Interview: Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman!

Want to catch two of the UK's best leading ladies together? Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman - friends for 20 years - are joining forces for a concert on Sunday 27th September at the Prince Edward Theatre - and they met up with BWW:UK at Shaftesbury Avenue's Theatre Cafe for a chat...

It's going to be an exciting evening when Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman finally perform their long-awaited concert.

"We've been talking about this for ages!" enthuses Louise. "It wasn't until Kerry's tour, which I guested on, that we said that we really must. It's the right time now. We've got lots to talk about, and reasons to sing songs, and reasons to come together."

It's not just going to be the pair of them singing repertoire from their solo careers - there'll be plenty of duets plus some meaningful choices as well as the theatre songs one might expect from the pair.

"Getting the set-list together has been the longest part - there was lots of toing and froing with that," admits Louise.

"We started with this huge long list of songs and it became apparent what worked and what didn't. Until we get close to the concert, we won't narrow it down - it needs to feel right for us," explains Kerry.

"We won't hear it come together with backing singers and the band until nearer the time," adds Louise. "We're a nightmare for our MD!"

The dedicated fans of Wicked are particularly happy that they're finally going to get to see these two together - an excitement that's been building since the release of the duo's single 'Let Me Be Your Star' earlier in the summer.

"It's so nice that people are excited about it," says Kerry. "That atmosphere on the night is going to be great. We put our life into what we do, and I think that's why people want to see us. We could sing everything that people know us for, but we want to challenge ourselves and make it enjoyable."

Although both are known for playing Elphaba, the pair say they've rarely been in competition for the same roles at the same times, but are prepared for it to happen in the future.

"As with any industry, there are certain people who are very competitive - we're passionate about what we do, but I wouldn't say competitive. We're not fighting. If I'm not getting a role I'd like it to go to someone I respect and like, and if that's my friend who's super-talented, then that's amazing," explains Louise.

As anyone who saw Kerry in cabaret earlier in the month will know, she's currently very pregnant, and is enjoying being able to work right up until her due date.

"I worked all through my pregnancy with Alfie - we're in a really fortunate business to have a family, we get to spend more time with our kids than most people. This is ideal!" she says.

Not only are the pair rehearsing, they've also got a busy schedule of media interviews as they look forward to their big night.

"We're going to have a brilliant time!" says Louise. "Now - we just need to decide what we're wearing..."

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