Rebecca Storm
The singer and musical-theatre star tells Elle Gordon about her favourite people, places and things
“I made myself the shortest suedette mini-skirt when I was 12. It was vile, but I loved it”
The person
Of course, ‘husband and daughter’ is the right answer, but really it’s the chef at our local Indian restaurant, Indie Spice.
The memory
After pushing out my baby’s head, the midwife said, ‘There’s a good bit more pushing to do yet, my dear’. I’ll never forget that moment, and she was so worth it. An amazing memory when it was all over and there she was. The moment of the day I’m not sure it would be printable. Let’s just say, after I’ve woken up and before I get out of bed, or after I’ve climbed into bed and before I go to sleep.
The song
The Second Time, written by Tim Rice and Francis Lai. The music is from the French film, Bilitus. I used to play this amazing album in my car all the time. Tim Rice put a wonderful lyric to it, and I sang this song for my Blood Brothers audition. It did the trick. “I’m not sure it would be printable. Let’s just say, after I’ve woken up and before I get out of bed”
The hero
Nelson Mandela, Emmeline Pankhurst, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, Anwar Sadat.
The movie
I went to see five times when I was 16. I’d never seen anyone perform like Barbra Streisand, and I learned so much. I was, and still am, besotted with Kris Kristofferson.
The book The outfit
A Star Is Born When I was young, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee; and after I’d turned 50,
How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran. I made myself the shortest suedette mini-skirt when I was 12. I stitched it all by hand, and it was vile, but I loved it. The only time I was allowed to wear it was on Thursday evenings to watch Top
Of The Pops and The Monkees. I danced around the lounge — I thought I was fabulous!
The accessory
Well, it used to be a tall and sophisticated toy boy, until I got married. Now it’s a small and sophisticated iPhone. The gadget My Swiss army knife — there’s nothing you can’t do if you have one. The hotel The Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Co Waterford. We spent last New Year’s Eve there, and had a spectacular dinner with amazing views across the bay. The pet hate I hate rudeness in people. The celebrity Bette Midler. She’s funny, intelligent and honest. The friend I’m very lucky to have lots of friends whom I love dearly. My hubby is my best pal, but I tell my doggie everything. The beauty product I love my concealer — it does just what it says on the tin. It hides lots of things that I don’t want people to see. The drink A glass of Champagne is always fun; and I like a good white wine over dinner. After a concert, I like a half-pint of lager and lime, but mostly I drink sparkling water with a tiny splash of blackcurrant Ribena. The advice I toured with Bob Monkhouse when I was 19 years old. I’d always had two large gaps in my teeth, and had been told by countless dentists that they were unfixable. On the last night of the tour, Bob took us all out to dinner, and said to me, ‘One day, I’ll be a guest on your show, Rebecca, but only if you have your teeth fixed’. He introduced me to his dentist, and my smile changed forever. God bless Mr Monkhouse! The holiday Australia. Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania — it was a month of everything: rest, relaxation, excitement, and it was totally fascinating. The bar Bruxelles, Grafton Street. It’s perfect to just sit under the canopy, watching all of the glamorous Dublin people pass by.
The hobby
My garden. It’s a passion. Fresh air and exercise, and much more fulfilling than going to the gym.
The part of my body
It would have to be my vocal chords. They have taken me all around the world and have given me a fabulous life.
The virtue
Patience is a virtue, and a lot of people have needed it with me over the years.
The vice
I love my breakfast brought to me in bed. I’m not allowed toast — too many crumbs.
The smell
Freshly chopped herbs from my garden. My favourites would be: basil, mint, tarragon, lavender, sage and thyme
The taste
Fresh crab and caviar. I’d be a savoury rather than a sweet girl. Rebecca Storm will perform ‘My Life in Music’ in the new Whale Theatre, Greystones, Co Wicklow, on November 4