Daniel Boys (born 26 March 1979 in Greenwich, London) is a British musical theatre actor, best known for his popular appearance in the BBC series Any Dream Will Do in 2007.
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Boys won a Cameron Mackintosh scholarship to study at the Guildford School of Acting, where he graduated with a B.A. Hons, 2001.[1] He was selected to perform in the first UK tour of Jonathan Larson's Rent, which meant leaving college early. He understudied the characters of Mark (played by Adam Rickitt) and Angel, eventually taking over the starring role of Mark, performing on alternate nights at the Prince of Wales Theatre, in London's West End. He has also played Morino in the UK tour of Sunset Boulevard, which starred Faith Brown.[2]
Released from college six months early, he joined the first UK national tour of the musical Rent. During its run he played both the leading roles of Angel and Mark and was also the understudy. He was the alternate Mark for two shows a week when Rent ran at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London (4 December 2001 - 26 January 2002).
Boys appeared as Roger, one of the T-birds, in Grease at the Victoria Palace for its twelve month run. This led to him travelling with the production to Japan, and playing the role of Doody in Scandinavia and Cyprus. He also performed at Party in the Park with the company of Grease.[3] Guest appearances with Grease also included Blue Peter and The Graham Norton Show.
European tours have included playing Tony in West Side Story (2004) and the leading role of Mark in Rent (2006).[4]
He has appeared in several pantomimes including Snow White (Buxton Opera House) as Muddles, Jack and the Beanstalk (Wyvern Theatre, Swindon) as Jack and in Peter Pan (Wyvern Theatre, Swindon), playing Peter.[5]
In September 2007, Daniel took the lead as Austin Bennet in the UK premiere of the 2006 off-Broadway hit I Love You Because which was staged at the Landor Theatre, Clapham. The show ran from 19 September til 20 October.
Daniel is currently appearing in the musical Avenue Q, playing the lead role of Princeton and Rod at the Gielgud Theatre since its reopening 1st June 2009.[6] His performance in Avenue Q recently won Daniel the Theatregoer's Choice Award, for Best Takeover in a Role.
He was a featured soloist in the Disney's Enchanted Evening series of concerts, performed all over the UK in Summer 2004, with the final concert being televised on BBC1 as the BBC Family Prom in the Park.[7] He has appeared in many other high profile concerts in the UK as a featured vocalist, such as The Best of The West End.
In 2005, Boys took part in BBC London's Children in Need - The Musical.[8]
To much critical acclaim, Boys understudied all male roles in the 2006 UK tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds.[1] He can be seen on the live tour DVD special features, performing in place of Russell Watson in the dress rehearsal.
Daniel appeared as Anthony Hope in Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street which was one of the first shows to open at the newly restored Royal Festival Hall in July 2007. Daniel was a featured guest on Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night which was recorded live at LSO St Lukes, London. He also took part in three concerts, West End Comes to Walden: An Afternoon of Show Songs, When You've Got It, Flaunt It! and Georgia Stitt and Friends in Concert.
Boys was a special guest in John Barrowman's Another Side Tour 2008 at the Hammersmith Apollo on 13 April 2008, alongside Ben James-Ellis and Keith Jack. He was a solo guest at the concerts held in Brighton (17 April) and Portsmouth (18 April).[9] He has toured with John Barrowman on his Music Music Music tour, singing some solo material from his debut album and a duet with John Barrowman, "I Know Him So Well"
On September 14th 2008, Daniel performed at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th Birthday concert in Hyde Park, singing "A Light at the End of the Tunnel" alongside other finalists from the talent shows, "Any Dream will Do" and "I'd Do Anything"
Boys appeared on BBC programme "Songs of Praise" on 11th January 2009, performing the song "You Know Better than I" from the animated musical Joseph - King of Dreams.[10]
In May 2009 (culminating in a performance at London's Royal Albert Hall on June 1st 2009) Daniel performed alongside John Barrowman in his latest Music Music Music tour. Performing 5 numbers, including one from his debut album entitled So Close, the duo added their mark to many popular classics around the UK.
In 2008 Boys recorded a song for the CD Act One - Songs From The Musicals Of Alexander S. Bermange, an album of 20 brand new recordings by 26 West End stars, released in October 2008 on Dress Circle Records. He also has recorded a track with actor John Barrowman for his new album Music Music Music which is a version of I Know Him So Well.
His debut album 'So Close' launched on Monday June 1st 2009, something Daniel had always wanted to complete. Mixed by Grammy award-winner and cousin Jerry Boys in early 2009, each track was carefully chosen to reflect Daniel's varied taste in music (or perhaps something dear to him). The penultimate track 'Always There' features the backing vocals of friends, family and fellow cast members as a tribute to their support and friendship.
Daniel also recorded the song 'My Brother's Eyes' on Terry Pratchett's 'Only You Can Save Mankind', which was released on November 23rd, 2009.
Boys has also recorded a version of I Know Him So Well with John Barrowman for his 2008 album Music Music Music.
In 2007, Boys took part in the BBC reality show Any Dream Will Do. He was 7th to be eliminated, leaving the series on May 19, 2007.[11] His vocals were tested on a wide variety of music genres including rock, swing, ballads, and pop, but his only opportunity to sing a musical theatre number was in the sing-off, when he performed "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables against Lewis Bradley in the Sing Off, where Daniel had received the least number of votes, and was chosen to leave the show by Andrew Lloyd Webber. In April 2009, Boys produced his own album entitled 'So Close' - an album of songs of personal importance that are close to his heart.
Boys is openly gay, stating, "I've never been in. It's never been an issue for me. Everyone knows."[12] He added that, whilst on Any Dream Will Do, "The Sun misquoted me and said that I was looking forward to meeting women, which really annoyed me. It wound me up, because it made it look as if I was trying to hide who I am and I'm a firm believer in not doing that."[12] Commenting on his work in musical theatre, he stated, "I don't mean to be stereotypical, but gay men do like to express themselves, which is what acting, singing and dancing are all about."[12]
   | Daniel Boys personal website - Daniel Boys :: The Official Website :: So Close :: Avenue Q |
| | Daniel Boys CV - Spotlight: DANIEL BOYS |
| | Show Six Result - BBC - Any Dream Will Do - Show Six Result |
| | Children in Need - The Musical photo gallery - BBC - London - Children in Need - The Musical - Photos - 2005 |
| | Daniel Boys Discussion Forum - FreeForums.org -- Free Forums :: Forurm not Found |
| | Daniel Boys official MySpace - Daniel Boys (Daniel Boys) | MySpace.com |
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