Fashion designer Michael Kors on his passion for the stage
What was the first show you went to see at the theatre?
The Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun starring Ethel Merman. I was five years old and I thought that every show was going to be that great and that everyone could sing like her.
Growing up, what role did theatre play in your childhood?
I grew up on Long Island, but came into the city often and I’ve always loved Broadway. From seeing Annie Get Your Gun to Company when I was in the sixth grade, it was an experience I always knew was special. The power of the theatre to transport you into a different place and time is something I recognised and loved from an early age.
Should the theatre be reserved for special occasions only?
No — I think it’s a great way to recharge your batteries and find inspiration. I go at least once a week.
Who is your favourite theatrical icon?
Bette Midler has the talent, the energy, the heart and the charm all at once. Her Dolly Levi is one for the ages.
Is there a playwright whom you have admired throughout your life?
Stephen Sondheim — his shows are some of the only ones I never tire of seeing; they are sophisticated but playful, and they get to the core of human emotions. I saw my first Sondheim play in the sixth grade, and they just keep getting better with time. The Sondheim revival at the National with Imelda Staunton proved that his work never ages and always stays relevant.
What was the last theatre show you saw and what did you enjoy most about it?
I just saw Network at the National Theatre with Michelle Dockery and Bryan Cranston and was blown away by the whole production.
Which British actresses do you most admire?
Where do I start? I mean, Dame Helen Mirren and Tilda Swinton are always on my list; they have great style, great taste and tons of talent. Mark Rylance and Daniel Day-Lewis have unimaginable talent and remarkable range. And James Corden brings such joy to everything he does. He’s a treasure.
What is the most memorable theatre production you have been to and why?
A Chorus Line when I was a teenager was a game-changer. The raw emotion, the mirrored finale and the talent on stage knocked me out.
Why do you go to the theatre?
The greatest way to travel without getting on a plane is to lose yourself in theatre. I’m in Thailand with Anna and the King, New York with Rent, the American revolution with Hamilton. Theatre is travel — it transports you to another place and time.
Michael Kors was a platinum partner for the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards
