London-based actor, dancer and singer Stephen Rahman-Hughes is well-known for his breaking role as Hang Tuah in the popular Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical in Malaysia, but he is fast carving a name for himself in London, appearing in West End productions and in a popular television series. He shares his personal thoughts and upcoming projects with Vision KL.

Tell us about your upbringing and what about it shaped who you are today.
Growing up was not an easy ride for me. My father was in the army, so we moved around a lot and that was unsettling but you become incredibly versatile to get along in new environments…schools, friends, kids can do that. There wasn’t much money so I didn’t get to go to Karate classes or football every week, which I loved playing. My parents split when I was around 13 and that really shook things up. I stayed with my dad and quickly learned to be very independent. I delivered papers at six in the morning; something that kids at that age wouldn’t be able to do nowadays without fear of abduction or something sinister. Anyway, I became very driven to change my life and create the best for myself...to get more out of me. That feeling seems to have stayed with me. It never goes away.

What stirred your love for performing?
I was always the outgoing type, the attention seeker as a child – thinking up stupid ways to get people to see me. I wanted to be an actor but a friend of mine who was a dancer noticed that I could move well. Without my knowledge he went ahead and arranged an audition at his dance school. I spent a day doing all kinds of dance and fell in love with it. They gave me a place. On that course I learned so much about expression and how I wanted to plug into the world through that. It literally gave my life meaning. I have a lot to thank that friend for.

What are your thoughts on the arts scene in Malaysia namely KL?
KL is buzzing. There is much more I’d like to see and experience but there’s a lot if you dig.  It would be nice if people could experience different art forms for themselves with lots of classes to choose from and get involved in. Sometimes you need to have a choice of top quality stuff shoved in your face for you to say “Hey that sounds cool, let’s check it out”. It’s always important for the arts to be in contact with society otherwise people find other stimulations, maybe less healthy.

You have carved a name for yourself with your role as Hang Tuah in Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical. What are your thoughts on the theatre scene in Malaysia?
My experience is limited only to a few projects; there is certainly a lot of enthusiasm to progress and many people with ideas. Everyday I hear so many people saying “Let’s try this, let’s try that,” it’s great. However, I think there is a place for more expertise in the industry and you only get that through a training programme. It’s good to explore but you need to know what you’re doing otherwise you can be wasting a lot of time. The people in the industry with the training and strong background are more efficient in the way they work, they are more detailed and precise with what they do and they always stand out. We need more of them.

What do you think you have contributed to the country? Would you like to do more acts in Malay?
I would love to. My Malay needs to keep improving though. In terms of contribution, I just do my best at what I do. I think people judge for themselves what the contribution is. If I inspire people, then that’s a great positive. I love it when I get moved or lifted by someone and their work. I enjoy affecting people’s experience of life, hopefully for the better. It makes me feel that my work is important to them.

Tell us about the latest projects you are currently immersed in?
I’m still working on a movie with KRU and preparing for a concert. That’s taking up my time. I am also planning to be a big part of a performing arts academy soon to open in KL. It’s something Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina and I have been involved with for a while. It’s really exciting and it will need a lot of attention.

You will be performing the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber with the MPO, are you looking forward to it?
I’m really thrilled to perform with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. I got a call from them last year and was asked to do three concerts.  I jumped at the chance. I’ll be singing all the classic show songs with big orchestrated arrangements. It’s going to be very special for me. There is nothing like singing with an orchestra, it’s magical.

How was Teatro formed? Is the group still active?
The group was formed when our management called a whole bunch of guys who were leads in the West End or Broadway with the idea and we all sang together until 4 guys were chosen to make the album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. Teatro still does bits here and there. We always had our own careers going on and still do. Everyone is very busy at the moment so we haven’t had much chance to get together in a while.

What do you consider your strongest forte?
That’s a good question. I’m not sure I can answer that. It definitely used to be dancing but that has changed with age. My voice is in pretty good shape and I really love the acting. It’s a massive challenge on many levels. I think it’s better I don’t think about it. I think I’ll let other people decide what my forte is.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
Stepping onto stage as a lead actor in the West End was a huge achievement. I had to overcome a lot of fear to do that. The challenges are there everyday some small some bigger, depending where I’m at with myself. Sometimes it’s hard to say to yourself “You can do this”, every time I put myself in front of people, whether it’s a rehearsal, a performance or an audition. You have to find a way to enjoy and take pleasure in it. You have to know that you have done the work in rehearsal and the training and that you have done all you can to prepare. After that it’s a leap of faith.

What are some of the memorable moments in your career? Favourite performances?
Performing PGL for the first time. I’ll never forget it. You can’t imagine what it was like to perform a brand new show in another language with thousands of people wondering if you can do it. There was huge expectation and a whole heap of pressure. Performing for the Queen of England with Teatro was a highlight too because we shared the stage with the likes of Bon Jovi, Seal, James Blunt and Enrique Iglesias. I have a special place in my heart for ‘Bombay Dreams’. That show changed my life.

Would you have like to explore other interests or hidden talents? If so what would they be?
I’d have been very happy if I was a football player. I got to play a football player in a TV series, it was so much fun. I could try sports commentator. I love diving too so I should get my instructor’s certificate. Other than that, maybe a pilot or a psychotherapist. I’m great at being a couch potato but I don’t need to explore that.

Tell us your life journey thus far. Where are you at this point of your life?
I am grateful for all the opportunities that I have had in my life, my career has been very rich already and I’m happy to say that I can be extremely proud of my achievements so far. There is always room for improvement though, and a person’s development and growth never stops, so I cannot wait to see what is in the future. In my personal life, I am very pleased to say that I am getting married to the woman I love, later this year…we’ve known each other a long time but our careers have always kept us apart, with all the travelling and touring. We’ve always been the best of friends and now we have finally taken the plunge to make it work and be together - that will certainly be one of my biggest achievements so far.

What do you like best, acting, singing or dancing?
Dance was the first for me, so that is how I was initiated into the arts…as I mentioned before, it released me from a part of my life that was a struggle, gave me a purpose and for the first time I was excited about being good at something and being able to work at it. It became my emotional outlet and although I didn’t have the perfect dancers physique, my desire to communicate through the medium propelled me into choreography. I was described as a raw talent and perhaps that is evident for a lot of my achievements – my character was labelled the ‘Diamond in the Rough’ in Bombay Dreams, which was quite apt. Singing has always been there, my mother and father sung a lot around the house and we listened to Mo-Town growing up, I was naturally musical. Now my voice has changed with time and learning new skills, I love singing and will always love it. Acting is the most recent challenge and probably the skill that I enjoy nurturing the most…I want to be better, I want to explore and I want to understand it to the core. It is amazing what you learn about yourself in the process of becoming better.

What can we expect next from Stephen Rahman-Hughes?
The performing arts academy is something I’m committed to and we’ll see how the KRU movie does. I’ve also been approached to record a solo album this year, so we’ll see if that comes to fruition. I’d need to find the right material and creative team but it would be so much fun……I think it’s time I did it. I’d also like to do another movie this year. A movie, an album and getting married will be more than enough for 2010. Other than that I’ll keep my expectations high, hope that more wonderful opportunities come from all my hard work and take life as it comes.