Harvey Morton sits down with Tobias Turley for the latest episode of Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast. Toby is full of positive energy and was crowned the winner of ITV’s ‘Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream’. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves the magic of theatre and the thrill of a dream realised.
Tobias Turley, a graduate of the Guildford School of Acting, has had a remarkable journey since winning the coveted role of Sky in ‘Mamma Mia!’ after appearing on ‘I Have a Dream’. Reflecting on his experience, Tobias shares, “It’s weird to think we’re kind of coming towards the end of the nine-month shows, of our contract now, which is kind of scary. To think the final was eight months ago. That is kind of mind-blowing, actually.”
Tobias opens up about the doubts he faced before auditioning for the show. “There was a number of reasons why I didn’t want to audition for the show. I thought, thousands of people are going to apply and why would it be me that would win? But I always say, if you don’t buy a ticket, you don’t win the raffle. So I thought I’d give it the old college try,” he recalls. His story proves the power of taking a chance and believing in yourself.
During the interview, Harvey praises Tobias for his infectious energy and positivity, even amidst the challenges of performing eight shows a week. Tobias attributes his high spirits to a combination of natural enthusiasm and, humorously, “a lot of caffeine.” He adds, “I feel like I’m generally quite a high-spirited person. Especially if I’m doing something I love, then I’m always quite energetic and infused about that.”
Tobias speaks fondly of the people who have supported him along the way, including the judges and Zoe Ball. “Zoe Ball is the sweetest person ever. She is so lovely. Like she’ll still text me every now and again just to make sure I’m doing all right and checking on me,” he shares.
As his run in “Mamma Mia!” comes to an end, Tobias is excited about future projects. While he keeps some details under wraps, he hints at a personal project that he describes as his “brain baby.” He also expresses a desire to explore film and TV, saying, “I would absolutely love to. I love doing screen acting, the nuance and the kind of truth and the minimalistic aspect behind it.”
Tobias’s passion for theatre began at a young age, inspired by classic movie musicals like ‘On the Town’ and ‘Singing in the Rain’. He reminisces, “I remember very vividly watching Gene Kelly ‘On The Town’ movie and that was a massive inspiration for me. I remember watching that and then just being blown away by the dancing and the athleticism.” Tickets to see Tobias in Mamma Mia! are available here – his final performance is on 5th October.
Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast, an aspiring actor, or simply someone who loves a good success story, this episode of Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast is sure to leave you inspired and uplifted – listen below: