Siobhan Dillon is currently starring as Sally Bowles alongside Will Young in the UK Tour of Cabaret. She previously played the role during the show’s 2009 Tour.
In 2006 Siobhan entered ‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?’, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s television search to find an actress to play Maria in a West End revival of The Sound of Music. After coming third on the programme she made her West End debut the following year in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre playing Patty Simcox and understudying the roles of Sandy and Marty. She later returned to the production to star as Sandy.
Last year Siobhan starred as Molly Jensen in the West End production of Ghost The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre. She also recently played Vivienne in the West End production of Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre. Her other theatre credits include playing Claire in Ex- The Musical at the Soho Theatre, Mandy in the UK Tour of Can’t Smile Without You and Karen in the workshop of Tim Rice’s new musical From Here to Eternity.
Yesterday I spoke to Siobhan about how she is approaching such an iconic role differently the second time around, why starring in Ghost last year made her realise how much she loves Musical Theatre and why touring life is difficult when you have an ‘extensive shoe collection’...
What was it that drew you back to playing Sally?
Because the role is so complex! I felt really short-changed last time because I had a week to learn the script and songs for a three month tour. For me the rehearsal process was just too short and I kind of got thrown into it. Also I didn’t feel it was a long enough run for me to really get my teeth into the role. On top of that I think I was far too young to be able to understand the script, subtext and history, and I hadn’t experienced enough as a person - so when the chance came up again, straight away I was like “yes, yes, yes, absolutely!”
How did it feel going back into rehearsals second time round? Did it feel strange at first to be rehearsing for a show you had already done or did you relish the opportunity to explore the role all over again?
Definitely more the latter, I really enjoyed the idea of going back and looking at the show again from a different point of view. I mean I am a different person now compared to four years ago so it was really lovely being able to rediscover Sally’s journey. I understood it this time. Although there were a couple of moments when I did think that perhaps knowing the script previously wasn’t serving me and could have been hindering my progression because I kept dropping into the way I had done it before. It was quite difficult trying to scrap that and start fresh but hey... I loved every second of the rehearsal process! It was quite funny because on the first day everyone else was hanging around saying “Hello, good morning, very nice to meet you” and there was me saying “When are we going to start? Shall we start now? Shall we do it now?” and everyone was like “Siobhan relax”! I just couldn’t wait to get going again! For the last four years I have been thinking "I would love to get my teeth into Sally Bowles again" so I was super, super elated!
Sally is an extremely iconic role and has been played by some very well known, iconic performers. Was that an intimidating thought at first?
Hugely intimidating! I think one of the things which went in my favour four years ago was that I was very naive and I didn’t have time to give much thought to who had played Sally before me. It all happened very quickly, I was brought in to take over from Samantha Barks to finish the tour. But it is certainly one thing which can really haunt you, especially during rehearsals. At the end of the rehearsal process last week I started to feel anxious about whether I had done all the right research, had prepared enough and was playing her as I wanted to. I had last minute jitters about whether I was right for the role because it is so iconic and most actresses want to play Sally Bowles because it is a ridiculously complex role and such a fantastic show. I was almost expecting someone to turn around and say “She can’t do it, she’s not good, she doesn’t do this right” because everybody has such a strong opinion of Sally Bowles. I was preparing myself for that but actually people have been really supportive and positive about my performance which I am very happy and relieved about!
Cabaret evokes such a huge response from the audience, when I saw the show the other day there were laughs, gasps and tears. Why do you think the piece has such a huge effect on audiences?
I have tingles down the back of my spine thinking about how I felt the first time I saw Cabaret. I think it’s probably that moment when you are laughing out loud but then realise that the undertone is something quite dark, tragic and terrible. It’s that juxtaposition of laughing and crying which really takes the audience on a roller coaster ride and you sort of get caught up and lost in it. The show moves very quickly and you can’t hold back, everyone becomes involved. From the moment the curtain comes up every issue is strong, powerful and hard hitting. Not to mention the incredible dancers and phenomenal singers who give Cabaret a real punch. You can’t shy away from Cabaret, you can’t deny Nazi Germany or the moment with the nudity and Berlin’s dark underworld. It’s intriguing and frightening.
You are working alongside an incredible cast! What are they like to work with?
An absolute dream! They are all humble, grateful, fun people. Seriously – I was gobsmacked when I first heard some of the things which can come out of these people’s mouths. I was like “How are you so talented and yet so wonderful at the same time?” because in this industry you get a lot of people who are not any of those things. The ensemble, the backstage crew, everybody is just awesome to work with.
Siobhan as Sally Bowles in Cabaret
You’ve been in several West End and touring productions, how does touring life compare to being in the West End?
I find touring life very difficult because I have an extensive shoe collection. I get a bit frustrated about having to pack for a couple of weeks in advance because I get quite bored of my own wardrobe, so in that respect it becomes quite tedious [laughs]. However, after getting to know everybody over the last few weeks I am so excited about going on tour, I don’t think I’ve been this excited for a long time! When you do a show in town it’s more like a normal job, after the show people go home to see their dogs and their partners; whereas on tour everybody is in digs together and it really feels like one big family – it’s brilliant! It’s like a holiday with a little bit of work thrown in!
You recently starred as Molly in the West End production of Ghost, how was the experience for you?
It was a real eye opener. During my time in the show I realised that I want to do Musical Theatre and acting, real acting. That’s actually another reason that when I was asked to play Sally again I grabbed it with both hands, because I wasn’t prepared from an acting point of view when I first played the role. Ghost really made me realise how much I love musical theatre and that I really want to be good at all aspects of it. I mean, singing is something that I’ve always been able to fall back on – I’ve been doing it since I was nine. In the past I’ve pushed acting to one side because I never really wanted to do it, but doing Ghost made me realise how important musical theatre is as a whole.
And I see you’re still in touch with your co-star Mark Evans (who played Sam)!
I love him. [laughs] It’s as simple as that! We are like brother and sister, although secretly I want to marry him!
Well it’s not a secret anymore!
[laughs] I think everyone knew that anyway! It’s ok, I don’t mind everyone knowing!
Siobhan & Mark Evans in Ghost The Musical as Molly and Sam
You also played Vivienne in one of my favourite shows, Legally Blonde. Was being in the show as much fun as it looked?
It was awesome! Do you know what the best thing was? I got to stand in the wings and watch all the hard work! I didn’t have to do any of the cheerleading or skipping, I just had to stand there in a suit – it was great! It felt amazing to be part of such a wicked show.
You burst onto our TV screens when you came third on How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria. It feels like years ago now, do you have fond memories of your time on the show?
Absolutely, one minute I was in Bethnal Green doing a fashion course and the next I was at the BBC and then on a West End stage! I discovered a lot about myself and the industry, although one thing that went in my favour was that I had literally just come from fashion college so didn’t really understand what was at stake. The other girls used to drink honey and lemon and would steam and I would be like “What are you doing?! What does steaming mean? What does it do?!” I was so inexperienced but it meant I got to go in every week, learn a song and then perform it in front of a studio audience, completely unbeknown to me how many people were watching it on TV! I had no perception really, I was very naive but had lots of fun! Again, it really did feel like a holiday! A few of the girls were quite intense but it only made the experience more interesting for the rest of us.
What are some of your favourite shows in the West End at the moment?
I was bowled over by A Chorus Line! It’s such a shame that it’s closing! I cried a lot while watching the show, the cast actually came to watch our matinee on Thursday and they just seem like a lovely, friendly group of people. Watching so many triple threats on one stage is just phenomenal, they can all high kick and sing a top A! I really take my hat off to people who can do things like that because I can’t! I also love Wicked, which goes without saying really, I will never get sick of it. Oh and Once! Oh my god it’s my favourite musical that I’ve seen in years! I actually went to see the show with Mark Evans so I had the perfect evening!
Siobhan performing at Scott Alan Live at the indigO2
What would you like to do next?
A musical movie would be lovely! Anything which involves singing on screen would be perfect! A couple of years ago in an interview somebody asked me what part I would like to play again and I said “I would bang down somebody’s door to play Sally Bowles again”, and then this happened! So if I say now that I would bang down somebody’s door to do a musical movie then perhaps someone will cast me in one! When a show comes up I’ll look at the part and if it’s right for me I’ll audition. There aren’t really any parts at the moment that I have my eye on, I didn’t get a role a couple of weeks ago but I’m in the middle of auditioning for something else at the moment. You never know what’s going to happen in this industry, you never know what is going to present itself and you just have to roll with it... it’s exciting!
Finally, what is it like having so much support behind you from theatre fans?
It means everything, any performer that says otherwise is definitely lying! Putting yourself up on stage and waiting for somebody to tell you whether they liked it or not can be a horrendous thing, and when you have a group of beautiful people who take time out to text or tweet you and say “actually I thought your performance was wonderful” obviously you’re going to feel like a million dollars. All you need to know is that the audiences are enjoying it! I don’t know about other actors, but when I do my curtain call at the end I’m not really listening to or watching the audience, it’s almost like choreography – you take your bow, stand back and then walk off stage. I’ve been told I should absorb it but I can’t because I’m still in performance mode. So then when I go back to my dressing room and see a nice tweet or meet nice people at the Stage Door who give me a congratulations card or something lovely it really brightens my life up! The support that I have from people is just incredible and I appreciate it more than anything.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Click here for further information about the Cabaret UK Tour, tour dates and tickets.
Click here to read our five star review of the production.
Photo Credit 5: Darren Bell
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