From pop star to anti-hero, Vicky Anderson discovers Marti Pellow is loving his new spot in the musical limelight

DRESSED all in smart black, eyes shining in the candlelight, there’s something devilish about Marti Pellow these days.

He is about to take to the stage of the Empire as Daryl van Horne – the character immortalised by Jack Nicholson in the film The Witches of Eastwick.

The new musical of the same name is coming to Liverpool next month and Marti made a reconnaissance mission ahead of time to showcase the production.

He began what has become a successful career in musical theatre after landing the part of Billy Flynn in Chicago, a West End production that went on to Broadway.

Still performing as a solo artist, as well as with his Wet Wet Wet bandmates, when the call comes in, the energetic Glaswegian is never afraid to try something different.

"I’m 43 and still enjoy singer-songwriting but to have access to different genres of music is a wonderful thing," he says.

"When I got approached to do the Witches of Eastwick, my first port of call was the score. I really loved the music and the lyrical content. Then I went to see the production in Washington and just thought ‘yes’.

"I got the chance to engage in my imagination to get that artistic license – and it had to be completely different to Jack Nicholson.

"What he does is amazing but if you’re looking for a poor man’s Jack, go and do something else.

"It’s a great part. The leading ladies conjure up the ideal man and when he turns up he isn’t anything they wanted him to be. That excited me.

"I love the mischievousness of the whole piece and I’m still discovering new things to do with it.

"It’s extremely dark, Daryl’s a nasty piece. It’s not a cheesy musical."

Many moons ago, Marti was first approached to take to the stage by none other than Pete Townsend, who thought he’d be perfect for a role in Tommy, the show based on The Who’s movie Quadrophenia.

"Back then, I didn’t really have the discipline in my life to take that on, I just wasn’t ready."