting it.
What was unique about Sammy as a performer?
His versatility and his energy on stage and the fact that he could have the audience in the palm of his hand. That's exactly what I try to achieve in Candy Man.
What can the audience expect?
I take people on a journey of the tradition of the song and dance man. They see the live band on stage, and myself, and the dancers, and will recognise all the songs in the show. I can guarantee that people will walk out of the theatre with a grin from ear to ear and tapping their feet.
Any favourites among the show's numbers?
I finish with 'Mr Bojangles'. Sammy was very well known for doing that song. I think it has quite a haunting story... the song and dance man being successful and, as he gets older, he's not as recognisable. Time has moved on and forgotten him. I really think it sums up the story of the song and dance man.
You joke you were "born in a trunk", being a fourth generation performer. What do you like about being on the road?
I didn't live in a house until I was 11 because we lived in caravans and motels. We lived in America for two years while my dad and my mum worked in Vegas and so forth. I still have the bug. I enjoy travelling. I try and travel as much as I can with my family with me because life's too short.
You really have had a diverse career - from being in Guys and Dolls again at the Capitol Theatre this year to the animated film Happy Feet. What's been the highlight so far?
Candy Man. It's a dream come true. It was just something my wife [producer/director of the show] and I have always wanted to do. You're always nervous about what's the reaction from the audience going to be. And then the very first time we performed the show, we had a standing ovation.
Wayne Scott Kermond performs Candy Man at the Theatre Royal, 27 Jun-5 Jul
