Cynthia Erivo is currently starring as Celie in the sold out, UK premiere of The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory. She has received both critical and public acclaim for her performance. Only yesterday Mark Shenton said: “There is no more thrilling musical performance on a London stage than Cynthia Erivo's Celie. She brings piercing heart, soul and voice to the role.”
Earlier this year Cynthia starred in the world premiere of LIFT at the Soho Theatre and she also recently played Deloris Van Cartier on the UK Tour of Sister Act. Her other theatre credits include: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Gielgud), The Three Musketeers and the Princess of Spain (Traverse Theatre/English Touring Company) and 24 Hour Musicals (Old Vic).
I recently spoke to Cynthia about what it’s like to be playing her dream role, how she deals with mid-show standing ovations and what it was like to perform alongside some of the West End and Broadway’s biggest stars in Scott Alan’s concert at the indigO2.
The entire run of the Color Purple has now completely sold out and everybody is raving about the show. How does it feel to have had such an amazing response?
I’m really proud of the show and I’m so chuffed and excited that people want to come and see it. I’m also happy for everybody involved because everyone has worked really hard and the fact that we’ve sold out means that lots of people will be able to see all the work put in.
I’m really proud of the show and I’m so chuffed and excited that people want to come and see it. I’m also happy for everybody involved because everyone has worked really hard and the fact that we’ve sold out means that lots of people will be able to see all the work put in.
I think it’s something to do with the way it calls on everyone’s feeling and allows people to let go and become involved. The show is set up in a way which instantly includes everyone. It doesn’t just feel like us telling a story, it feels like everyone is there with us for every step of the journey. Of course the Menier is quite intimate as well which really helps.
The audiences show their appreciation throughout the show and often give you a standing ovation after your rendition of ‘I’m Here’. How do you deal with a mid-show standing ovation?
Well, I give it time but I always know that the story has to continue and I need to make sure that I take responsibility to drive it forward. So when I do get a standing ovation after ‘I’m Here’ I don’t let it go on for too long because the story is very important and has to be told.
Well, I give it time but I always know that the story has to continue and I need to make sure that I take responsibility to drive it forward. So when I do get a standing ovation after ‘I’m Here’ I don’t let it go on for too long because the story is very important and has to be told.
Cynthia as Celie in The Color Purple
When did you first become familiar with the musical?
I had loved the musical for a while and had heard a few whispers about it coming to London. Then I heard that it was definitely happening while I was doing The 24 Hour Musicals at the Old Vic. A week or so later I auditioned for the role and got the confirmation that I had been cast as Celie towards the end of January. It was just amazing because Celie really was my dream role! I had my eye on the role for a very long time and really wanted it but never had any idea that I would one day get to play her!
I had loved the musical for a while and had heard a few whispers about it coming to London. Then I heard that it was definitely happening while I was doing The 24 Hour Musicals at the Old Vic. A week or so later I auditioned for the role and got the confirmation that I had been cast as Celie towards the end of January. It was just amazing because Celie really was my dream role! I had my eye on the role for a very long time and really wanted it but never had any idea that I would one day get to play her!
Celie is a huge role and takes you on such a massive journey every night. How is that something you deal with? Does it ever leave you feeling drained?
When my friends are in and are emotional at the end it’s hard for me to come off stage and act as if nothing has happened. When I go off stage I always think “right, fine, done” but that’s not how it is. The show is extremely emotional and very raw and seeing other people upset and overcome with emotion does the same to me and it takes me a while to wind down and go back to ‘being me’.
When my friends are in and are emotional at the end it’s hard for me to come off stage and act as if nothing has happened. When I go off stage I always think “right, fine, done” but that’s not how it is. The show is extremely emotional and very raw and seeing other people upset and overcome with emotion does the same to me and it takes me a while to wind down and go back to ‘being me’.
What are the cast like to work with?
They are all wonderful people! They are all so dedicated to the piece and are good people to each other. People must tell you this a lot in interviews but it really does feel like a family because everyone takes care of each other. I love going into work every single day and getting ready for the show because we have such a great time.
They are all wonderful people! They are all so dedicated to the piece and are good people to each other. People must tell you this a lot in interviews but it really does feel like a family because everyone takes care of each other. I love going into work every single day and getting ready for the show because we have such a great time.
You recently performed in Scott Alan’s concert at the indigO2. For me it was surreal to see so many incredible performers sharing a stage, what was it like for you?
Oh my gosh – it was just out of this world! It was so weird, I was like “what’s going on”! There were so many people who I had seen perform before but had never met – I mean I shared the stage with Shoshana Bean for goodness sake! It was ridiculous but the whole thing was incredible! I had the best time and had so much fun, everyone was so helpful. It was a crazy day, I had rehearsals and sound check at the O2 in the morning, then I had to run off to the Menier for the Sunday matinee performance of The Color Purple and then back to the O2 to quickly get ready for the show!
Oh my gosh – it was just out of this world! It was so weird, I was like “what’s going on”! There were so many people who I had seen perform before but had never met – I mean I shared the stage with Shoshana Bean for goodness sake! It was ridiculous but the whole thing was incredible! I had the best time and had so much fun, everyone was so helpful. It was a crazy day, I had rehearsals and sound check at the O2 in the morning, then I had to run off to the Menier for the Sunday matinee performance of The Color Purple and then back to the O2 to quickly get ready for the show!
Cynthia performing in Scott Alan's Concert at the indigO2
And what was it like backstage, was it super stagey?
[laughs] No it wasn’t actually! Everyone was laid back! I think everyone was so nervous because we wanted to get it right, Scott’s music means so much to him and everyone wanted to do a good job for him. We were all very nervous, it was almost like we were all performing for the first time! But it was amazing!
[laughs] No it wasn’t actually! Everyone was laid back! I think everyone was so nervous because we wanted to get it right, Scott’s music means so much to him and everyone wanted to do a good job for him. We were all very nervous, it was almost like we were all performing for the first time! But it was amazing!
What was it like to receive such high praise from Scott after your performance?
In a short space of time Scott and I have got to know each other very well. He’s one of those people who won’t say anything unless he means it, so for him to say what he has said about me performing his music means the world to me. I’m so glad that he liked what I did with the song, it’s a big thing to be able to trust someone else with your music. I’m so thankful for the opportunity he gave me.
In a short space of time Scott and I have got to know each other very well. He’s one of those people who won’t say anything unless he means it, so for him to say what he has said about me performing his music means the world to me. I’m so glad that he liked what I did with the song, it’s a big thing to be able to trust someone else with your music. I’m so thankful for the opportunity he gave me.
Earlier this year you starred in LIFT, which is still one of my favourite shows of the year. Obviously it was a brand new piece of theatre so what was the experience like for you?
Fun... crazy... completely different from what I’m doing now! It was also very weird because I had just finished Sister Act which is very American and LIFT is very English. The role was something completely different for me and I really enjoyed giving my own take on the role (Lap Dancer). I became very attached to the character and a production is about to open in New York, it’s very weird to think that somebody else is going to play her.
Fun... crazy... completely different from what I’m doing now! It was also very weird because I had just finished Sister Act which is very American and LIFT is very English. The role was something completely different for me and I really enjoyed giving my own take on the role (Lap Dancer). I became very attached to the character and a production is about to open in New York, it’s very weird to think that somebody else is going to play her.
As you’ve mentioned, all the roles that you have played are completely different. Is variety something which is important to you?
I love a challenge and I love to keep stretching myself and suppose that I have to be thankful to both my agent and to the people who have cast me in shows because they trust me to play completely different parts. I guess I kind of do look for different roles to make sure I’m not doing the same thing over and over again because then I wouldn’t learn, and I love to keep on learning.
I love a challenge and I love to keep stretching myself and suppose that I have to be thankful to both my agent and to the people who have cast me in shows because they trust me to play completely different parts. I guess I kind of do look for different roles to make sure I’m not doing the same thing over and over again because then I wouldn’t learn, and I love to keep on learning.
Cynthia and the cast of Sister Act
Deloris in Sister Act is such a huge role, you must have had a ball playing her on the Sister Act UK Tour?
I did! It was like a party! It was incredible but a lot of work and I did get tired from time to time - but I loved it! It’s a very fun show and when you do something for so long and perform to different audiences you learn really quickly how to stay focussed and strong and how to keep it going night after night. I will never, ever forget the experience, it really was amazing!
I did! It was like a party! It was incredible but a lot of work and I did get tired from time to time - but I loved it! It’s a very fun show and when you do something for so long and perform to different audiences you learn really quickly how to stay focussed and strong and how to keep it going night after night. I will never, ever forget the experience, it really was amazing!
Touring is very different from doing a show in London, how do you find it?
I love it but it’s so tiring! The most tiring part was travelling from place to place every week but then my favourite part was getting to see so many different places and learning about them, it was very cool.
I love it but it’s so tiring! The most tiring part was travelling from place to place every week but then my favourite part was getting to see so many different places and learning about them, it was very cool.
Now that you’ve played Celie, have you got your eye on any other roles?
Maybe... I don’t want to jinx anything or get into trouble! Actually, there is one role which I really, really love – Felicia in a show called Memphis. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get to play her because the show was on Broadway and I don’t know whether it will ever come over here.
Maybe... I don’t want to jinx anything or get into trouble! Actually, there is one role which I really, really love – Felicia in a show called Memphis. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get to play her because the show was on Broadway and I don’t know whether it will ever come over here.
What is it like having so much support behind you?
It’s just amazing to know that people enjoy what I do. People are lovely on Twitter and I try my hardest to reply to pretty much everything because nobody has to take the time to tell me that they enjoyed the show, so if people do take the time to send me a lovely message it’s my duty to say thank you – it’s a small word so why not.
It’s just amazing to know that people enjoy what I do. People are lovely on Twitter and I try my hardest to reply to pretty much everything because nobody has to take the time to tell me that they enjoyed the show, so if people do take the time to send me a lovely message it’s my duty to say thank you – it’s a small word so why not.
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
The Color Purple runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 14th September 2013.
Click here for further information.
Click here for further information.
Click here to read our five star review of The Color Purple
Photo Credit 2: Nobby Clark
Photo Credit 3: Darren Bell
Photo Credit 2: Nobby Clark
Photo Credit 3: Darren Bell
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