Louise Dearman is a goddess among musical theatre buffs with a fantastic career behind her. Not only has she played coveted roles such as Eva Peron in Evita, she’s also been in Wicked! as Glinda and Elphaba!
This week, G-A-Y is lucky enough to get another visit from her, this time with a trio of handsome leading men in tow. We talk to her about her upcoming performance and her most celebrated roles.
By James Waygood
What does performing at G-A-Y mean to you?
I’m really looking forward it. It’s always a fantastic night. I love that you’re in this club and it’s really late at night, and everyone’s had a few drinks and having a great time. We come on stage and sing songs from musical theatre, which you would think would bring down the mood a little, but it really doesn’t. The support from the crowd there is always phenomenal and we feel very welcome and appreciated.
Any clues as to what you’ll be performing?
Well, I’m bringing three lovely friends of mine who are all gorgeous men as well. I’ve worked with them all in various scenarios: in musicals and in concert work. My dear friend Ben Richards is coming along. We can’t decide on our duet just yet. We really can’t make up our minds whether to go for something from Grease or Guys and Dolls. With Ben Forster, we’re going to be singing a duet from Dreamgirls. Killian Donnelly will be coming along and we’re going to do something from Dirty Dancing. I’m sure you can guess what duet that is. I’ll be doing a couple of solos as well. One from Wicked! I’m sure will come out of the bag. But it’s a really nice mixed bag of different genres of musical theatre, so it’s going to be good fun.
Speaking of Wicked!, you famously played both Glinda and Elpheba. Do you have a preference of those two roles?
I really enjoyed playing both those characters. With Glinda, I love comedy roles. To play her was fantastic as it quenched that thirst. With Elpheba, I loved the physical transformation into the green girl, and I got to sing all those fantastic songs. I couldn’t decide. It completely depends on what mood I’m in.
How difficult was it to get out of Elpheba’s make-up?
It’s quite gross, but you cover everything that’s green in this oil, and then you just wipe it away: it comes off pretty easily. It used to get stuck in your ears and around your hairline and stuff like that, but that’s a small price to pay for such a fantastic role. I used to go home on the tube looking a little bit yellowy-greeny, like I was a bit poorly, and I used to get a few looks.
Did you ever think you’d play Glinda then Elpheba?
I used to watch Rachel Tucker, who was playing my Elpheba at the time, and think, “It’s such a cracking role. I’d love to give it a go: just once. I’d love to just be painted green and fly up in the sky and do ‘Defying Gravity.’” It was all down to the creative team of Wicked! The producers called me ten months after I left the show and said, “We’re sat on the panel wondering why you’re not auditioning for it!” It was entirely down to them, because I really don’t think I would have put myself forward. I never thought it would happen, so it’s hats off to them.
I strive to play as many different roles as possible, that’s why I wanted to be an actress. I refuse to become pigeon-holed into one type of character, and that almost happen very early on. I played Jan in Grease, and then started to get offered similar roles. I just decided, “No. I don’t want to do that. I want to do some straight stuff as well, and I want to do the big belty roles.” I had to say “no” to a few things in order to then be taken seriously to play the other roles, and it paid off.
What would you consider some of your career highlights?
There have been many. Moments that stand out are both my opening nights at Wicked! as Glinda and Elpheba. Getting the role of Evita was pretty huge for me at the time. Also, I had this thing in my head that I had to work at the Royal Albert Hall. I just absolutely love the venue. It’s so thrilling to be stood in that auditorium when it’s empty. But to be in it when it’s full is something else. I got to do that with Michael Ball when I joined his tour. But Wicked! was a game changer for me. It made people stand up and look at what I’m doing and really take notice.
What would you consider the most challenging moments of your career?
Oddly, the challenging moments are the between jobs. You have to remember that every year is very different, and when you’re in this industry you have to be prepared for the empty spaces in between and just roll with it and make sure you keep busy. I have a brilliant management team behind me who are constantly pushing me to try different things, keep focused, and keep my eye on the game.
As an actor, I would say it was either playing Eva Peron in Evita or Elpheba in Wicked! They’re both very challenging in different ways. Elpheba was vocally challenging. With Eva Peron, you’re barely off the stage and it’s completely sung through, so it really tested my stamina and my technique. But both were fantastic.
Do you have a favourite leading man to work alongside?
No! I couldn’t possibly say that. They’re all so different and all so wonderful. I’m very lucky that I have got on with every one of my leading men, so I definitely not been a chore. I couldn’t possibly pick a winner there as the best, because they’re all fantastic.
Who’s your dream leading man?
Hugh Jackman.
Good choice!
a) He’s gorgeous b) he’s super talented. Watching him in the Les Miserables movie was something else. I couldn’t’ imagine him in the role at first, but thought he was fantastic.
• Louise Dearman is playing at G-A-Y Heaven (under the Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG) on Saturday 21st Feburary, 10.30pm-5am. Discounted entry wristbands available from G-A-Y Bar.
