"Leeds people won't mince their words" - Matt Mills on his homecoming with The Karate Kid: The Musical debut

When The Karate Kid: The Musical makes its highly anticipated UK premiere at the Leeds Grand Theatre next week, it will mark a momentous homecoming for one of its leading stars.

Leeds’ own Matt Mills is stepping into the imposing, black-belt combat boots of Sensei John Kreese - the ruthless, "no mercy" antagonist who defined a generation of 80s cinema.

For Matt, who was born and bred in Chapeltown, bringing this massive production to West Yorkshire is much more than just another stop on a national tour.

"It feels good, man. It feels lovely," Matt reveals. "To be given that trust and to be able to bring that UK premiere to so many fantastic cities across the UK is a privilege, but to be able to do it in my hometown is a privilege once again.

"I’m a massive fan of storytelling, so to be able to meld so many aspects of your life together and present that live for people is just an honour."

Matt is no stranger to the historic stage on New Briggate, having previously performed at the Grand in hit productions of Motown The Musical and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

However, The Karate Kid taps into a deeply personal history for the actor, who trained in Shotokan karate for seven years during his youth in Leeds.

"I grew up watching The Karate Kid," Matt recalls. "The crane kick, 'wax on, wax off,' 'sweep the leg,' 'fear does not exist in this dojo'—these were things that were around the zeitgeist when I was getting into film and acting.

An opportunity to be part of that iconic IP is amazing. And the fact that the script is made by Robert Mark Kamen—the guy who actually wrote the original film—means I get to speak his words, which is just a moment."

Transforming a beloved martial arts movie into a high-octane stage musical required creating an entirely new physical vocabulary.

Working alongside world-renowned choreographers Keone and Mari Madrid, as well as fight director Kev McCurdy, the creative team developed a unique hybrid style that blends authentic karate forms with contemporary dance, lyrical movement, and hip-hop.

Mills explained that the show visually pits two opposing philosophies against each other through movement: "If Miyagi-Do is very flowing, defensive, tranquil, and balanced - like water or air - Cobra Kai is violent fire.

"It's very offensive, very grounded, very weighty, and front-footed.”

Matt continues: "I train at the gym a lot - especially after getting this role - to physically give that menacing, all-encompassing karate warlord type of vibe. There isn't any show choreographically that looks like this show."

No true villain in the world of film, television or books would be worth their salt, though, if it wasn’t for the protagonists that they are facing off against, which is why Matt wanted to ensure that the entire company behind the curtain received recognition for the sheer physicality required to pull off the show night after night.

"I just want to give a massive shout-out to the ensemble and our swings," Mills insisted. "They work harder than so many ensembles I’ve seen. They have to be actors, singers, dancers, and athletes all the time to make this world work.

"I also want to use the acronym WAM—Wigs, Hair, and Makeup—along with Wardrobe and our entire crew and stage management team. Every single thing going on stage is a massive operation, and they are absolutely insane with how they keep the show up."

'Leeds audiences will let you know how they feel'

Matt is fully aware that turning a cult-classic 80s film into a musical can raise eyebrows among traditionalists, but he believes the show’s pedigree will completely win over any sceptics, making a mention that some people might equate the work to a moment from Phoenix Nights.

"Scepticism is something we are really, really good at in Britain. I get it," Matt laughs. "But what I will say is that you have a company full of people who love and cherish The Karate Kid palpably.

"All your favourite lines are in there. All the lines you expect are in there. But it’s also written by Robert Mark Kamen himself. He has developed his script and his world specifically for the stage, so you are getting the most honest-to-goodness adaptation straight from the brain of the creator."

As for returning to face a tough West Yorkshire crowd, the Chapeltown actor wouldn't have it any other way.

"The thing about the Leeds Grand is that Northerners are willing to shout out. They’re willing to let you know if they think you’re being a bully or a villain! When those things start to happen, you know you’ve really got the audience in the pocket of what you’re trying to create.

"Leeds people will let you know how they feel, and they won't mince their words about it. I love that live feedback. I adore that about coming from Leeds."

The Karate Kid: The Musical officially kicks off its highly anticipated run at the Leeds Grand Theatre on May 26 - for performance dates, times and tickets, visit the official Leeds Heritage Theatres website.

Due to high regional demand for this major UK premiere, theatregoers are strongly advised to secure their seats in advance.