Lee Latchford-Evans’ career with 90s popsters Steps has, for the most part, overshadowed his long-held love of musical theatre, which he studied at drama school. Things are definitely changing on that score, though... Having previously played roles including Teen Angel in Grease, Lee is now starring as Lance Dubois in critically acclaimed musical & Juliet, which visits the Potteries this month. 
Here, What’s On chats to him to find out more...     

For people who think they know Romeo & Juliet, how does the show shake things up, Lee?
It's not the Romeo & Juliet that everyone knows. It's more about life for Juliet after the familiar story, with Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway arguing over how the tale is meant to play out. It's about how Juliet’s life goes on without Romeo, who and what she encounters, and all the characters within that. So it's not your typical Romeo & Juliet story. It's a comedy and it's a musical, so if you're going along expecting something like A Midsummer Night's Dream or Hamlet, then you might be a bit shocked!

Who is your character Lance, and how does he feature in the narrative?
Lance Dubois is a father. He has lost his wife, but he has three sons, although two of them are away at war, so he's really concentrating on Francois, the one son who hasn't gone off to be a soldier. I think it's a battle for Lance, as he’s a very set-in-his-ways, old-fashioned type of father who is trying to get to grips with raising a son on his own. He's that burly kind of character who goes: “I was a soldier, I was in the police, and you will do as I say.” As the story unfolds, he becomes less complicated and more loving - plus, he has a love interest in Angelique, who is Juliet's Nurse. It's a bit of a rollercoaster for Lance and a nice thread throughout the show.

Are you a Shakespeare buff or a novice?
I'm a total novice; I'm not even going to pretend otherwise! When I was at school, I did an Antigone project where we went down to Stratford-upon-Avon and performed there, but that's as far as it goes. It's very strange with the language of Shakespeare because you kind of get what's going on without really understanding everything. But & Juliet isn't typical Shakespeare by any means. It's modern language, and it's a jukebox musical full of fantastic Max Martin songs. So you get Domino by Jessie J, ...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears, It's My Life by Bon Jovi, songs by Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake. Max has worked on so many amazing songs. The musical is also what I'd call very Steps-friendly. We always say with Steps shows that you leave your troubles at the door; you just let yourself go and have a great time. It's the same with & Juliet.

You're no stranger to musical theatre, but what hooked you in about this particular show?
My character Lance is French, and he's the only one in the show that actually has a French accent. Okay, it’s more in the style of the TV show ’Allo ’Allo, or Lumiere from Beauty And The Beast, but I wanted to challenge myself. What I also love is that it's the kind of role where you can really let yourself go and be free, and it's a little bit over-the-top. He's this exuberant, larger-than-life character, and if anyone truly knows me, they'll know that it's a challenge for me to let myself go. Away from the job, I'm this just-get-on-with-it, straight-down-the-middle kind of guy. When I played Niko in Eurobeat: Moldova, I really had to step out of my comfort zone, and it feels a bit like that with Lance as well, But I've been welcomed into the show with open arms by the team and the cast, which makes life so much easier.

What makes Max Martin's music so special? And do you have a favourite number in the show?
Every song of his you just have to sing along to, and there are so many hits in the show. It's so clever how they’re worked into the story. For example, one of the big numbers for me is the mash-up of Teenage Dream and Break Free, where Lance and Angelique have this moment together that's romantic but also very funny, and those songs tell their story in this moment so well. All the songs in the show are very catchy. Steps toured with Britney, so I know her music well - as does everyone - and who doesn't love a bit of Everybody (Backstreet's Back)?

How does the & Juliet story speak to contemporary audiences?
It's a show where everybody's welcome, and it touches on inclusivity, diversity and themes that are relevant in the world right now. The LGBTQ community is obviously huge with Steps, and it feels like this show speaks to the same audience. Like I said before, if you just let yourself go and leave your worries at the door, everybody's welcome at a Steps show and everybody's welcome at & Juliet.

Was theatre always part of your career plan?
Well, I trained at Laine Theatre Arts, where I studied musical theatre and dance. Steps came along during my third year there. Because I've had that background, that training, I've got the work ethic for, and an understanding of, musical theatre. The success of Steps has opened doors, and it's given me opportunities to at least audition for certain parts. It's only when you get the part that you understand how hard the work is and what goes into a musical. And if you're part of a wonderful, hard-working cast that all gel, you can really make the show come to life.

What have been your favourite stage roles so far?
I enjoyed playing Teen Angel in Grease in the West End. Christian in Wolfboy was interesting, delving into a darker side of musical theatre. I would say that so far, though, Niko in Eurobeat: Moldova is probably my favourite character because he was so over-the-top. He was basically a red coat who thought he was Robbie Williams. Now Lance in & Juliet ticks a few boxes. There is a serious side to him when he's being very militant and straight with his son, but there's also the caring, fun, cheeky side to him when his guard comes down with Angelique. 

When it comes to your career in Steps, can you pick a few highlights?
That's a difficult one because there are so many. We had many number ones, so many hits, travelling, touring and meeting fans all over the world. I think winning a Brit Award is something to be proud of, as is getting the Attitude Icon Award. In the early days, it was Smash Hits tours and things like that, where you were in the line-up with lots of other bands. Then, when you get to do your own arena tours, that really steps things up - if you’ll pardon the pun! People are there just for you, and that can be as nervous as it is exciting. Then, of course, there's the Steps musical, Here And Now, which enjoyed huge success on its opening run at The Alexandra in Birmingham last year and will be touring up and down the country from September this year. It broke all box-office records in Birmingham, and hopefully it will continue to gather momentum and create even more success and earn more followers.

What couldn't you be without on the road?
I used to travel with a framed photo of my wife, but I need to upgrade that now to one with myself, my wife and my son, which I’ll be putting next to my bed to make things a bit more homely when staying in digs. On days off or when I have time out, I don't really like to talk a lot because I want to save my voice. I always say that I'm there to do a job, not to go out partying and ruin the voice. So I like to take my PlayStation with me and watch movies or play games.

& Juliet shows at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Monday 12 to Saturday 17 May