Jak Malone said he has ‘found joy’ after being recognised for his performance
A Merseyside actor says his dreams have come true after winning a prestigious award. Jak Malone, 30, from Prenton, received a Tony Award in New York earlier this week for his performance as Hester Leggatt in award-winning musical Operation Mincemeat.
Based on a true story from World War II, the operation is largely attributed to Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley. However, until recently, little was known about Hester, a female MI5 secretary.
The award-winning musical began its run on Broadway earlier this spring. Speaking to Playbill moments after receiving the Tony Award, Jak said it was a victory for his younger self.
The Wirral-born actor said: “I am hovering above my body experiencing this, watching this happening. There’s been so many points during this insane amazing awards season where I’ve said to people, my 15-year-old self is in the room.
“I watched Stephen Schwartz sing ‘For Good’ to Idina Menzel, and I was crying, and I said: ‘you’ll have to forgive me, my 15 year old self is in the room,’ and I feel like that today.
“That’s the age when I really just decided that Broadway was the top, and that’s when I was like, ‘I endeavor to go there and find my joy,’ and I feel like I have.
“So my 15-year-old self is in the room. And if you told him I was going to win this, he would’ve believed you, because he was confident.”
Jak has recently supported the release of a brand new book called Finding Hester. The book chronicles how a group of super fans, ‘Mincefluencers’, tracked down the previously unknown details on the real Hester Leggatt.
Jak has written the foreword to Finding Hester. Speaking about the book, he said: “You’re in for a treat. It’s an incredible story that I still have trouble believing in myself.
“A group of plucky individuals who pull off the unthinkable – a moment in history that truly deserves to shine.” You can find out more about the book here.
Jak also won an Olivier Award last year for his performance as Hester. The performer previously told the ECHO how he was “proud” of the community of fans he has built up over the years since leaving Merseyside and settling in the country’s capital.
The actor said: “It’s my dream to be on the West End and it’s my ambition but it is something you think won’t happen to you. Everybody has to have a grounded approach but it has finally happened to me and it’s so much bigger and nicer than I ever thought it would be.
“The community of fans that have built up around the show are so lovely and so present. They are a real part of the day-to-day aspect of what it means for me to do the show.”
Before Jak started making a name for himself in London, he was adding to his CV whilst living back here in the city centre. He thanks his nan, Joan, for introducing him to the entertainment industry as she used to work at the Liverpool Empire Theatre as a dresser.
He added: “Back then, they were very generous with the complimentary tickets – they gave tickets out for everything. I saw everything that was on and it truly was inspiring.
“I went with my cousin and it didn’t matter what was on, we were there watching it for free. It showed me exactly what I wanted to do and pinpointed it for me. It helped me see a way forward in life.
“My family started to see performing was benefitting all aspects of my life. My behaviour improved, I was doing better at school and I became a lot more well-rounded and happier as a child.”
Having found his passion in life, Jak went on to join a theatre group in the area before studying at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).
Just before he was about to graduate from Paul McCartney’s institute, he received a call which transformed his fortunes. The actor who was due to play Dim in a performance of Clockwork Orange at the Liverpool Everyman pulled out and Jak was asked to fill in. His performance got him noticed and helped him secure a role in Operation Mincemeat.
