Singer Nathan James tells HUW FULLERTON why his latest role is a childhood dream come true

Rock singer Nathan James is living a childhood dream. Fresh from his appearances on The Voice and Superstar, he is now performing in the touring Queen stage concert show Bohemian Rhapsody, a role that he’s incredibly excited about. “I mean, it’s Freddie Mercury! It’s Queen!” he exclaims. But his tour’s arrival in Oxford holds an even greater significance to him, as it was near here, growing up near Reading, that he caught the showbiz bug.

Nathan recalls trips to the New Theatre as a child, where he will soon be performing for the first time, and even then he was looking to the stars. When I ask whether he ever saw himself performing there, his reply “Yeah, I suppose so,” seems casual, but his love of performance was obvious from an early age. Singing in the choir may seem a million miles away from his current employment, but he sees it differently. “You learn technique, you practice, you get good range”.

It was his time at theatre school where his passion for Queen originated however. “I always loved Queen and Freddie Mercury,” he says, “but one day at school cast members from We Will Rock You came in and I got to sing with them aged 15. That was it.”

Nathan’s career rolled on, his most high-profile appearance being on BBC1’s The Voice, where his vocals were praised but he did not progress. Undeterred, the young rocker soon moved on to the final of ITV’s Superstar. But Nathan does not put down his entire success to his TV appearances. “I’d done a lot before,” he insists, and his CV is accordingly stuffed with an impressive array of credits including Thriller Live and Tenors of Rock.

When I ask whether his style of music or route to stardom has caused him any trouble, he sighs. “Yeah, there is a bit. It’s surprising. But I just stopped caring. You know what I mean? Look, everyone has an opinion about me, one way or the other, and that’s good. But you’re never going to please everyone.”

Still, Nathan is quick to differentiate his path from talent shows like The X Factor. “With The Voice, I was called up and asked to audition. You don’t just turn up.” In his opinion, it’s as good a route as any to achieve stardom. “Not just anyone can do it. You have to have an interesting personality. People who whine about not making it don’t have that.”

Nathan’s new show Bohemian Rhapsody comes to the New Theatre tonight, and offers an array of Queen’s greatest hits performed by a large group of singers, dancers and live rock musicians. Despite his youthful inspiration, Nathan is keen to differentiate his show from We Will Rock You, noting that “We have songs they don’t do” and, somewhat wryly, that “We don’t have some kind of cheesy storyline.”

However, Nathan is very aware of the large shoes he has to fill. When asked to explain Queen’s lasting appeal, he says “Two words: Freddie Mercury. He was unique. You couldn’t just walk on stage in a yellow jacket and a moustache.” Surely, then, he must sometimes find it a little daunting? “Every night”, he confirms.

Currently living in Sonning, Berkshire, Nathan takes comfort in fellow resident, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. “I think it’s a good omen,” he says. “If it’s good enough for Led Zeppelin...” As for the show’s arrival here, Nathan couldn’t be happier. “It’s going to be lovely, like coming home. I’ve got loads of friends and family coming in. It’s nice to be back in Oxford.”

Bohemian Rhapsody  starts tonight and runs until Saturday at the New Theatre, George Street, Oxford. Tickets are £11.90-£35.40.
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