MALLOW’S MOLLY TAKES STARRING ROLE IN FESTIVE JOHN LEWIS ADVERT
AUDTION FOR SECRETIVE ‘PROJECT X’ LANDED MOLLY PLUM JOB IN ICONIC CHRISTMAS AD
WHEN Mallow dancer Molly Ward’s agent lined her up for a blind audition last August, little did the London-based 24-year-old realise that it would land her a starring role in arguably the most iconic festive advertising campaign on television.
However, the audition for the mysteriously named ‘Project X’ turned out to be a casting call for this year’s John Lewis advert – which will be seen by millions of people over the coming weeks during the lead up to Christmas.
The release of the British department store’s traditional Christmas ad is always an eagerly anticipated occasion, for many heralding the start of the Yuletide season with their emotional and often tear-jerking themes
As people probably already know by now, this year’s ad entitled ‘ The Boy With the Piano’, featuring legendary singer Elton John, takes a different approach. It shows the pop-star playing his seminal hit ‘Your Song’, while key moments in his life and career flash before viewers eyes.
What people may have been aware of is that Molly, a former pupil at St Mary’s Secondary School in Mallow who studied ballet at the Cork School of Dance and musical theatre in England, is one of the actors in the ad.
In her first ever TV role, Molly is one of the people gathered around a young Elton John on the piano as the ad flashes back to the 1960s. As the song is belted out Molly, dressed in a 60s style mini-dress and sporting an impressive period style hairdo, can be seen dancing with an older man.
Speaking to Patricia Messinger on the C103 Cork Today show, Molly said that neither she or her agent had the slightest idea what the initial audition was for.
“It was not until I got the job and started filming in August that I knew what it was for. They did not even tell us on the day. We all had to sign confidentiality waivers and even put stickers over our phones to stop us taking pictures. That was how secretive it was,” said Molly.
While there was no mention of Elton John at any stage, Molly and the other actors were able to piece something together as the prosthetics and clothes worn by the actor on the piano bore more than as passing resemblance to the Rocket Man.
“While they gave nothing away we were able to work out that it was going to be about Elton John.
“I was gutted that I never actually got to meet the man himself, but it was incredible to just be part of something that his name is attached to,” said Molly.
She admitted that she did not even know she was included in the ad until it was screened on British TV last week.
“It was filmed over seven-days and as I was only there for one of those I did not know if I would be included in the final cut. So, it was amazing to see it when it aired.”
Molly said that she had been inundated with messages of support from family and friends since the ad hit the TV screens.
“I never expected such a reaction. Everyone is over the moon. It’s been brilliant for me,” she said.
While Molly is hoping that the ad may lead to more TV work, for now she is busy rehearsing for her role in this year’s Everyman Palace Theatre panto. Cinderella.
“I love panto, so to be able to come back to Cork and do it professionally is just amazing. I love it,” she said.
“In the New Year I will head back to London and back to square one.
“It can be a tough life, but you never mind doing all the auditions and hard work when you are doing something that you love.”