BWW Interviews: Cassandra Compton (WICKED, LES MIS) About Her New Project SPINACH

Imagine waking up, but you're not in your bed. Imagine waking up, realizing you've been drugged and you're tied to a stranger… a stranger you can't see. Neither of you knows how you got there and neither of you knows how to escape.

Tom and Kate can't remember a thing…not about the last few days anyway. Everything is a total blank, except for a halloumi kebab and a double-decker bus. As piece by piece they unravel their memories, each step brings them closer to knowing their captors, closer to their terrifying fate… and closer to each other.

That's the premise of Spinach, a through-sung play that runs at the King's Head in Islington from June 12. And Cassandra Compton, formerly of Wicked and Les Miserables, is one-quarter of the cast.

More to the point, because of the intriguing, intricate nature of the plot, she has to keep a very close watch on what she says in case she reveals any spoilers.

"I will! I'll just give it away!" she admits.

She's clearly having a brilliant time rehearsing the show up in Manchester before it moves down to begin its London run, and enthuses about its "dark humour", likening its style to The National Theatre's London Road.

"It's really, really pacy," she says. "It moves, it makes my job a lot easier because I'm not having to find anything - it's there."

After working in big West End productions, this is a bit of a change for Compton.

"There are only four of us, which I'm a bit scared about - I'm on stage all the time and there's no break in the whole show! There's nowhere to hide!"

And there's another reason she's fretting about not getting off stage.

"I love to eat. This show's 80 minutes, it's not two and a half hours so I'll be fine, but I was like - I'm not going to be able to eat? What about my packet of crisps?"

Regardless, she's enjoying having the chance to create a new role after taking on iconic West End characters - but she's looking forward to seeing some of the Wicked and Les Mis fans at the King's Head.

"They've been really lovely and supportive, and I appreciate that. I hope they enjoy the show!"

Spinach plays at the King's Head Theatre from June 12. You can follow Cassandra Compton on Twitter - @cassicompton.

To post a comment, you must register and login.