Rudi Dharmalingam‘s Unexpected Broadway Debut was quite a story indeed. The talented actor recently appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden and shared a remarkable tale of his theater experience.
Rudi and James Corden go way back, having worked together on a play called “The History Boys.” They toured around the world, performing in London, going on a world tour, and finally landing on Broadway. Rudi was originally the understudy for Dominic Cooper, one of the lead actors. However, when circumstances demanded a replacement, Rudi had to step in and take on a completely different role.
The moment of truth arrived when Rudi was asked to perform on the opening night of “The History Boys” on Broadway, despite not knowing the role. With just a day to learn the part, Rudi took up the challenge. The experience was nothing short of terrifying for him, standing in the wings with his heart pounding. But he managed to overcome his fears and delivered a remarkable performance for four weeks.
Although Rudi didn’t work for the next six months, his Broadway debut marked a turning point in his career. Fast forward 18 years, and Rudi now stars in the sensational drama series “Wakefield.” The show, set in a psychiatric hospital in Australia’s Blue Mountains, explores the complexities of mental health and how society perceives and treats it.
In “Wakefield,” Rudi plays the role of Nick, a psychiatric nurse with a unique ability to connect with his patients in unconventional ways. The drama brilliantly touches upon the struggles individuals face and the fragility of their mental health. As the story unfolds, Nick’s journey takes a destructive turn when a song gets stuck in his head, leading him to a path of self-discovery.
Surprisingly, dancing plays a part in Rudi’s role in “Wakefield.” Despite not being a trained dancer, Rudi showcased his dancing skills on the show, leaving audiences in awe. When asked about his dancing experience, Rudi shared a humorous story from his university days. In order to progress to the second year of his studies, Rudi had to pass a dance module. While he wasn’t the best dancer, he managed to scrape by with just the minimum passing grade.
Now, with his sensational performance in “Wakefield,” Rudi has come a long way from that dance module in university. The clip shown during his appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden highlighted his newfound dancing talents, proving that hard work and determination can truly pay off.
From a last-minute Broadway debut to starring in a hit drama series, Rudi Dharmalingam‘s journey in the entertainment industry has been nothing short of remarkable. As he continues to captivate audiences with his talent, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this versatile actor.
