‘I was living life on a tightrope over fire all the time’: Wayne Sleep on his rise to fame as one of Britain’s best-known dancers

“I didn’t realise you are only allowed an hour at the Fringe. I mean, how can I write about my whole life at 76 in one hour?”

I am on the phone to Wayne Sleep at 2pm, which he requested because he isn’t a morning person. That is reflected in the name of his upcoming Fringe show, Awake In The Afternoon.

Before diving into discussing the show, I have told him I grew up watching him as Squirrel Nutkin in The Tales of Beatrix Potter ballet on video and copying the moves of Mr Mistoffelees in Cats, a role he originated in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original musical.

Explaining why he wasn’t in the 1998 production I had on DVD, Wayne said: “Gillian Lynn had the audacity to ask me to audition for my own part. Ridiculous.”

Wayne won a scholarship at The Royal Ballet School at 12 years old in a true Billy Elliot moment. In fact, writer Lee Hall said the dancer’s first biography was his inspiration for the story. At only 5ft 2ins, he was the shortest male dancer to ever have been allowed into the school.

‘I had to be over 100% of what the others were doing’

“I got in because I could spin faster and jump higher than anybody else because I had to,” said Wayne.

“Every time I did a solo, if somebody else had done it the year before, I would have to get two or three curtain calls to their one. I was living life on a tightrope over fire all the time, I had to be over 100% of what the others were doing.”

Wayne didn’t let his height, or anything else for that matter, get in his way. When he was rejected from roles, he used the time off to strengthen his skill set.

In the years that followed, he originated numerous roles, choreographed for the likes of Angela Lansbury and Betty Davis, acted alongside Sean Connery, partied with Freddie Mercury and danced with Princess Diana in her famous Uptown Girl surprise performance.

“What haven’t I done?,” said Wayne.

“I just love it all – I’ve had a fair few moments where I’ve felt like I truly made it.”

© Steve Ullathorne

Inspired by his own life, Wayne’s show at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe is about overcoming adversity.

Friend and fellow dancer Jacquie Brunjes will be by his side to ask quick-fire questions about his life – and to ensure he doesn’t go over his hour-long slot.

“It’s about turning negative into a positive,” said Wayne.

“It’s for all those dancers out there who are being bullied or told they’re not that good.”

He added: “Getting into the industry is much worse now; I was there at the right time. All the colleges are churning out these brilliant artists and it’s so difficult to get into it. Comedy has taken over too; unless you’re a comedian you can’t get on TV.

“But that’s fine, we had our variety time, then it was the pop world that took over, which was great, and now it’s the time of the comedian. God knows what will be next, maybe pole dancing.”

A Fringe first for Wayne Sleep

The show will, of course, finish on a dance number, which includes multiple styles, despite him having turned 76 just last week.

“Not everyone is ill at my age,” said Wayne. “I have started classes for elderly people online, just with some fun exercises, teaching them to be elegant in their old age and have fun.

“If you have the spirit still, you’ll live to over 100, otherwise you’ll just wither away. I would just be sitting here staring at the wall if I wasn’t still doing all this. I do hope there’s no pit at the show though or I’ll fall into it.”

This will be Wayne’s first time performing at the Fringe, though he has always dreamt of doing so. He is still deciding whether or not to don his best Scottish attire for the occasion.

“I actually bought my kilt up in Inverness on a day off when I was at Eden Court with my group Dash about 20 years ago,” he said.

“I bought the kilt, the sgian-dubh, the long handknitted socks, everything. I was just bored one afternoon and spent £2,000.

“I had only had one measurement for it when I usually would have needed three fittings, but this guy just measured me once and it fitted me like a glove, I couldn’t believe it once it was all sent down to London.

“I still wear the dinner jacket out now, it is divine. I did consider wearing my kilt for the show with a pair of bloomers underneath, but I am not going to do that.”

Wayne hopes this show will add to his already fond memories of Scotland from his years touring with various companies, and that the audiences will be even better than he remembers.

“I love Scottish audiences because, if they like you, they really cheer you on,” he said.

“Glasgow and Edinburgh audiences are very different, Edinburgh is usually a little more reserved but we don’t want any of that at the festival. The more we have a party, the better.”

Wayne Sleep: Awake In The Afternoon is at Pleasance Courtyard from August 19 to 25. Tickets are available at edfringe.co.uk or by calling 01315 566550.