Martin Smith (entertainer)

Martin Smith(26 June 1957 – 5 November 1994,Scotland,UK) was a British actor, singer, and composer. He starred in many shows in London'sWest End,includingEvita,March of the Falsettos,The Phantom of the Opera,Les Misérables,andChildren of Eden.He died from complications ofAIDSat the age of 37.

Career

Performing

Television

He made various appearances on television but Martin Smith was best known as Mickey Doyle (1985–1986) in the long-running British soapCrossroads.His acting debut was made in Scotland in BBC'sPlay for Today.He subsequently made various appearances in television shows such asFox, Very Like a Whale, One-Upmanship, Question of Guilt, Henry V, Follow the Star,Jackanory,Playhouse, Secret Army, House on the Hill,andThe Kelly Monteith Show.

Theatre

He later moved south and began to land leading roles in West End musicals includingBilly,Something's Afoot,Let The Good Stones Roll, The Great American Backstage MusicalandThe Umbrellas of Cherbourg.He also had regional theatre experience, playing for two seasons at theLeicester Haymarket Theatrewith roles in the critically acclaimedSophocles Trilogy,and he also playedStephen Fosterin a show about the composer's life entitledBeautiful Dreamer.

He took over the role of Che in the original London production ofEvita.

In 1984, played Jerry Adair in the original London cast of the musicalPeg.

He also appeared as Marvin in a production ofWilliam Finn'sMarch of the Falsettosat the Library Theatre inManchesterin 1987 and later at theAlbery Theatrein London, and that same year he appeared inNo Way To Treat A Ladyat theThorndike Theatrein Leatherhead.

From 1987 to 1988, he playedMarius Pontmercy,andunderstudiedJean Valjean,inLes Misérables.In 1989, he appeared asBamataboisonLes Misérables: The Complete Symphonic Recording.

In 1988 he starred in a new London production ofNoël Coward's operettaBitter Sweet.

In 1989, Smith became the third principal actor to portrayThe Phantomin the West End production ofThe Phantom of the Opera.

In 1991, he created the role of Adam in the original London production ofChildren of Eden.

His final public performance was as Stine in the original London production of the musicalCity of Angels.

Concerts

He recorded several concerts with theBBC ConcertandRadioOrchestras and, during the 1980s, was a regular vocalist on theBBC Radio 2showsSongs From the ShowsandFriday Night is Music Night.

He was featured in theCole PorterrevueA Swell Party - A Celebration of Cole Porter(1992) at London's Vaudeville Theatre, singing "Love For Sale"as it was originally intended to be sung - by a man. He also played the piano in the revue.

In the 1980s Smith became a member ofThe Salvation Armyat Regent Hall Corps in Oxford Street, London. He gave several concerts for the organisation and recorded the song "I'll Make My Promises" for the soundtrack album for the Gowans/Larsson musicalThe Blood of the Lamb,released in 1981.

Composing

As a composer Smith wrote scores for several musicals, includingKing, The Rainbow Girl, That Golden Fortune, Mountains of Peru, MezzalunaandLa Tosca.He recorded several songs from those shows on a solo album a year before his death.

Death

In November 1993, Martin Smith was diagnosed asHIV positive,and he died from AIDS-related illnesses a year later on 4 November 1994. The funeral was held at the Actor's Church, Covent Garden.

A year after his death,A Handful of Keys,a gala tribute concert was held in his honour at thePrince Edward Theatre,London. The concert featuredMichael Ball,John Barrowman,Tracie Bennett,Dora Bryan,Ruthie Henshall,Sally Ann Howes,Millicent Martin,Jane Rossington,Lily Savage,Marti Webband many other of his co-stars.

Recordings

• Great Duets From The Musicals
• "I'll Make My Promises" fromThe Blood of the Lamb(1981)
• Peg: A Romantic New Musical(1984)
• An Evening With Alan Jay Lerner(1987)
• Bitter Sweet- London Cast (1988)
• Les Misérables: Complete Symphonic Recording(1988)
• Hey, Mr. Producer!(1990)
• Children of Eden the Musical: The Original Cast Recording(1991)
• Martin Smith & A Handful Of Keys(1991)
• A Swell Party: A Celebration of Cole Porter- Original London Cast(1991)
• Child Of The Earth(1993)
• City of Angels: Original London Cast Recording(1993)
• The Magic Of The British Musicals(1994)

External links

• Martin SmithatIMDb
• In Memory of Martin Smith