Interview: Bronte Barbe, Princess Fiona In UK Tour Of SHREK!

Hello Bronte! We're looking forward to having Shrek in London this month - it's such a delightful little show, have you really enjoyed yourself?

Oh, yeah, I love it, it's just so much fun! Its style is so old-fashioned - a big Broadway show!

Did you see it when it was in the West End?

I did, actually, I saw it with the original cast, and I remember thinking, "That's a great part, I'd like to do that!"

How are your tap-dancing skills for Fiona's big number?

They're all right! I do love tap, it's my absolute favourite. I always have a good time every night doing that.

That's one of the big Broadway things you're talking about!

It's so brash and lively - marvellous!

You've been all round the place...

I think this is our 25th venue now - it's been fun, and it's surprised me how little I knew the UK. It's funny how different each place can be. It's been great to explore a lot - I've seen a lot of stately homes and castles!

So what's been your favourite castle?!

*laughs uproariously* I can't believe I've said that, it's so random. Edinburgh, obviously, is one - I just like to get out on my day off, or before a show.

You said the towns are different - have the audiences responded differently?

We've always got a lot of people watching, but it does differ. Some places are very raucous, particularly when there are a lot of children there, and some places really listen in silence. Maybe that's also to do with how theatres move the sound around, but it's very different.

You've been on tour for a while, and now have just London and the Lowry to finish off with.

Yes, up near my home!

That'll be nice, you'll be able to get friends and family along for your last shows.

It's lovely. We were at Manchester Palace last Christmas and I was playing Little Red Riding Hood then, so it's amazing to bring it back up north, playing the lead. It's a shock, but it's great.

What do you have planned for when the run ends?

I'm not really sure yet. I'm looking forward to auditioning for new things, and things in London - I did Cool Rider (the stage concert adaptation of Grease 2) for a week, but that wasn't a long run.

Cool Rider must have been a riot to do.

It was laugh a minute, it was bonkers! I've never done anything like it. We had no idea we'd get the reception we did, it took us all by shock. The audience was just amazing. It was a wall of sound, everybody knew all the words, people were shouting out at bits, they were dressed up, we couldn't believe it.

So that was so much fun! I'd love to do lots of things - I love to travel, I did Hairspray in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore before this, and that was an amazing experience. I'm very open to what comes next.

Bronte Barbe plays Princess Fiona in Shrek, at the New Wimbledon Theatre from January 20.

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