STARS IN YOUR EYES

You’ve seen them in your favourite musicals in the West End, you’ve listened to them belting out your top show tunes – and now you can see them at G-A-Y. Ricci Bryson caught up with Louise Dearman, who just finished starring as Glinda in Wicked, and Leanne Jones, best known as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, for a chat about what they’ve been busy with and why they can’t wait to perform for you…

Good morning ladies, so tell me what have you gorgeous gals been up to?

LOUISE: God, where to start? Today has been a really exciting day for me – I’ve been in meetings about a new TV project plus looking over the shots from a photo shoot yesterday. I’m launching a new album in April, so I’m hoping that some of these shots will be perfect.

LEANNE: Well, I’m just in the final two weeks of a panto-run in Stevenage, playing the fairy in Beauty and the Beast. I’m in pantoland so everything is just over the top fun and giggles. I love it.

So you both will be joining the handsome Mark Evans [from Ghost: The Musical] for a one night special appearance at G-A-Y. What are your looking forward to most in that performance?

LOUISE: I’m just so excited about the whole thing – seriously I’ve wanted to perform at G-A-Y for years. I’m really looking forward to the crowd as I know that everyone is there for a great night out and they love to be entertained. I’ve been busy practising a few numbers for my appearance and looking over a few surprise tracks to perform.

LEANNE: Like Louise, I just can’t wait to get on the G-A-Y stage. I’ve always wanted to perform there. I was hoping to do an appearance just after my role as Tracy Turnbald in Hairspray, but some things came up, and I missed my chance. I mean playing to the G-A-Y crowd will be out of this world and I’m also planning to let my hair down that night too.

As we all know, you both played huge West End roles. What was that time like?

LOUISE: Playing Glinda in Wicked was an amazing role for me; I just loved playing the role so much that time just flew past. I was also really lucky as I was playing opposite my dear friend Rachel Tucker. It was hard when I left the cast, as not only was I leaving a brilliant role, but I was also leaving some really amazing friends.

LEANNE: It was a life changing experience for me, and a dream come true to play Tracy Turnblad. It felt really strange and exciting too; my face was plastered all over billboards, magazines and on TV. It was amazing and a true honour.


When I opened the door, a tad stressed, I realised that it wasn’t my brother at all – it was bloody John Waters!”

So, as we all know, there is loads that goes on in showbiz land, everything from the tantrums and tiaras, to long rehearsals and show times, but what experience have you learned from your time in the London West End?

LOUISE: There is just so much going on in showbizland, you meet so many brilliant characters. I always live by the old saying ‘treat others as you want to be treated’. It’s something we’ve all heard before, but in this very tough business it’s amazing advice.

LEANNE: Hairspray was my first ever West End job, so I really appreciated where I was and all the experiences I was gaining. One lesson I learned was to always trust your own instincts and live in the moment, things can get crazy at times. I recall a time when I was I’m my dressing room and just about to pop in the shower when someone knocked the door. I was expecting my brother, so I wrapped a towel around me and frantically marched to the door. When I opened the door, a tad stressed, I realised that it wasn’t my brother at all – it was bloody John Waters! I was just gob-smacked, he was such a lovely guy and gave me loads of compliments about my performance. It’s those moments that I just love.

Finally, what have you got planned for 2012?

LOUISE: Well, 2012 is going to be a jam-packed year for me – everything from album launches to some potential TV castings. Obviously, I’m looking forward to our West End Stars appearance at G-A-Y.

LEANNE: Being in the final few weeks of panto, I’m just looking forward to having some free time and getting back into the swing of castings and new projects.

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARK EVANS

currently starring in Ghost: The Musical, will also be joining West End stars Leanne and Louise on stage at G-A-Y this weekend. Ricci Bryson caught up with the swoonsome hunk between rehearsals… 

How are you today?

I’m great thanks. I’m enjoying my day off with great food and relaxing in front of the TV. Having opened in Ghost just over a week ago, it’s good to have a little calm time when possible as the show is really intense.

You will be joining other leading West End stars for a one night special appearance at G-A-Y this Saturday. What are you looking forward to most about that performance?

Photo: Matt Crockett

Gigs like G-A-Y are guaranteed great nights and I can’t wait! The atmosphere will be amazing and I’m excited about having a laugh with Louise Dearman and Leanne Jones. I worked together on Wicked with Louise, and I can’t wait to be reunited for a couple of bevvies and belting out a few tunes!

You’ve just taken over from Richard Fleeshman to play the hunk Sam Wheat in the hit show Ghost. It must be a really exciting time for you. What have the last few months been like?

Playing this role is amazing. I saw the show when it opened in June and I immediately called my agent and told him that when I finished my run in Wicked, Ghost was the next musical I really wanted to do. At the moment, I have a really intense rehearsal process, from ‘note-bashing’ the songs through to learning all the special effects on stage with the full cast, costumes and technical elements. To be given the responsibility of telling the Ghost story is an incredible honour.

You look pretty buff, how do you keep fit for the role? Are you a bit of a gym fanatic?

I’ve been a regular gym-goer now for about six years now and I lead a very active lifestyle anyway. I try not to be too much of a couch potato, which I suppose keeps me lean. I hit the gym at least three or four times a week, but I don’t see it as a chore, I really enjoy it.

Finally, we all know there is loads that goes on in showbizland, but what experience have you learned from your time in London’s West End?

The main thing I’ve learned is that this job is really hard work. It’s easy to get lulled into a slight false sense of ‘it must be so glamorous’ when you’re training as an actor. Of course, it very often can be glamorous, but I’m thankful that I am a natural grafter because this job is like being an athlete most of the time.


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G-A-Y West End Stars is at Heaven (9 The Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG) on Saturday 28th January, 10.30pm-5am.

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