INTERVIEW: Alice Fearn, currently starring as Elphaba in WICKED at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

Alice is currently playing the lead role of Elphaba in the London production of WICKED, after having previously been the standby for the role. The Woman in White (Palace), Les Misérables (Queen’s), Annie Get Your Gun (Young Vic); ‘Rapunzel’ in Into the Woods (Regent’s Park), ‘Gingy’ in Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), ‘Renee’ in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy) and ‘Nancy’ in Oliver! (Watermill Theatre, Newbury). She took time out of her greenifying to have a little chat with us.

You were previously the Standby for Elphaba in the London production of Wicked, when did you find out you’d be taking over as the lead?

Well I’d been auditioning for quite a few years for the show, when I’d be able or free to do so I’d be auditioning for it. Weirdly actually, this last time I auditioned, when I got the standby, I said that was my last time I was doing it. I think that might have been my fifth time auditioning, I remember calling my mum and saying “this is the last time now, I can’t be put through the wringer if I’m not going to get this.” I thought this was my last time and if I get it great, if I don’t then I can move on. And thankfully I got it, then obviously a year later I got the upgrade to play the lead full time. I think I was in the kitchen with my fiancée, Gavin, who was cooking lunch and my agent called me and I knew it would be about this because I’d auditioned to play the lead again so when I was the standby I had to go back and do all the stuff again so I knew I was waiting for a phone call with a yes or a no. My agent had me on loud speaker so I did think it was something quite important because the whole office could hear, and he said I got the job and I was so shocked and surprised I think I threw the phone across the room towards Gavin and he was saying “What?! What?!” and I just said they’ve given me the part. And immediately we got a bottle of champagne out of the fridge and started pouring it because it was something I wanted for so long. So, it was a pretty good day that day!

12 production shots that describe the struggles of being in a Musical

When you get a whiff of your costume and clearly it hasn't been dry cleaned in weeks.

2016 Revival of Half A Sixpence 

When you catch a glimpse of a really fit audience member. 

2017 UK tour of Grease the Musical 

When its a double show day and your legs just say no. 

2012 production of Cabaret at the Savoy Theatre

REVIEW: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking

Based on the classic comedy film starring Sir Michael Caine and Steve Martin, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels transports you to the French Riviera and its decadent underworld, as two seasoned swindlers attempt to hoodwink a millionaire heiress. As the pair compete in the true art of the con, they discover there is only room for one of them. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels the Musical is a fabulous spectacle about two fraudsters, who are both equally determined to outwit each other, as well as anyone unlucky enough to cross their paths. 

The touring cast is led by Michael Praed as crooner 'Lawrence Jameson' and he is nothing short of outstanding. From his very first appearance, he was instantly likable and performed with smoothness and charm, without being slimy. His dance moves were suave, and his vocals were great. Despite a set malfunction involving a rogue doorknob, (and a forgotten line or two as a result of the raucous laughter from both the audience and actors), he delivered a fantastic performance overall. 

Minimal vs Actual art work!

Inspired by our feature last week, we thought it may be interesting to compare the Minimal Musical designs against some of the real designs used by the shows. Do you prefer the alternative version? Tweet us which one is your favourite, or if you like a particular design from a different production of the show then share that too! 

Cabaret 

2012 London revival vs Minimal Musicals 

FIRST LOOK: Bonnie Langford and Gary Wilmot in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

Bonnie Langford and Gary Wilmot will take over from Samantha Bond and John Marquez in the West End run of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from 16 September.

The show's principals Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound and Katherine Kingsley will continue with their performances as Lawrence Jameson, Freddy Benson and Christine Colgate.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is based on the popular 1988 film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, directed by Frank Oz.

Set on the French Riviera, the story sees the decadent world of sophisticated conman Lawrence Jameson come crashing down with the arrival of larger-than-life Freddy Benson - a conman of an entirely different order.

Bonnie Langford and Gary Wilmot will join the cast of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

Bonnie Langford and Gary Wilmot will take over from Samantha Bond and John Marquez in the West End run of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from 16 September.

The show's principals Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound and Katherine Kingsley will continue with their performances as Lawrence Jameson, Freddy Benson and Christine Colgate.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is based on the popular 1988 film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, directed by Frank Oz.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Musical Theatre Review

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a musical based on the film of the same name, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane this musical made its Broadway debut almost 10 years ago. With a star cast that included John Lithgow, Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott the show was nominated for 10 Tony Awards however only managing to win 1. The show began its journey on this side of the Atlantic in November last year, having a pre-West End tryout at the Manchester Opera House and the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. It finally opened on April 2, 2014 with direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell and design by Peter McKintosh. 

The story is very similar to the film; two conmen, one who has been doing it for years and another who is new on the scene, get to together and have a bet as to who can get $50,000 out of the ‘soap queen’. The film is brilliant and I wasn’t expecting the story of the musical to be so close to it but, as they say, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it! The story was super easy to follow, to be honest you don’t need to concentrate on it so that allows you to sit back, relax and have a laugh. Exactly what this show is about.