Marti Pellow: I just want to keep on doing what I do

Never was there a more inspired piece of casting than that of Wet, Wet, Wet singing sensation, Marti Pellow, in the role of Argentinean revolutionary, Che Guevara in Bill Kenwright's latest production of the Lloyd-Webber and Rice classic musical, Evita.

Despite the dark, handsome good looks and the suave, slightly dangerous air about this incredibly charismatic musical star, there is so much more that makes you fall under his spell.

His natural presence, his sense of humour and his humbleness are so obvious that you instantly warm to Marti Pellow.

Neither of his parents were performers – his mum worked in a school and his father was a bricklayer – and yet they encouraged their son to achieve his dreams.

His love of music came from listening to their record collection. "It's about your parents subscribing to your dreams," said Marti. "Instead of saying maybe you should build a wall, they said, maybe you should write a song," he said, "so I was kind of lucky that way."

Evita is Marti's favourite Lloyd-Webber and Rice collaboration.

"The first time I ever heard Evita it was crossing over into pop culture, as well as being very much respected in the musical theatre world," he said.

So what about his character? Is he very different from others he has played?

"You go to your tool box and there are different tools for different jobs. My role in Evita is a narration, like in Blood Brothers.

"It is very much an observational thing, you are a catalyst there, moving the audience about, and saying, "Are you clocking this and watching that?" he continued.

"I studied the character Che Guevara on a fundamental level. Historically, Eva Peron and he never actually met.

"I found it quite exciting that his great-grandmother was Irish and his father apparently said "the blood of an Irish rebel flows through my son's veins."

He was a very interesting man, he studied to be a doctor in his early years, but it is only through the imagery that you get an idea of what Che is.

The show has so many stand-out moments, but what is the most prominent for Marti? "I think there are several key pivotal moments which stem from the triangle of Peron, Evita and myself," he said.

"Probably the bed scene in the hospital where you see the whole fragility of life. In the space of two and half hours you go from this little girl of fifteen to her demise and the simplicity of that scene is a reminder of how fragile life is."

Does he struggle to keep his emotions under control on stage? "I don't think you should," he said.

"There has to be vulnerability in key moments within the piece and a sense of connection where the audience want to lean in and go on a journey with me. You have to open yourself up so people can invest a piece of themselves in your performance.

That's the beauty of good theatre, he said. "If you offer yourself up, you'll go on a nice journey. From the laughing to the energy. You might shed a tear and that's a great feeling. It's uncomplicated because as soon as we walk out the door and engage in the real world, that's the real deal. Theatre is escapism at its best."

As if touring with Evita is not enough, Marti will be back on the road at the end of the year with Wet, Wet, Wet and has also made a new album entitled Hope, a celebration of musical theatre.

"It was inspired by my friend Bill's mum, Wee Hope, who passed away last year. She was a lovely lady, I loved her to bits.

"We were making the album together, Bill and I, and it just seemed a nice touch to dedicate it to his Mammy. She loved musical theatre, so do I and so does Bill, so we said what about singing some of these songs? It's just me and the piano."

And what does the future hold?

"End of the year I put my pop head on and am back on the road with the boys I grew up with, then more theatre, I'm just busy.

"I am afforded the luxury to have an audience who, as I've grown as an artist, will cross over and come on board whether it's musical theatre, jazz or pop.

"I just want to keep on doing what I do and still have enthusiasm and love for it. It's not rocket science what I do, Hell No!" he laughed.

l Catch Evita at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from August 19 - 31. For tickets call the box office on 01902 429212 or visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk