Harry Jarvis is starring in High Strung Free Dance, a follow up to 2016 predecessor High Strung. The movie tells the story of Zander Raines, played by Descendants star Thomas Doherty. Zander is a dazzling and tempestuous young choreographer. He casts a stunning contemporary dancer, Barlow (Juliet Doherty) and innovative pianist, Charlie (Harry Jarvis) in New York’s most-anticipated new Broadway show: Free Dance. But the move throws off the show’s delicate creative balance when Charlie falls hard for Barlow while Zander embraces her as his muse. YEM spoke with Harry Jarvis about the movie and his musical background.
Young Entertainment Mag: How did you first get involved in acting?
Harry Jarvis: I got involved in acting after being spotted by an agent in elementary school whilst playing Peter Pan on stage. On my second audition I booked a small role in an English TV series called Thorne: ScaredyCat with David Morrissey (walking dead) and Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) and from there I just absolutely fell in love with it.
YEM: You’re in the movie High Strung Free Dance. Have you seen the first movie which was released in 2016?
Harry: Yes of course! I watched it a few days before I met to discuss the possibility of taking on the role. Then I watched it again before filming to take what I could from Nick and Keenan’s work. They are both fantastically talented artists and I admire them a lot. We had a dancer from the first movie (Creesto) on our movie too so I heard a lot about their on set experience.
YEM: You play a pianist in the movie. Are you a pianist in real life?
Harry: I played a little when I was about 9 and passed my grade 1 exam so not really but I really wanted it to be authentic and I thought it was a great opportunity to try and learn to play the piano, so I practiced between 6 and 8 hours a day and learnt to play 14 concert pieces, I’m so grateful as I don’t think it is something I would have done otherwise and I now play in my spare time and love it.
YEM: You had an amazing cast for this film, including Thomas Doherty and Jane Seymour. What was it like to work with them?
Harry: It was amazing, Thomas and I got along so well so quickly. We hung out all the time on set and have become really good friends and as we both now live in LA we get to spend time together whether that’s going on a hike, doing self tapes, playing FIFA or just chilling together, he’s such an easy going great guy. Jane is just an absolute Icon and of course the ultimate Bond girl. It’s so great to work with her, it’s like watching a private masterclass, seeing her act on set. I love Jane and she is extremely intelligent and a pleasure to be around. She even held a screening for some of the cast and crew a few nights ago at her house to celebrate High Strung.
.YEM: The movie features a love triangle between a choreographer, a dancer, and you character – the pianist. How did you develop that romantic relationship with your co-star?
Harry: Well it was easy as Juliet is a not beautiful person inside and out. She’s also so talented and is so much fun to be around. All three of us (Thomas, Juliet and I) hung out all the time and have become great friends. When you’re with people 24/7, living in the same hotel, eating meals together and have similar interests and passions you end up bonding extremely quickly so that chemistry just comes very naturally and easily.
YEM: The movie centers around the production of a Broadway musical. Do you have a favorite Broadway show?
Harry: Theatre and musical theatre in England is a really big deal. And I have always been a fan of Broadway musicals. My old favourite was Les Miserables which is still a fantastic watch and obviously the film was fantastic too. But I recently saw Hamilton, which blew my mind and now I can’t get the songs out of my head (and I don’t want to)!
High Strung Free Dance will be released October 11.
