Well, it's been three months ago now since you stood on the stage of Elisabeth in Essen. Could you go back and take over your part again right now?

Right now I could. Yes, I think so. It's still in my head. After so many shows, so many performances, it's still there.

It's been three months now. How would you judge your time in Essen from where you are now?

That was a very beautiful time for me, a very special time. It was my second job here in Germany, really only my second big job at all. It put me a little more into the spotlight, and I really felt that I grew with the different roles which I played here. The audience and the show were a special and very beautiful experience for me.

That sounds a little nostalgic. Do you still miss Elisabeth a little?

Of course I miss the production and my friends. But I also have to say that it was the time for me to move on and do something new.

You will be releasing a solo CD. What songs can your fans expect?

That actually, I shouldn't say unfortunately, doesn't have anything to do with musicals. The CD that I would like to make will be a pop-thing, more or less. I've really been working on it, and my goal is to get it out as fast as possible. But I don't stress myself because the most important thing is that it's good and that I'm happy with it.

Will it be original songs, or cover versions?

No, there won't be cover versions but original material. It doesn't matter if they're written by me or by someone else, all that's important is that they're good. Of course, I hope to have a few of my own songs on it as well.

It's also been read that you go now and then into the studio to produce this CD. How do you reconcile your new job in Switzerland with this CD production?

So far it has worked pretty well, but it's hard work. And of course it is a little difficult to calm down and be creative, but it works somehow. It is a constant search for differnet styles, an exciting journey that has just begun.

Is there any news about a possible release date for the CD?

I can't say, and wouldn't want to say yet. It's still too early.

You're currently playing Chris in Miss Saigon. You could say that Miss Saigon is of course a show about the Vietnam War, performed in neutral Switzerland, with the current world history on your mind. Are you, as an artist, sometimes emotionally overwhelmed by it?

It is natural, you can't consider it too much. It is a similar situation of course. The US march into a smaller country again, and this time the whole world reacts against it. It is really a little weird to play an American these days. I hope that this war will end soon so that we can all move on, and that it doesn't become a second Vietman, which would be bad for everyone.

Do you talk about it within the cast in St. Gallen? I think you can't just carry on as usual after such a show, you can't just shake it off and go home. Do you discuss this sometimes?

Yes, it is a difficult show, it's very tragic, and so on. And of course it is talked about, but then again, it's also a job, and we all must leave it behind at the end of the day, but we do talk about it, naturally.

How is the audience reacting to the show in Switzerland?

Very well. The Swiss are perhaps a little more restrained than the German audience. It's also a state theatre production, with many subscribers who are rather used to seeing operas or plays, but overall it's very good. All of the performances are now sold out, unfortunately - it's great for us, but unfortunate for those people who still want to come.

How long will you be in Switzerland? It was reported on your home page, jesper-tyden.com, that you took part in some auditions. What will you be doing after Miss Saigon?

It's not official yet, but within the next few weeks there will be some news announced.

Original German interview available from Das Musical.de. Translation posted here with the author's permission.