Matthew Goodgame
Matthew, 24, is from Broadstairs, Kent. He is married to Janine.
Why did you enter Musicality?
'One of my friends suggested I gave it a try. I've been taking dance lessons for over four years and would love to do it as a profession.'
Was it your first audition? Can you describe your feelings during the auditions?
'I've done one other audition for a dance group – for the experience – but I couldn't take the job because of my teaching. I felt very nervous but excited too when I did the first Musicality audition.'
Have you ever appeared on stage before? If so, when?
'I've done amateur stuff locally and that's all. As a child I used to do ballroom dancing but I gave it up when people started to take the mickey and I turned to dance. When I got to about 19, I decided that what I really wanted to do was learn to dance and maybe get into musicals. The first time I appeared on stage in West Side Story, I just loved it.'
What has been the best part about being involved in Musicality?
'The best part has been meeting so many people and seeing my own development as a performer. I'm much more confident now.'
And the worst?
'Being away from my wife and home.'
Do you always sing at parties?
'Not at all. I'd never do karaoke. I only ever sing on my own.'
What has been the hardest thing to master – singing, dancing or acting?
'The singing has been the hardest.'
What have you learnt from the experts?
'I've been getting to grips with my voice and learning to keep it natural, although it's such a technical skill.'
Tell us your most embarrassing moment so far on stage – either in Musicality or during another performance?
I was appearing at the Winter Garden in Margate and impersonating John Travolta. I did a leap called the cat's splits and my white trousers split. It was awful. Fortunately, I don't think many people saw beyond the front few rows and I was off-stage quite quickly afterwards for a quick change.
'The most embarrassing moment on Musicality has been crying when I've gone through to the next round. My dad told me that whatever I did not to cry, so he's been ridiculing me.'
Do you hope to carry on with performing?
'I'd love to carry on but I've got to keep a sensible head on me, as we've got a mortgage to pay.'
