First of all how are you and how are you coping in lockdown?
I am getting there! It was such a shock at first from going from 8 shows a week in such a full out, high energy show to just stopping completely. However, I have actually really enjoyed the break and have used this time to focus on new, exciting projects!
Talk us through your journey to the West End!
I have sung since I was 6! I used to always take part in local talent shows and take part in the school productions. It wasn’t until I started attending the Guildford School of Acting Saturday School and going to the theatre with my mum that I started getting serious about wanting to be on stage. I was then lucky enough to go from Saturday school to the 3 year Degree course at GSA! I landed the role of Swing/ Dance Captain in SiX the musical during my third year and made my debut in the show the day before my graduation! It was such a whirlwind week.
Which shows might our audience have seen you in?
I started my career in a very popular show, SiX the musical where I covered all of the Queens! SiX officially opened in the West End in January 2019 after we did a 6 month UK Tour. I left the show in in August 2019 to embark on my new adventure with & Juliet, a re-telling of the classic love story using the music of pop-writing legend, Max Martin. In the show, I cover the title role and it is one of the most fun jobs ever!
During the pandemic and whilst the West End is closed, I was lucky enough to appear in an outdoor concert version of ‘Hair’ on a jetty, directed by Arlene Phillips! The show is hopefully doing 2 shows at the London Palladium in January!
What’s parts would you most like to play in the future?
My current dream roles are Eliza in Hamilton, Eurydice in Hadestown and Glinda in Wicked.
How can people support the arts during lockdown 2?
You can support the Arts by buying tickets for projects that artists are doing during lockdown such as concerts, workshops or q&as. There are also incredible charities such as Acting for Others or the Theatre Support Fund who are doing incredible work to support creatives and theatres in this time whilst the curtains are down.
What is your advice for someone wanting to make it to the West End?
Never box yourself and have a ‘Just go for it’ attitude to trying new things. This industry is crazy so you never know where your path might take you! Also, be a nice human! Being a good company member is just as important as your talent when it comes to getting jobs.
What would you say is your biggest achievement to date?
With the nature of & Juliet, we are constantly meeting celebrities! However, a night I will never forget was when I played Juliet in front of Katy Perry. I sang ‘Roar’ with her in the audience and got to meet her after. She was so lovely and couldn’t believe I had only done the role a few times before that!
Can you tell us more about your podcast Cut To The Grace?
This project has been something I have wanted to do for so long! I wanted to do it to find out more about the incredible performers and creatives I know and admire. Not only about the careers, but also about them as humans! We can feel so defined by our jobs as actors. I wanted to break that stigma and show my audience that we are human beings with interesting stories and lives! It’s also a super casual, conversational podcast so that my audience can feel like they’re joining in the chat over a cuppa with their favourite Theatre stars who I am lucky enough to have join me on the show.
What is your favourite musical and why?
This is so hard! I absolutely adore the story and music of Hadestown. However, Kinky Boots is a show that just makes me feel amazing every time I listen to it and it has such an important message. My best friend played one of the angels in the show so me and my mum saw it A LOT and loved every second!
What do you always carry with you?
I am not myself without my phone, my vaseline, a hair band round my wrist and a bottle of water!
What does your perfect weekend look like?
My perfect weekend would start with a massive cooked brunch with loads of coffee before a trip to London looking around the vintage shops. It would, of course, end with watching a show on the West End before a few cocktails! Sunday would be all about chill time- Netflix, puppy cuddles, dressing gowns, cups of tea, snacks, maybe even a cheeky trip to the spa!
If you could only eat one meal again what would it be?
This is the hardest question for me because I LOVE food! BUT I think it would be a vegan chicken piccata that me and my boyfriend make (it’s amazing). It consists of quorn chicken, capers, lemon juice, white wine, and ALL the garlic. With pesto potatoes, broccoli and a bit of garlic bread on the side. DREAMS. If I’m allowed a pudding at the end, Ice cream!
If you could give one positive message to our followers what would it be?
Comparison is the killer of creativity. So, stay in your lane and remember that you are more than enough just the way you are.
