It’s strange to think that Jamie Muscato fell into musical theater.
“I never really wanted to do it,” the British actor says about belting out stage hits in front of a live audience. “I already knew from however old I was, 10, that I preferred the acting side, and was kind of embarrassed and scared about the singing side…[But] it turns out I can sing quite well.”
We’ve weaved our way to Kerridge’s Bar, nestled at the back of London’s 5-star Corinthia Hotel. Its low-lit, leather-laden decor is a welcome break from the sticky city heat, though the two iced teas on the table in front of us are also doing their bit. A random location it is not — Muscato, son of a plumber and school teacher and once admittedly reluctant to hone his voice, is due in warm-up across the road at the Kit Kat Club in just over an hour.
Though that 10-year-old kid might not have suspected it, the now-36-year-old has steadily risen the ranks to become one of the West End‘s most bankable stars, an Olivier Award nominated, industry-recognized talent whose latest role, as the Emcee in John Kander’s legendary, twisted Cabaret, has challenged him more than any character he’s ever taken on before.
For those of you outside of the U.K., Muscato might be best recognizable as J.D. in the musical Heathers. His magnetic rendition of “Meant to be Yours” went viral on TikTok in 2022. “My phone just started blowing up,” he recalls. “I went on TikTok and I would just swipe and [I’d] be all of them. It was fascinating. I’m not sure I’d like that to happen too often,” he adds, before remembering: “Billie Eilish did one!”
