FAYE TOZER is joined by fellow leading ladies as we celebrate the return of live theatre
THE STARS OF THE THEATRE WORLD SHARE THEIR JOY AS THE CURTAIN GOES UP AFTER A TOUGH YEAR
The stage is set, the curtain is going up and audiences around the country are ready to be dazzled by the best of British theatre. As they prepare for showtime, the glamorous leading ladies of five iconic productions have gathered for this exclusive hello! photoshoot. With UK theatres now finally able to open their doors safely with social distancing measures in place, no one is more excited than the talented actors and dancers who call the stage their home. There’s a buzz of delight in the air as Singin’ in the Rain’s Faye Tozer, Phantom of the Opera’s Lucy St Louis and Pretty Woman’s Aimie Atkinson join Aisha Jawando, who is about to step into Tina Turner’s shoes to star in the musical about the legendary diva’s life, and Rocky
Horror Show’s leading lady Haley Flaherty, to strike an elegant pose. “There’s nothing quite like that feeling just before the show starts; you can feel the excitement and anticipation in the air,” says Aimie, while Lucy tells us she can’t wait for “curtain up on that first performance”, which will be “electrifying”. It’s clear that the talented women can’t wait to twirl back into the spotlight, with some of them spontaneously bursting into song on today’s shoot in West London as they get ready to dazzle audiences once again. Here, our five leading ladies tell us about their joy at the long- awaited return of theatre – and share backstage secrets from their famous productions…
‘It will be so humbling to feel we are bringing love and escapism to audiences again’
‘I still pinch myself that I get to play such an iconic role’
AISHA JAWANDO
Aisha is returning to the West End in Tina – The Tina Turner Musical as the queen of rock’n’roll herself. The 29-year-old from London has already thrilled audiences as Tina’s sister, but now it’s her time to shine as the lead.
‘ I still pinch myself that I get to play such an iconic role. It’s a dream to be doing what little Aisha dreamt over 15 years ago. I’m really looking forward to getting back on stage to see everyone thriving at what they do best and to tell Tina’s story to the masses once again.
I have performed in front of Tina when I portrayed her sister Alline in this musical. I covered the role of Tina’s sister from the beginning but I never saw this coming at all. This in itself is a blessing.
Every part of my career has made me the performer that I am today. Of course, there’s a pressure playing someone so loved. I always want to make sure that every part of her story is understood, a deeper level than what people might think of her story. From the audience perspective they are in for a whirl of her life. I love singing either Private Dancer or I Can’t Stand the Rain. Has anyone not been a fan of her music? That’s the real question.
A lot of my family have already seen the show and, believe it ‘ or not, I’m always more nervous to have them in the audience. Oprah Winfrey, who saw the show in May 2018 was so lovely. She embraced every single one of us and told us that she was such an avid fan of Tina that she followed her on tour. Following the pandemic we need all the help we can get. Yes we’re doing what we can do, but more support is needed. Tina – The Tina Turner Musical reopens at the Aldwych Theatre on 28 July. For tickets, visit tinathemusical.com.
AIMIE ATKINSON
Having won an Olivier award nomination for her role in Six the Musical, Aimie is returning to the West End to star as Vivian in the musical adaptation of Pretty Woman, opposite leading man Danny Mac as Edward. The 33-year-old, who lives in London with her dogs Magic, Wolfie and Roxie and is part of girl group Seven, still can’t quite believe it, and says she is eager to perform again.
‘ When I heard that Pretty Woman was transferring
to London [in February 2020] I was desperate to audition. Being a big fan of the movie, and my favourite music to sing being rock music, Pretty Woman with a score by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams was a dream come true for me.
I didn’t expect to get the role – I was just over the moon to audition. When I found out I had got the role of Vivian, I was shocked. If I’m honest I still can’t quite believe it.
When you are not performing, it’s almost like you lose part of yourself. There’s nothing quite like that feeling just before the show starts; you can feel the excitement and anticipation in the air – and we could all use an epic love story after the last year.
Julia Roberts is iconic in the movie and her portrayal of Vivian is mesmerising. No one in my eyes could live up to that performance, so I knew I didn’t want to do an impersonation of Julia, but take all the traits that make Vivian a well-rounded character and put my own stamp on it. I always say she is glamorous but goofy. I love the comedic side of her. Getting to act out the iconic scenes and famous lines is so much fun.
‘
When I was 13 my mum took me to see The Phantom of the Opera. I knew in that moment that I wanted to perform. It was my dream.
Performing at the Olivier awards with Six the Musical and being nominated for Best Supporting Actress was a pinch-me moment. Pretty Woman opens at the Savoy Theatre on 8 July. For tickets, visit london.prettywomanthemusical.com.
‘We could all use an epic love story after the last year’
‘I can’t wait to feel that buzz and adrenaline’
FAYE TOZER
Faye won a legion of fans as one fifth of awardwinning pop band Steps and has gone on to have a hugely successful West End career. Now, the 45- year- old from Dunstable, Bedfordshire is returning to the stage to return to the role of Lina
Lamont in iconic musical Singin’ in the Rain.
‘ It feels like a lifetime since I was in front of a real live audience. I can’t wait to feel that buzz and adrenaline. It’s been over two years since I’ve been in a theatrical rehearsal environment. I’m really looking forward to working with Kevin Clifton. I got to know him during my time on Strictly Come Dancing and he’s going to be an absolutely brilliant Cosmo.
I grew up watching Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movies and fell in love with all things musical theatre, so Singin’ in the Rain had a huge influence on me as a child. My family are all big fans of the show – even my son Benjamin, who is now 12. We still sing Good Morning every morning when we wake up.
Lina Lamont is such an iconic character – the costumes, the accent and the one-liners. I totally fell in love with playing her and the audience revels in her journey. She’s a real crowd pleaser. She is a beautiful movie star who has a particularly squeaky, unpleasant speaking voice so they have to employ someone to be her [voice]. It all goes terribly wrong for her. ‘
This summer is going to be a busy one. Not only will I be doing Singin’ in the Rain but I will be working closely with Steps preparing for the release of our next album, What the Future Holds Pt. 2, and shooting new videos, which will lead us up to our UK arena tour in November. Exciting times ahead.
Singin’ in the Rain will run at Sadler’s Wells in London from 30 July to 5 September. For tickets, visit sadlerswells.com.
‘I am so excited to fifinally get back on stage — and a little bit nervous too’
HALEY FLAHERTY
Haley is thrilled to be returning to one of her favourite roles as Janet in Richard O’Brien’s
iconic Rocky Horror Show. The actress and dancer, who hails from the small town of Larbert in the Forth Valley, says she feels lucky to be part of the return of live shows with its UK tour. ‘
I am so excited to finally get back on stage, and I can’t lie… a little bit nervous too. Singing along to the radio at home is a very different experience from performing live for hundreds. Our “scared” acting will be very realistic indeed.
I’ve been lucky enough to play Janet a couple of times before. You start the show as one version of her and by the end of the night she is a very different woman. And I am really looking forward to working with Ore [Oduba, who plays Brad]. I can confirm that he looks spectacular in fishnets.
It’s great news that Ore and his wife Portia are expecting their second child – fingers crossed the baby can wait until we get him safely back home from tour. But the great thing about our show is that we have wonderful understudies who can step into Ore’s shoes if he does have to dash off early. It could make for a very interesting evening if he has to leave halfway through a show… but what a great story to tell your child one day.
People have really missed out on live
‘
entertainment over the past year and a half and I can’t think of a better show to be kicking it all off with. After Rocky Horror, I hope to keep working on exciting and challenging projects. I used to always say I wanted to be a dancer or a lawyer… maybe one day I’ll get to play that lawyer after all.
Rocky Horror Show tours the UK from 16 July. For tickets, visit rockyhorror.co.uk.
‘Curtain up on that fifirst performance will be electrifying. I cannot wait’
LUCY ST LOUIS
Lucy is making her West End debut as Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera for its 35th anniversary. It’s an honour that fills her with pride.
I’ve been a lifelong “Phan” of Phantom. Playing ‘ Christine has been the dream role I’ve forever wanted to play. Never give up on your dreams. The thing I am looking forward to the most about getting back on stage is connecting with a character again, going on a journey that is unique nightly. I cannot wait to meet my fellow cast members and finally get stuck into the incredible material that has made Phantom so legendary. Curtain up on that first performance will be electrifying. It will be so humbling to feel like we are bringing that love and escapism to our audiences again.
I am so proud of how resilient the arts are and how we are adapting and finding new ways to bring the industry to our audiences.
The story follows young soprano Christine, who is caught in a love triangle with her childhood friend Raoul and the Phantom ghost who helps her discover her voice.
To be a woman of colour leading a show of this magnitude, portraying a woman who is strong, beautiful, graceful and desired is an
‘
image I wish my younger self could have seen more of on stage. It is a life-changing moment that is so much bigger than me.
As the West End is the beating heart of musical theatre it’s crucial that we can and are leading the way of change.
The Phantom of the Opera opens at Her Majesty’s Theatre on 27 July. For tickets, visit uk.thephantomoftheopera.com.
STYLING: ALEXANDRIA REID AT FRANK AGENCY HAIR & MAKE-UP: ALICE THEOBALD & IAN MACKINTOSH AT ALLINGTON ARTISTS USING DIOR BACKSTAGE COLLECTION & CAPTURE TOTALE SUPER POTENT SERUM, DOLLBABY EYELASHES, MORGAN’S POMADE HAIR CARE. ABBIE MAY AT MAIDA MONEY USING FENTY BEAUTY. NATASHA JOHN LEWIS