42nd Street is a treat for Sheena … and Duchess
SHEENA EASTON says her West End debut in 42nd Street was “everything I could have dreamed of ”.
The Grammy-winning singer and her castmates received a standing ovation led by the Duchess of Cambridge at the opening night of the hit Broadway musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Easton, 57, who sang James Bond theme For Your Eyes Only, plays Dorothy Brock, a diva ousted from her lead role in a musical by a younger star, played by Clare Halse.
She said: “It was wonderful — everything I could have dreamed of. Standing in the wings you get these goosebumps up your body and the au d i e n c e h ave been so receptive. People went crazy at the end.
“I still get nervous but I was mostly excited. We’ve had two intense weeks of rehearsals where we fine-tuned it, so we were just raring to get out there.”
The show, which runs until October 14, is raising money for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, for which Kate is a royal patron. The Duchess joined the cast on stage, where she was presented with a pair of gold-painted tap shoes.
Easton said: “It was such an honour to have the Duchess in the audience. We didn’t feel any more pressure, we were just excited she was here and we can help her with her cause. We were all very flattered. She came backstage and was so encouraging and complimented us on how wonderful she thought the show was.
“It’s one of the best shows around and a wonderful role for a woman my age and they don’t come around very often.”
Presenter Sara Cox, who was in the audience, said: “I was tired and I had to make the kids dinner re ally early and I was dreading going into town ... but it was one of the most joy-filled, smiley productions I have ever seen.”