INTERVIEW: Colin Roy celebrates the work of Nat King Cole

That's what happens when Colin Roy visits Worthing to promote his show about Nat King Cole and sings in the square in South Street.

He was singing on Sunday and will be there again this Sunday, giving a preview of The House That Nat Built at the Pavilion Theatre on June 21.

"It goes down really well," he said. "When I sing Nat's songs even children as young as seven dance and sing along. They have been covered by people like Robbie Williams and Westlife. His music spans the generations.

"Everyone has a Nat King Cole CD at home even if they just dig it out at Christmas. Every day is Christmas for me.

"I've made great friends in Worthing. I'm a people person '“ I love meeting people and respond to the audience."

Colin's show is a celebration of the work of Nat King Cole, who he calls a "remarkable man". Signed to Capitol Records, he had more than 2,000 songs to his name, with more than 400 played on the piano and the show's title comes from the name the record company gave its building.

"It's made my job really easy to have so many songs to choose from," said Colin. "I tell his fascinating story and have a fantastic band with me.

"I've updated the show since last year so there's something new for everyone and I like to involve the audience. I might pop down into the audience and be spontaneous."

Along with favourites like Mona Lisa, Smile and Let There Be Love, Colin performs songs from shows like Route 66.

The House That Nat Built was born when Colin was working at a theatre in Hampstead, London, and the artistic director asked him to fill a five-week slot with a show of his choice.

As a boy, his mother used to play Nat King Cole songs and later in his career his voice was likened to that of the singer. "I thought wow that is a big compliment," he said.

"I knew about 40 of his songs and I got my friend Danny John-Jules, who played the Cat in Red Dwarf, to help, particularly to put humour into the show.

"Many people have heard his songs but don't know about him as a person. He was a very colourful character.

"It's a colourful show and not what people expect. I have some fabulous costumes and I am going to see how many changes I can fit in. I'm up to three so far and I'm going for the record."

Colin's musical talents stemmed from his childhood, when he and his three brothers and sisters were given instruments by their father and entertained guests at their home.

He wanted to be a footballer but his mother saw his potential as a tap dancer when he used to get up on the table and dance at family gatherings.

It was later, when he performed am dram at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith in 1993, he was spotted by Pippa Ailion, currently the casting director of The Lion King.

"She took my number and I auditioned for her and got into Hair at the Old Vic with a cast of famous names including John Barryman," he said. "I learned so much from that."

He has since played leading roles in the West End, including SoulTrain, Smokey Joe's Caf and Sweet Charity, as well as working on many other theatre shows and has TV credits to his name.

He was principal singer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and was asked by the wife of the man who wrote the song Round the World to sing it as a tribute.

"She said these were the kind of songs I should be singing and it built my confidence and I continued doing what I love," he said.

Colin has also created Motown and Kings of Swing shows and is hoping to take them to theatres soon.

A DVD and CD have been made of his show and you can hear him sing by going to www.thehousethatnatbuilt.co.uk or via YouTube.

Hear Colin at Worthing's Pavilion Theatre on June 21 at 7.45pm. Tickets are 14.50 or 16 from the box office on 01903 206206 or click here

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