Interview: Petula Clark - From 'Downtown' to Sunset Boulevard and Now a North American Tour

Petula Clark appeared as Mrs. Johnstone in the Broadway musical Blood Brothers. She has also performed the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard in London's West End for two separate engagements and during its U.S. Tour.

During her career, which began with her first group of recordings in 1949, Petula Clark has defined the term "successful, cross-over artist".

Petula's participation in the1960's "British Invasion" of the U.S. Pop Charts began with her GRAMMY-awarding winning recording of "Downtown". Her follow-up, Top-40 smash "I know a Place" won her a second GRAMMY for "best vocal performance of the year".

She has danced on-screen with Fred Astaire in Finian's Rainbow and was Peter O'Toole's leading lady in Goodbye, Mr. Chips.

She is currently touring North America with her solo act, which will play a few dates at Mohegan Sun's Cabaret Theatre. Petula spoke with BroadwayWorld.com writer, Randy Rice on March 7, 2006.

Randy Rice: Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. I saw your show at Mohegan Sun's Cabaret Theatre in late 2004. It was really terrific.

Petula Clark: Was it really? Thanks. I am really happy to be back at Mohegan Sun. I am afraid that I haven't changed the show that much since then. There will be a couple of different songs, and I will be wearing a different dress. (Laughs)

RR: Will you be performing any of the songs that you wrote?

PC: Did I last time? Yes. I think that I will be singing a couple of songs that I have written, maybe "Memphis", maybe "Driven by Emotion". Last night I was having dinner with Leslie Bricusse while I was here in L.A. He is, of course, such a brilliant writer. He asked me "When are you going to write some more?" "You should write more." He is working on a three-cd set that should be marvelous.

RR: You have had such great success in some many areas. How do you think of yourself? As a singer, a songwriter, a stage actress?

PC: Well, that is a tough one. I have been very lucky to be able to work in such a broad spectrum, which keeps it fun. I never get bored, because I can do a little bit of this or a little of that and have the best of all worlds.

RR: Being a bit younger, I really became aware of you as a performer when you took on the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. I had certainly known the "60's pop icon" Petula, but your role in Sunset Boulevard really made me take notice. How did you get that role?

PC: I took it reluctantly. I was passing through London, or at least thought I was just passing through, when I went to see a performance of Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close. It was a magnificent spectacle, but I had no interest in playing the role. I just didn't connect with it. Trevor Nunn, who was directing it, had made up his mind that I was going to play the role. I had made up my mind that I wasn't going to play the role. I said "No." "It is too cold, I am not interested."

He said, "This is different." "You could bring something different to the role." I asked him what he thought I could bring to the role. He said I could bring vulnerability and humor to Norma Desmond. He talked me into it and I decided to take the role. I did play Norma Desmond with vulnerability and humor, which I hadn't seen in the character before.

RR: I read that you had performed the role more times than any other actress. Is that true?

PC: Yes. I played it for a year in London and for a year when it toured over here.

RR: I read that on petulaclark.net, which is an exhaustive site on your career. It is really unbelievable. Who runs that site?

PC: I have heard that it is a great site. I don't possess a computer. Unlike Norma Desmond, I don't read my notices or articles written about me, so I haven't seen it, but my fans operate the site.

RR: You have an incredibly devoted fan base. I know that you take extra time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with your fans. Why do you take that extra time?

PC: I can't always do it, but when I can, I do. Sometimes, after giving my all on stage, it can be hard to sign for all my fans. When I do, it is very humbling to hear how my music has affected so many people. I have met so many great people that way.

RR: You have a new DVD, Live at the Paris Olympia, what else are you working on?

PC: The last time I was here in L.A. I recorded a few songs, a few titles, of Rod McKuen's work. He is such a beautiful poet. I took the recordings back to the chateau in France. I listened to them recently and I thought they sounded quite good. So, I am, as we speak, going back to the studio to record some more tracks. I think that an album may very well come out of it.

Then I am going up to Toronto for a few days, then back down to the States. There is a lot going on.

RR: Last question. Who do you consider to be your contemporaries in the music business?

PC: I am not sure I understand the question.

RR: You have performed in successfully in so many genres. I was trying to figure out whom you identify with as an artist. Is it a concert performer like Shirley Bassey, for instance or a Broadway/Stage Performer like Julie Andrews? Or is it someone else?

PC: Well.... Shirley (Bassey) is fine and Julie (Andrews) is fine, but for me, my favorite is Dusty Springfield. She was the best of the best and she was gone too soon. Way too soon.

RR: Thank you for your time, and good luck on the rest of your tour.

PC: Thank you. If you come to see me again at Mohegan Sun, I promise that I will be wearing a different dress.

Petula Clark will be performing at Mohegan Sun's Cabaret Theatre on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 through Sunday, April 2, 2006.

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