Successful talent show contestants

Rent

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue-Sat

LUCIE JONES is preparing for the mad world of Eurovision – and she believes her career is strong enough to survive, no matter where the UK finishes in the results table.

The 25-year-old Welsh singer won the public vote last month to represent the country at this year’s contest in Kiev.

But before she faces a global TV audience of 200 million, Lucie is in Edinburgh this week starring in the 20th anniversary production of Rent.

She’s preparing to juggle both roles over the next few months.

“I will have to miss some dates on the tour but the producers have been very supportive,” she said.

“I’ve been working on Rent since September when we began rehearsals, and once we’re finished in Edinburgh we’ll have been going for 24 weeks.

“We’ve had a standing ovation every night.”

Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-and Tony Award-winning musical is inspired by La Boheme and focuses on a group of bohemian artists in New York’s East Village, struggling to maintain their friendships and ideals.

Its subject matter – life at the height of the Aids epidemic – is more sombre than many stage musicals, although Lucy believes the genre does regularly tackle serious subjects.

“I think stage musicals do tackle heavy subjects, but this one is apparent from the word go.

“I’ve been very lucky over the last few years to have some really varied roles, some of them dream jobs.”

“Legally Blonde was my dream role and I loved being part of Ghost.

Lucie has only performed in Edinburgh twice before – during the Fringe in 2011 and on the X Factor Live tour the year before.

She made her breakthrough on the ITV talent show in 2009, competing in the same year as Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon and Jedward.

Lucie finished eighth but carved out a successful stage and screen career and faced up to the public vote again on Eurovision: You Decide, winning with Never Give Up On You.

“I didn’t expect to win so I was genuinely surprised,” she smiled.

“People call it a poisoned chalice but it’s what you make of it and I have a good song.

“We’ve had a great response already and I’m excited about the final.

“I’ve taken the right opportunities over the last seven years so I believe my reputation is good, no matter what happens on Eurovision.”