Hi Gina! Welcome to BWW:UK. It's been a few months since you last graced the stage of Her Majesty's in The Phantom of the Opera...what have you been up to since?
Hello! Well, all sorts of things really; I was lucky enough to be part of the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 centre as well as the Royal Variety Performance last year. I've been taking part in a series of concerts called "Direct from the West End" and have just returned from Dubai performing in the 'Three Phantoms' concerts out there.
Dubai?! Nice!
Yes, it's a hard life!
I imagine you thought you'd left Christine Daae behind in September, but it seems that wasn't the case...you were called in to cover when both the principal and understudy were away recently...
Oh yes! [laughs] That was a bit of a shock; I shook with nerves from the moment I was asked to come in until the end of the first performance! It was great to come back, and the cast were so lovely and welcoming. I thought I wouldn't remember it all, but I just let myself go with the flow and my muscle memory kicked in.
I hear you have an exciting new project lined up...can you tell us a bit more about that?
Yes, it's a musical called The Kissing Dance by Howard Goodall with lyrics by Charles Hart. It's adapted from Oliver Goldsmith's classic comedy She Stoops to Conquer, which is set in the great hall at Nonesuch, where my character Kate Hardcastle and her cousin Constance are awaiting the arrival of two potential suitors from London. But Kate's mischievous half-brother Tony Lumpkin comes up with a ruse to mix things up a little! It runs at the Jermyn Street Theatre, London from 22 March to 23 April 2011.
Sounds great! You're not a stranger to this role, though, are you?
No, I actually played the role when it was first written for the National Youth Music Theatre in 1998. I was delighted to hear that it was going to get a professional premiere, and am thrilled to be part of a show that had such an impact on my life the first time around. The 16-strong cast back then included many who have gone on into the business including Sheridan Smith, Simon Thomas, Gary Tushaw, Jessica Brooks, Kristofer Harding and TV stars Jaye Jacobs and Neil McDermott.
How lovely! It must've been quite an experience for you at that age. Do you have a favourite memory from your time in the show? Or perhaps a favourite venue?
Well, we performed the show all over the country, at the Edinburgh Festival, in London, in Brighton...even bits of it on Blue Peter and at Buckingham Palace! I was even asked to sing by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber in a memorial concert in Swansea...years later I realised that John Owen Jones had also performed in the same concert! My favourite memory has to be when we performed on a float at the Edinburgh Festival during the Cavalcade...we were just ahead of The Ladyboys of Bangkok!
Gosh, Buckingham Palace! Fancy! Did One attend and if so, did One approve?!
Sadly not the Big Cheese herself, but Prince Edward was the Patron and is now the President of the National Youth Music Theatre, so kindly allowed us to perform round his place! All I remember is everything being gold and that our dressing room was in the throne room!
Brilliant! Speaking of venues, you must be so used to performing in massive theatres such as Her Majesty's...how do you feel about the more intimate setting of Jermyn Street?
I'm a little bit daunted at the prospect, to be honest. It's going to be a real challenge and something I'm definitely going to have to get used to over the run, as it's a completely different skill.
What is it about The Kissing Dance that attracted you back to the role?
There's something about the show that had a profound effect on all who were involved in it, so much so that not only myself but another original cast member has returned to it. Ian Virgo originally played the scoundrel Tony Lumpkin, but is now taking the role of Charles Marlow, Kate's dashing suitor. We both agree that it's just something we couldn't resist becoming involved in again. My role is great because I get to play two different characters...I won't spoil it by telling you any more!
Ooh cryptic! It's been more than ten years since you played the part of Kate Hardcastle, how are you planning on tackling the role this time around? Has your perception of the character changed much?
Well, essentially I'm approaching her the same way, but of course my life experience can't help but affect what I do. Back then I was a shy teenager having to do her first onstage kiss...now I'm an old pro at stage romance!! I'm really looking forward to working with our director Lotte Wakeham and finding out her ideas for this new production.
Must be lovely to be reunited with Ian Virgo! How are rehearsals going, and who else will be joining you in the cast?
Well, it's very early days, but it's a great bunch of 13, including several actor/musicians who will be playing a variety of instruments on stage. We have a fantastic partnership of David Burt and Beverley Klein playing my parents, Mr and Mrs Hardcastle; I couldn't believe my luck when I heard they were going to be involved. We also have the lovely Dylan Turner and Gemma Sutton as the star-crossed lovers Hastings and Constance, and the wonderful Jack Shalloo taking the role of the mischievous Tony Lumpkin.
It all sounds wonderful, and I'm looking forward to seeing it!
Gina will be starring in The Kissing Dance at the Jermyn Street Theatre from March 22nd to April 23rd, don't miss it!
Gina Beck (Photograph by Faye Thomas)
Gina Beck in the original NYMT production of The Kissing Dance
James Hoare, Gina Beck and Sheridan Smith in the original NYMT production of The Kissing Dance
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