Interview: Andy Coxon Talks THE DISTANCE YOU HAVE COME

Andy Coxon has been seen in Yank! A WWII Love Story, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical and Hair. He is currently part of the cast of Scott Alan's song cycle The Distance You Have Come at The Cockpit, opening this week.

How did you get started in the industry?

I was performing in Derby from the age of 13 with Centre Stage Theatre Arts, doing the classic am-dram shows like Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Shop of Horrors, Les Misérables School Edition etc. Without them I wouldn't have had any chance of being where I am now.

I made my best friends there and they are still the greatest friends I could wish for. From there I auditioned for Mountview, got in during Sixth Form and moved to London where the real work began. I've been very fortunate to be working as an actor now for over eight years since graduating.

What was the first Scott Alan song you heard or performed?

I heard about Scott at Mountview and I couldn't stop singing "Kiss The Air". It's still one of my favourites and it is in the show - I don't get to sing it though!

What does Scott's writing mean to you?

Scott has a way of writing that is so real and conversational. You can't not relate to [his songs] and they are an actor's dream to perform. As well as "Kiss The Air", I love "Home and Blessing".

Tell us about the character you're playing

Brian is a dreamer. He wants a husband, a family and strives to be loved. You get to see a modern gay Millennial dealing with love, life and the challenges of being in a gay couple today.

This will be the world premiere of The Distance You Have Come. What's the most exciting thing about working on a brand new work?

My favourite jobs are always the new writing ones. You get to create and discover with little material but the writer's brain to guide you to a final product. It's exciting.

What role does musical theatre, and particularly this work, play in speaking into increasing dialogues around mental health?

We are finally talking about mental health. We are finally starting to take it seriously and there are finally pieces (such as this) that young people can watch and use to understand themselves sooner rather than later.

Representation is so important in the theatre/film/TV world - what we all grow up with and see impacts us. If pieces like this can inspire and guide people, we're doing the right thing. I will always talk openly about my mental health and I hope others feel they can too.

What stories should be told on stage today?

The ideas for stories to be told are endless, and nowadays it seems like there are no limits. All we need is an audience to enjoy them - be it fantasy to help transport people to another world or a biographical story to teach and as well as entertain. The theatre world will forever progress and be important as long as the audiences pay to come and watch.

Do you have any other projects coming up that you can tell us about?

I do have another project beginning next year, which I'm very excited about but, it won't be announced until December.

Alongside performing, my partner [Ed Currie] - who I met in Beautiful in the West End - and I are launching a natural cosmetics range, Pitt London, starting with a deodorant, which is currently taking over the West End stages and saving our smelly, over-worn costumes. Rupert Grint, Alice Fearn, Marcus Collins, Matt Lucas have all used Pitt and love it. It's launching in the new year - all info is at www.pittlondon.com

Why should we come to see The Distance You Have Come?

Number 1: Scott Alan writes GREAT songs. Number 2: The cast are sublime. Number 3: Everyone is desperate to see new theatre. Number 4: I dare you to not relate and feel deeply connected to this show at some point. Bring the tissues!

The Distance You Have Come at The Cockpit 16-28 October