Colin Boyd recalls his moving and memorable moments on stage

By day, he is the Managing Director of his family company which recently celebrated its centenary.

“I joined Belfast Operatic Company in 2003 after I was asked to play the role of Harrison Howell in the Cole Porter musical “Kiss Me Kate”. It was during this production that I fell for the leading lady, Elizabeth Ross. After convincing Liz that it was a good idea, she accepted my proposal and we were married in 2005, and at least one of us has been happy ever since!

“I have had the good fortune to be cast in a range of character roles over the years, including favourites Horace Vandergelder in “Hello Dolly”, Cogsworth the clock in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, First Class Steward Henry Etches in our award winning productions of “Titanic the Musical”.

“My favourite role, however, was Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” staged at the Opera House in 2013. Backed by a superb BOC cast and a score written by Alan Menken, this production was a true high point for me.

“It has been a challenge to steer the Company through 2020, our 60th anniversary year, but I’m fortunate to have an exceptionally talented and dedicated committee which has maintained continuous contact with, and support to our members during the pandemic.

“We also look forward to an exciting future with the much anticipated return of “A Christmas Carol” in 2021, and the Irish premier of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in 2022.”

Here Colin answers our questions...

Q. What is your favourite song/album and why?

A. Album – Alone in the Universe by ELO. It’s rare that you play an album without fast forwarding through some of the tracks. Every track is a classic. My granddaughter knew every word of every track when she was 4!

Single – Teenage Kicks by The Undertones, no explanation needed!

Q. What is your favourite film and why?

A. The Blues Brothers - undoubtedly the finest collection of blues classics, with cameo appearances from legends of blues music, not to mention the largest number of car crashes, ever recorded on film. This is a movie that makes me feel good every time I watch it!

Q. What is your favourite piece of classical music and why?

A. “Au fond du temple saint” generally known as the “Pearl Fishers duet” by Georges Bizet. Simply a masterpiece, with my two favourite voices, tenor and baritone combining beautifully. Makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.

Q. Who is your favourite artist (eg van Gogh) and why?

A. Colin Middleton. He was a pretty famous local artist but also my art teacher at school. He would draw a portrait of each pupil on the blackboard with different coloured chalk which could look more lifelike than their photograph. He also spoke slowly with a voice that sounded like he was gargling with broken glass. I liked him.

Q. What is your favourite play and why?

A. Tricky one this, there are so many. “Twelve Angry Men” is dramatic and powerful and even though it was first performed in 1954, the themes are still relevant today. “Noises Off” is one of the funniest plays I have ever seen, particularly as the subject matter is so familiar to anyone involved in theatre.

Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of being Earnest”, brilliantly complicated language but such simple characters.

My favourite, however, must be “When we are Married” by JB Priestly, a beautifully written comedy which I have seen many times. I have also had the pleasure of playing the role of Councillor Albert Parker in Lambeg Players’ productions which were performed in venues throughout Northern Ireland.

Q. What is your favourite musical and why?

A. Titanic the Musical – There are few musical scores more emotionally charged than this one. Belfast Operatic Company has had the privilege of performing “Titanic” on three separate occasions at the Grand Opera House including one production which coincided with the centenary of the sinking on the great liner.

Q. What is your most special moment in the arts and why?

A. At 11.40pm on April 14, 2012, the curtain rose on our final production of Titanic the Musical at the Opera House. This was the precise time, 100 years earlier, that RMS Titanic hit an iceberg.

The curtain fell at 2.20am on April 15, 2012, exactly 100 years after Titanic disappeared from view. The emotion felt by audience and cast alike was incredible.

For me, this will always remain the most special moment in my theatrical life.

Q. What ‘classic’ just doesn’t do it for you?

A. Shakespeare – sorry, just don’t get it!

Q. What have you been reading/watching/listening to/revisiting during the Coronavirus period?

A. We’ve been remodelling our garden so a lot of time has been spent outside during lockdown. However, I’ve been reading some Trump tweets - now there’s a funny guy. We’ve also been watching all nine series of Doc Martin – brilliant!