The Wanted star Jay McGuiness reveals why musicals are “a safer way of getting attention” than being in a boyband

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Most people remember Jay McGuiness for his popular dance-club hits from the 2010s and his memorable performance on Strictly Come Dancing. However, he actually feels most comfortable performing on stage in a West End theatre.

Since 2019, the singer from The Wanted has been in several popular musicals, including the UK tour of &Juliet and the London production of Big the Musical. He received positive reviews for his portrayal of the Tom Hanks character in Big, with critics calling him both charming and captivating.

I’ve always enjoyed performing. It felt like a comfortable way to connect with people, because everyone appreciates a little bit of recognition. When I started auditioning, I landed one for a major record label’s boy band, and that really set me on this path – a path I quickly fell in love with.

I’m realizing I’m falling back into my old habits – I’m performing on stage again, but this time it’s about sharing stories rather than trying to appear trendy.

He said the experience reminded him of his time in The Wanted, which he described as a truly honest and unfiltered way of expressing who you are.

When I’m performing stand-up, the jokes and personal stories feel very genuine – like I’m just being myself. But with musicals, it’s different. It feels like I’ve been assigned a job: to tell someone else’s story. The only thing that makes it satisfying is doing a really good job with that story.

McGuiness emphasized a big difference between himself and his character, Iker. He explained that Iker is a proud nationalist with strong military feelings, while McGuiness personally identifies as more easygoing and free-spirited, which he enjoys exploring through the role.

I’m so excited about The Sea Witch! It’s a backstory to The Little Mermaid, and it’s based on a fantastic book by Sarah Henning. It tells the story of the Sea Witch, but from her perspective – we follow Evie, a witch just trying to survive when magic is forbidden. Then her life crosses paths with Annemette, a mermaid who’s hiding something, and together they’re headed for a huge turning point that will change everything for both of them. It’s going to be amazing!

When discussing the story with McGuiness, comparisons to Wicked – another tale about the beginnings of a famous villain – are natural. However, the artist emphasized that this story is strong enough to work independently and actually shares more similarities with the popular romantasy genre.

This musical reminds me a lot of Wicked, and it really focuses on the dynamic between two strong women from different backgrounds and generations. It’s also clearly inspired by the current trend of romantic fantasy stories.

If you enjoy series like A Court of Thorns and Roses or Bridgerton, you’ll probably love this. It’s also perfect for fans of romantasy and shows like Six, so don’t let your ticket go!

The show will debut in London’s West End with two concerts on March 1st, featuring Patrick McGuiness alongside West End favorites Michelle Visage, Natalie Paris, and Mazz Murray. The cast is hoping these performances will lead to a full theatrical run, and McGuiness is keen to be involved if it does.

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He readily admitted to being a huge fantasy fan and described working on the show as a dream come true. He hopes it will generate excitement and inspire fans to create and share their own versions of the songs, ultimately leading to a longer-term project.

“And I would absolutely love to be a part of that.”

You can still get tickets to see The Sea Witch at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on March 1st through London Theatre Direct. They’re performing two shows that day!

Authors

Olivia Garrett

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2026-02-06 21:04