That's a WrapA (very) long road to semi-stardom - Musings of a Supporting Artiste

Phillip Tolley

Phillip Tolley began his professional vocal career at the Athenaeum Theatre, Plymouth, as Alfred in Strauss’ ‘Die Fledermaus. Since then he has appeared across the country, from the Scilly Isles to Buxton, in Operatic roles and on the Oratorio stage. Internationally he has sung in Cyprus and Germany.

He studied privately with Antony Benskin for 12 years and while in Cyprus, from 1994-1997, with former Royal Opera Covent Garden member Linda Humphries. He has also undertaken Masterclasses with the following coaches;

Kenneth Bowen

Morag  Noble

John Huw Davies

Alexander Young

Ian Caddy

Mollie Petrie

Noelle Barker

 

In 1988 he appeared in the British Premiere of Donizetti’s ‘Torquato Tasso’, under Carlo Rizzi and also covered the role of Clotarco in the Premiere of Haydn’s ‘Armide’ at the Buxton International Festival. In 1989 he created the role of Hlestakov in the World Premier of Peter Dawes’ ‘The Government Inspector’.

Choral Works include the standard repertoire of Handel and Mendelssohn Oratorios, the masses of Haydn and Mozart and the canticles of Benjamin Britten.

He has appeared in a range of lighter music concerts from musicals to Old Time Music Hall

As well as the 1988 Torquato Tasso Buxton Opera performance which was broadcast on Radio 3, he has appeared on Television and Film in both walk-on and featured roles for over 30 years. He is a member of both Equity & Bectu Unions.

For the BBC he has appeared in Casualty, Return to Cranford, Poldark, A Very English Scandal and Don't forget the Driver, while other broadcasters work includes Stella (Sky), The White Princess (Starz), Will (TNT), The Collection (Amazon Prime), You, Me and the Apocalypse (Sky) My Dinner with Herve (HBO) and The Crown (Netflix).

On the big screen he has appeared in The Bank Job, The Other Boleyn Girl, Fred Claus, The Oxford Murders, The Wolfman, Sweeney Todd, Casino Royale, Mission Impossible 6, Mamma Mia 2, Jurassic World 2 and Kenneth Branagh's version of the Magic Flute. In 2019 he will appear as the Bishop of London in 'The King' with Timothee Chalamet.

He is currently a member of the Abertillery Male Voice Choir as well as being a corporate member of the Association of British Choral Directors and a member of the Singing Network UK