Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to write a quick note to say a big thank you for all of your concern.
Today, I should have been re-opening the Jesus Christ Superstar Tour in probably the biggest night of my career to date, in the USA arena tour. For reasons still unknown, it was cancelled very last minute a week ago.
I was obviously devastated . I have waited for almost a year for this amazing opportunity to start, turning down many other great opportunities and have also planned my life around this job. The feeling of shell shock when we were told the news is one I will never EVER forget.
I am also most upset for a brilliant cast of beautiful and talented people who also put there lives on hold. Changing wedding plans,turning down long contracts and West End shows because the promise of this wonderful opportunity was so exciting. Not forgetting all the crew and management and also the amazing Andrew Lloyd Webber who had dreamt of this arena tour happening for such a long time. It was a huge blow for us all.
BUT! We are all brilliant and resilient. We are often let down in this business, maybe not so publicly or in such big profile but most auditions and jobs end very quickly. Not that this is easy to deal with but we become strong about it as performers. We love what we do and are lucky enough to call this a job. Yes there are times when we feel beat up and used which consequently makes us question why we live this unstable sometimes ruthless life. And it is simply because we LOVE performing and what we do. For every ten weeks of stress and self questioning we live one special moment and hopefully inspire others to take risks and live wonderful lives in “show business”. That being said I do call for a revolution for stronger union rules and laws supporting actors contractual rights, but that’s a whole other blog.
I don’t want to seem like I am dwelling on this USA let down. I can never look back at anything to do with JCS with a negative eye. You all gave me such an awesome opportunity when you voted for me to play the role on Superstar. I have done things and been places I couldn’t have dreamt of. It really feels like I lived a movie when I look back. I am eternally grateful to everyone involved and everyone who supported me throughout, both in the UK, Australia and all over the world. I am a very lucky person. To stand on the stage in the arenas we performed at and live that ‘Gethsemane’ moment so many times is enough. It was a moment I had dreamt about.
So!!! Anyways.
I am sitting by the pool in a wonderfully posh hotel in New Orleans about to say goodbye to this amazing journey. And I just want to say thank you. To all of YOU. To Andrew and all at the Really Useful Group. To all involved at ITV . To Lee Morgan . To Lawrence Connor . To David Grindrod. To all my friends. and all the people I’ve worked with over the years who have all taught me different things. My life wouldn’t be the same without you all. Seems a bit over the top but it seems a good time to do this. I’m about to put this all to bed and move onto the next great opportunity. I hope we all have fun and enjoy our crazy lives together for a long time to come. You all continue to inspire me.

Love

Ben