A Glimpse Into a Life Series: Philip Quast

Singer and Actor

              My favorite depiction of Javert from the musical, Les Misérables, is portrayed by Philip Quast. He played Javert in the 10th anniversary production in 1995 filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London. I have linked his solo "Stars" above. 

           Philip was kind enough to answer via email several questions I sent his way. Please see his answers below. Thank you, Philip, for sharing aspects of your life with me and my viewers. It is a pleasure to have you as our fifty-eighth installment in a "glimpse into a life series." 

            1. How would you describe your childhood? 

           Stephen Sondheim once called my description of my childhood as “Dickensian!” Not quite, as we weren’t badly off, but there were years when Santa Claus didn’t come. It was a farm, and we worked very hard. I felt at a very young age I was doing the work of 2 adult men. I didn’t mind, as I felt proud to receive my father's adulation for doing so. But, it was lonely. A one-teacher school with eighteen students from ages 4 to twelve. I think spending so much time alone doing chores and manual labour meant I lived in a fantasy world. I pretended a lot. I imagined I was exploring unknown lands and seas, even though we were nowhere near the sea.

        2. What is your fondest memory as a child? 

        The smell of my dad's work hat when he put me on his shoulders.

        3. What conversation with your mom and dad impressed itself upon your memory?

        My sister and my brother and I had a "conversation" one night with mum and dad about drugs. They wanted us to promise we’d never use them. We refused, claiming we did not know what the future would bring! It upset them greatly, and turned into a huge fight. I realised many years later how they were projecting that most potent of human emotions—parental fear. 

        4. What would you title your autobiography and why? 

        Alas, because there were so many roads I didn’t or couldn’t take, but that sounds regretful when I am not. So, I guess Curious because I am, and it’s led to the most wonderful adventures and self-discovery, as well as meeting and working with the most extraordinary minds. I think I am a curiosity, as in peculiar. I love acquiring all sorts of new skills, and so curiosity is a prerequisite.

        5. What is the meaning of life to you? 

        To be kind to people and always want the best for them. No other purpose. We need empathy to survive and to be creative. Otherwise, we just keep killing each other.

        6. What makes life beautiful to you?

        Nature. It will win against us because we don’t see ourselves as part of it.

        7. What makes it hard?

        Seeing ourselves as separate or superior to the Natural World.

        8. Is there something you want to do that you still haven't done? 

         Retire, and go back to that more loner boyhood life. 

        9. What element of nature speaks most to you and why? 

        Its fragility and yet tenacious ability to change and adapt. Unlike us, who try to change the course of Nature and fight against it. Nature has time.We see Time in terms of our own lifetimes or three generations. Nature has billions of generations.

        10. Is there something you would like to see change about our world? 

       MEN who are in power. Why? Why do you do what you do? Well, we know but stop with the “I’m here for a good time, not a long time stuff.” You’re going to die so grow up!

        11. What individual do you look up to? 

       My life partner. She’s had to put up with me.

        12. If you could be an animal, what would you be?

        OH I don’t know! Feels like a drama school game. But certainly one that doesn’t get eaten alive.

       13. What is your favorite book and why? 

        Barry Lopez's Arctic Dreams. It's very depressing to read nowadays though, so Melvin Bragg’s The Adventure of English. It is a true adventure book, and explains a lot of why and who we are.

        14. Do you have a favorite time period in history and why? 

        I can’t have a favourite period in history because NOW is too demanding of my life, no matter how tough it is.

        15. Do you think there is a piece of music that describes your personality? If so, what is it and why? 

        I love "Madam George" by Van Morrison because it takes me into some strange, solitary melancholia. It’s a state I like to be in privately, not depressed, but just present in nothingness marking time. I do love all narrative songs, stories. But, it’s probably Shostakovich’s "Piano Concerto No. 2: II. Andante" for the same reasons I like "Madam George."