David Thaxton
On the couch this week is David Thaxton, whose commanding baritone has been shaking chandeliers from the West End to Broadway. Now starring as Max von Mayerling in Sunset Boulevard—a revival boasting seven Tony nominations—Thaxton brings gravitas (and goosebumps) to every note. An Olivier winner for Passion and nominee for Sunset Boulevard in its West End run, he has also taken on some of musical theatre’s most iconic roles, from Enjolras and Javert in Les Misérables to The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. With a voice that resonates like a cathedral bell, Thaxton doesn’t just act—he reverberates.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
I think I have a good moral compass. I can also be funny on occasion.
What was your proudest moment?
Work-wise, winning an Olivier Award and getting to share that moment with my wife (on one side of me) and Steve Sondheim (on the other). Personally, the birth of our wonderful little boy.
What is your favorite drink?
Probably a nice, balanced hazy IPA. Fruity but not too sweet, punchy and bitter with it. America is a brilliant beer country, the best in the world.
What is your favorite food?
I love all sorts but if you were to put a gun to my head I’d say Bovril on toast. Bovril is a meaty yeast extract paste we have in the UK, like Marmite or Vegemite but definitely not vegetarian. It’s sort of like a melted cow. You can make a drink from it but on toast with butter it’s absolutely unreal.
What is your favorite condiment?
Bovril’s not a condiment, I’m going to say freshly ground black pepper.
What is your current obsession?
There’s a chicken parm with penne you can get at this place just round the corner from work. Hardly haute cuisine but it’s absolutely ridiculous.
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Biting my nails. Always done it.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
Playing Sweeney Todd. My all-time favorite role in my all-time favorite show. I am desperate. Anyone reading this who wants to stage a production please call my agent.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
It’s funny because I am useless at it and my content output is incredibly poor and in the grand scheme of things it’s not something I’m doing THAT much, but I find that Instagram is a time-vacuum. You go to quickly check it and before you know it twenty minutes have elapsed and you’ve just been aimlessly scrolling…
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
The direction of thought and agenda from quite a lot of the main governments in the world right now.
What in the world most thrills you?
Art (in any medium) when executed brilliantly, be it a gig or a play or anything you like. Performing or witnessing it, either works. The first gig I went to after lockdown was Elbow in London, it was intensely cathartic and something I’ll never forget.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
I’m not sure I understand what popular culture even is these days. Funny how quickly that happens.
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
Forgetting the words to One Song Glory from Rent at a concert with the Hallé Orchestra at a sold-out Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, about 2,300 people. I walked on stage, nodded to Alfonso the conductor, he nodded back. And in the two seconds between that exchange happening and the song starting I instantly knew two things—that I didn’t have a clue what the words were and that I was going to have to spend the next three minutes making new ones up. It was agony.
What is your favorite place in the world?
Cardiff on a match day. Sadly Wales are a bit rubbish at rugby right now but when we’re on form and the city is buzzing there is just nowhere like it.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Dogs, all day long. I have two Hungarian Vizslas back home who I miss very much and can’t wait to get back to. I must admit to not being a cat person in the slightest.