BMus graduate, drummer Ben Cullingworth scored the part of understudy as Ringo for West End Musical 'Let It Be' at the Savoy Theatre for 6 months. He then moved up to the main role over the next few years, combining both the West End and performing on tour.
Ben has also toured internationally with Thriller Live, Million Dollar Quartet (including a stint at the Royal Festival Hall), 20th Century Boy and The Sessions.
He has recorded with fellow ICMP graduate Árni Hjörvar Árnason (The Vaccines) and Gil Cang (Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Amy Winehouse) and also performed with renowned saxophonist James Morton and Armada Of Secrets (supporting Bloodywood on their 2019 UK Tour).
"Basically, I heard about the auditions through Phil Martin (former student) who currently plays the part of Ringo. He shares the part with another drummer, who is now leaving. The company wanted to replace this guy, and so held auditions that I believe were only through recommendations by the musicians currently working on the show. For my first audition, I had to sit in a small room with John, the MD, with just a drum kit and play through the tracks from memory. There were about 5 tracks played on just drums and one that was vocals and drums. The audition went great and a couple of weeks later I got a phone call from the casting agency asking me to come back and do a second audition. It was on stage and was great fun. About 3 weeks went by and I was finally sent a contract for the understudy role of Ringo for Feb-Oct 2013 at the Savoy Theatre, alongside another drummer, Luke. I cannot wait to get started, I've been down to see the show a couple of times and it's ace!”