ANTON ENGEL TALKS MAGIC MIKE'S LAST DANCE

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

Magic Mike is back, for his third and last dance. This time big parts of the film have been inspired by ‘Magic Mike Live’, which you were a part of before this?

I have been in the live show since the beginning in 2017. Since the movie is based on the live show I can imagine that is why they brought me on as one of the characters. I did not have a formal audition for the movie like I did for the live show, they direct booked me.

You could say the show was your audition?

Yes you could say that my five years with the live company was my audition. Yes I believe that I worked hard to get where I am and Channing and the choreographers Alison Faulk and Luke Broadlick appreciate my work ethic.

Was it different from what you had been doing on stage before?

Film, live show or live TV, they are all very different, since we were shooting a film our choreographer really drilled us with the choreography, there definitely is a lot more pressure on us since this is forever and dancers all over the world will see this and compare themselves to us. It's almost like we are setting a standard. Comparing it to the live show it's definitely more difficult since you have no audience to perform to, just cameras and crew. And cameras capture every little detail.

Nothing says game time as getting physically prepared for a ‘Magic Mike’ film. Are you in the best shape of your life?

Absolutely! As soon as I got the email that I would fly to London for three months to shoot 'Magic Mike 3' I set up a training and nutrition regiment. Once I landed in London I had a meal prep company send me meals every week and signed up at a local gym to keep my training regimen. It was very difficult to keep the routine in London, we were very busy with rehearsal and filming every day. It was a challenge to eat and train perfectly. I believe that there is always room for improvement but I am very happy with the condition I was in during filming. Usually for photo-shoots you have one day where you need to look your best, here it's different. I had to look my best during the three month of filming which was also challenging.

'Magic Mike’ is loosely based on Channing Tatums own life as a dancer. Where did it all start for you. From what age were you dancing?

I started dancing at the age of twelve, took break dance classes after school and ended up making friends with the same passion. We would train together and on weekends battle around Switzerland. That's where my passion for dance started.

Your formative years spanned Switzerland and Sweden?

My father is from Sweden but I grew up in Switzerland. Every summer I would spend the majority of it in Sweden with my family or childhood friend. At the age of sixteen I decided to move to Sweden to study at Lunds Dance and Musical high school in Lund, Skåne. I stayed the majority of the time with my aunt. After I graduated at eighteen I decided to move to London to pursue my career as a professional dancer.

Are there any artists you would love a chance to dance for on stage?

For me, 'Magic Mike Live' is the best job you can get as a dancer. It checks all the boxes. The show is based on the dancers. When you dance for an artist you are just a backup. We are all professional dancers that come from a world of dancing for artists and TV. There is a misconception that dancing is not that important but I believe the movie will break the stereotype.

Do you see yourself transitioning more into acting. Like Channing Tatum did?

I'm very excited to see what opportunities will present themselves from the movie's success. I own my own production company as well and hope to explore that route more in the future as a director and cinematographer, potentially go more into the commercial- and film world with it. Having said that, I will definitely pursue some acting roles since the success of the movie might help.

Channing, jokingly, said he was a better stripper than J.Lo in 'Hustlers', setting off a playful film rivalry, and another heated day on the internet. Are you Team Chan or Team J.LO?

J.LO is a heck of a performer, but I mean Channing is a legend in that field plus he's my boss so sorry J.LO but Chan got my vote on this one.