Jérôme Pradon
Jérôme Pradon was born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France on 3 June 1964. He is an actor and singer who has performed in the West End, Paris and various other places around the world.
Theatre
In 1991, Jérôme made his musical debut in Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Les Misérables as Marius at the Theatre Mogador, Paris. It was this show that started his love for musical theatre, which led onto his first West End appearance; playing the role of Chris in Miss Saigon (1992-93). Next, was another debut, this time Toronto, Canada, where he originated the title role of Napoleon (1994).
In 1995, travelling back and forth between France and England, Jérôme performed in several productions including La Java des Mémoires, directed by the much loved director Roger Louret and Assassins by Stephen Sondheim. Later that year he was part of the ‘dream cast’ in the 10th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables.
Remaining in London, Jérôme created the role of Guillaume in the Olivier Award winning production Martin Guerre, which made him the first actor to have performed major roles in all three Boublil and Schonberg musicals. After Martin Guerre came Maury Yeston's Nine at the Folies Bergère, where Jérôme played Guido Contini, the sole male role.
In 1998, Jérôme gave a ravishing performance in Killing Rasputin, and in 2000 performed in Black Goes With Everything (a show celebrating the talent of Don Black) and Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind where he played the role of The Man alongside Laura Michelle Kelly as Swallow.
In 2001, Jérôme attended the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his one man show Crime of Passion - a British Premiere. This was followed by another one man show, in Paris, - Road Movie. Not only did Jérôme perform all five roles in the play, he translated the text into French. He later reprised this show in 2002.
Also that year, he was a principal performer in Délit D’Ivresse, the last piece by the legendary Roland Petit; took part in the spectacular gala charity concert A Night Of 1000 Voices; played Javert in Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre, London, and performed at the Opening Gala for the first ever International Festival of Musical Theatre in Cardiff.
2003 saw the creation of the multi award winning Pacific Overtures, for which Jérôme was nominated for an Olivier Award for his portrayal of the murderous Shogun's mother and the hilarious French Admiral. This was followed by Et Si On Chantait?, produced by Pierre Cardin, and the award winning Chance!
2004 saw Jérôme perform in One Day More! a symphonic concert celebrating Boublil and Schönberg's works; perform for the Queen and President Jacques Chirac at Windsor Castle in a Les Misérables concert, as part of the marking of the 100th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, and played King Herod in the Scandinavian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 2005, Jérôme made his Liége debut in Maury Yeston’s Titanic. In 2006, he performed at the Les Musicals Festival in Béziers and was also nominated as Best Actor for the year of 2005.
TV and film
TV and film appearances include his first paid acting job Marcheloup, L'été ‘36, Cas De Divorce and Hélas Pour Moi directed by Jean Luc Goddard. Sharpe’s Company took Jérôme to Ukraine for filming and onto British screens. Kung Fu: The Legend Continues was filmed during his time in Napoleon. The Brylcreem Boys (for which he was asked to emphasize the French accent more) was released in limited UK cinemas in 1999. Also that year, Simon Sez, seeing Jérôme play the villain of the movie, was released in the US.
French productions include Belle Grand-Mere, La Jeune Fille et La Tortue directed by Stéphane Ly-Cuong; the award winning Crimes En Serie, and film festival winner Paradisco, also directed by Stéphane Ly-Cuong.
He will be appearing in the hit series Avocats et associés, which will be broadcast on France 2.
English speaking productions include RTS Award nominated Aristocrats; Oscar nominated Vatel directed by Roland Joffé; The Dancer playing The Director; the International Emmy award winning 2000 version of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing Judas for which his performance received rave reviews and a new collection of fans; Peter Ackroyd's London and Carrie and Barry starring Neil Morrisey.
In 2004, he organised the casting for and performed the part of Andre in the French dubbing of the 2005 The Phantom of The Opera movie.
Later this year, sitcom Easy Peasy, starring Peter Davison, will be broadcast on ITV, with Jérôme playing the part of Roland.
Radio
Radio credits include National Music Day, numerous appearances on Friday Night Is Music Night and Somewhere In The Desert.
Jérôme is also a songwriter. He has written songs for Jean Guidoni's Tigre de Porcelaine album as well as for himself (he released the single "Tendrement", 1987). He is working on a pop, rock and electro album.
Discography
- Les Bienheureux De La Marge Brute (2005)
- Chance! (2004)
- Crime of Passion (2001)
- Jesus Christ Superstar (2000)
- Killing Rasputin (1999)
- Martin Guerre (1996)
- Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert (1995)
- Napoleon (1994)
- Les Misérables (1991)
Singles
- Tendrement (1987)