Alexia Khadime is currently playing Eponine in Les Miserable at the Queens Theatre. Alexia's West End debut was in The Lion King where she appeared in the Ensemble and covered the role of Nala which she later returned to the show to play full time after her time playing Candy in the UK Tour of Whistle Down the Wind. She played the role of Nala for four years until she left the show in 2008. From June to November in 2008 she took over the role of Elphaba in Wicked while Kerry Ellis went over to Broadway to play the role, she later returned to the role in May 2009 and was succeeded by Rachel Tucker in 2010. After Wicked she was in Welcome to the Thebes at the Royal National Theatre and played Deb in Ordinary Days at Trafalgar Studios. Her TV credits include Grange Hill, The Bill, The Queens Nose and Comin' Atcha. She can be heard on Act One - Songs From The Musicals Of Alexander S. Bermange, her own single 'Ring' and the Amazing Grace and Pride film soundtracks. She was very kind to fit us in with her very busy schedule and to talk about her wonderful career...
Your career ranges from a wide
variety of things, you must be very proud of all the things you've done in the
past! Are there any special memories you have collected from these that stick
out from the rest?
They are all just
so different. What I like is they individually have helped me to grow as a
performer so they all stick out for me. Something's have been bigger than other
but hey all just really count a lot.
From doing
TV and theatre you are obviously very familiar with the similarities and
differences, what are your favourite and least favourite things about
both?I like with
theatre you get one chance and you can't say CUT. Least favourite thing is not
getting to see family very much as we have 1 day off a week. TV is exciting
because it's always changing like new lines etc, so you're always growing.
Least favourite thing is the days can be very very very long and sometimes
there lots of waiting around. I remember having call time at 6am and not
finishing till really late!
You have
spent a large portion of your career in The Lion King, what is so special about
that show that you loved and enjoyed?I remember seeing
the lion king with the original company and just being blown away. I was amazed
how they were able to do such a phenomenal adaptation of a movie and put it on
stage and with new songs that are still so great. Lion King was where I made my
west end debut so it's always got a special place in my heart. The heart in that
show is amazing that's why you want to stay.
Stepping
into the role of Elphaba in Wicked at such a high point in the show successes
must have been a daunting thing, how did you deal with the
pressure?I think I was just
too happy that I was playing such a great role. And working with a supportive
crazily talented company makes it easier.
It's also
a very demanding show, how did you manage to keep that up for eight shows a
week?Rest healthy
eating and taking one day at a time.
Elphaba is
one of the most desired roles in the West End and is a dream for every aspiring
actress, so how did you go about playing the role? Did you take anything from
yourself or any past roles and put it into Elphaba?I think with
everything there's a little bit of me in there. Because I think it's important
to be able to empathise with a character and if there's something you can use in your own life to relate to
the character there's better understanding overall.
The fans
of Wicked are incredible; the show reaches such a wide audience. But what was
the thing that touched you most about that show?Although its
fantasy, (I mean who is actually green?!) There's a real story that so many
people can relate to, and that's what touches me about that piece. It's just so
well written, The music is just beautiful even without words it says so
much.
The makeup
regime must have been a lot of work to put on 8 times a week! But did it help
with your character development?It does in some
ways as its different and fun but a character like Elphaba is so easy to get
lost into, adding the green makeup is like the cherry on the cake.
When
approaching a new character, where do you start?I always like to
read through the entire script a few times to truly get a feel for the piece. At
lot of the time you'll get information from your director so you develop your
character that way. Then I tend to find over time through rehearsal the
character develops. But truly evolves in performance.
You played
Deb in Ordinary Days at Trafalgar Studios, it's such an intimate space to
play and from playing huge theatres throughout your career it must have been a
drastic change. How was it performing in that space? Now if anything
was scary, that was it! Being so close to the audience, I felt myself getting
shy, nervous and my heart thumping at 100mph! But I found I had to really
involve the audience to overcome it eg directing my sung dialog to
individuals.
Being a
part of such a successful show like Wicked must have been incredible how was it
to go from that to Les Miserable, another phenomenal, long running
show?I have to say I've
been so blessed being in such huge show such as Lion King Wicked and Les
Miserables. They are all so different and bring something to me as the
performer. You learn so much from each show you do.
You're
currently in Les Miserable, playing Eponine. But what's next for
you?I'll have to keep
you posted
