Jenny Gayner is currently in the West End production of Chicago at the Garrick understudying the iconic role of Roxie Hart. She has many great theatre credits to her name from Spamalot and A Chorus Line to The Rocky Horror Show and Alan Ayckbourns Relatively Speaking. More recently she has been making the move from stage to screen and hasn't just been working in front of the camera. We catch up with Jenny and talk to her about Chicago closing, her latest film and what her plans are after Chicago closes.
How did you feel when you found out Chicago
was closing?
When the announcement was made in the interval for all departments to meet
on stage after the show everyone started joking that it was p45 time! But I’m
not sure anyone actually believed that it would actually happen. We thought,
maybe, it was a time change for the shows due to the Olympics. However, when
notice was given I remember my reaction so vividly. A loud gasp and my hand
went straight to my forehead. And yes, I did have tears. Chicago have been such
an important part of my life, from touring, to playing The Adelphi, then moving
the The Cambridge. Then leaving for some years for other work and being asked
to return to the most wonderful company. I was, in a nutshell, very sad.
 |
| Jenny as Roxie Hart |
What is it like understudying Roxie Hart, one of the most iconic female roles in the West End?
In a word. Incredible.
For me, Roxie has to be one, if not THE most rewarding, challenging, dynamic, delicious female roles in a musical. I am totally in love with her.
You’ve recently been very busy producing and starring in ‘The Addicted’, how did it all go?
THE ADDICTED has been an incredible success. Our film company RECOIL FILMS, of which I am a co director, producer and casting director has gone from strength to strength. We were at Cannes Film Festival in May where we had 2 films in Short Film Corner as well as several important meetings to gain distribution for THE ADDICTED and invite people to our screening in London. The film is a horror and has already got a global following as it is such a sort after genre. Recently we were delighted to announce that, after our latest screening in Soho, we have sold the film and it will be in cinema’s and shops by around October/November time. I am very proud. As is the whole company.
We begin shooting our next film in January for an even bigger budget and we are lucky to have some fantastic names on board. Watch this space.
 |
| Jenny starring in The Addicted |
How does working on films compare with working on West End shows?
The two, for me, couldn’t be more different. THE ADDICTED was a low budget horror, and therefore that meant that we all doubled up to make the film happen. For example, on the first day of the shoot, a day which I wasn’t shooting any of my scenes, I was 1st AD, stills photographer, wardrobe, runner, caterer, continuity, first aid, keeping those tea’s and coffee’s coming as we shot from 7pm till around 6am, and pretty much everything else in between. This wasn't a surprise, as we had to keep the crew down, but it was pretty full on. The hours where long, we shot throughout the night and all slept in one big barn on blow up mattresses.
Being in a West End show, although as an understudy and swing you have more responsibility, the hours are more human and luckily, no blow up mattresses! Also, of course, it is a different style. Acting on stage is bigger, although that doesn’t mean over the top, whilst acting for screen requires so much less. You have to remember that just a flick of the eyes looks huge on a cinema screen, but might not read to the people sitting at the back of the stalls in a theatre.
Are there any musicals that you would like to be part of in the future?
Yes. I think every actress has one role that they have always had their eyes on. For me, I have always wanted to play Linda in Blood Brothers. A classic. In my showcase (many moons ago!) I played Linda in a scene from Blood brothers as my acting piece and got great feed back from Kenwrights. The script is superb, with Willy Russell being a favourite of mine and the music is wonderful. I think it is a powerful story filled with pathos and is a very intelligent piece.
I have even began to toy with the idea of playing the role of Mrs Johnstone. An incredible part, but one which often goes to a named actress. I also feel I may still be a bit young for her. Another role, and another Willy Russell masterpiece, although not a musical, would be Rita in Educating Rita. Julie Walters portrayal was a masterpiece, hence her Oscar nomination.
So after Chicago finishes what’s next for you? Have you got any other films in the pipeline? We begin filming in January for RECOIL FILMS next production will a much bigger budget following the success of THE ADDICTED. I’m looking forward to working with some really exciting people we already have on board, and finding more talent when casting the other roles.
I have a play in the pipeline and will be auditioning for other productions when the opportunities arise. It’s going to be an exciting year!
You were recently voted second place in West End Frame’s Understudy Of The year, is there anything you would like to say to all the people who supported you? Thank you to everyone who voted for me and for your incredible comments. Your support was phenomenal and completely blew me away. To know that people enjoy what you are doing makes this whole business, especially through the tough times, one of the most rewarding and incredible businesses to be in. I am blessed and exceptionally lucky. Thank you.
The two, for me, couldn’t be more different. THE ADDICTED was a low budget horror, and therefore that meant that we all doubled up to make the film happen. For example, on the first day of the shoot, a day which I wasn’t shooting any of my scenes, I was 1st AD, stills photographer, wardrobe, runner, caterer, continuity, first aid, keeping those tea’s and coffee’s coming as we shot from 7pm till around 6am, and pretty much everything else in between. This wasn't a surprise, as we had to keep the crew down, but it was pretty full on. The hours where long, we shot throughout the night and all slept in one big barn on blow up mattresses.
Being in a West End show, although as an understudy and swing you have more responsibility, the hours are more human and luckily, no blow up mattresses! Also, of course, it is a different style. Acting on stage is bigger, although that doesn’t mean over the top, whilst acting for screen requires so much less. You have to remember that just a flick of the eyes looks huge on a cinema screen, but might not read to the people sitting at the back of the stalls in a theatre.
Are there any musicals that you would like to be part of in the future?
Yes. I think every actress has one role that they have always had their eyes on. For me, I have always wanted to play Linda in Blood Brothers. A classic. In my showcase (many moons ago!) I played Linda in a scene from Blood brothers as my acting piece and got great feed back from Kenwrights. The script is superb, with Willy Russell being a favourite of mine and the music is wonderful. I think it is a powerful story filled with pathos and is a very intelligent piece.
I have even began to toy with the idea of playing the role of Mrs Johnstone. An incredible part, but one which often goes to a named actress. I also feel I may still be a bit young for her. Another role, and another Willy Russell masterpiece, although not a musical, would be Rita in Educating Rita. Julie Walters portrayal was a masterpiece, hence her Oscar nomination.
So after Chicago finishes what’s next for you? Have you got any other films in the pipeline? We begin filming in January for RECOIL FILMS next production will a much bigger budget following the success of THE ADDICTED. I’m looking forward to working with some really exciting people we already have on board, and finding more talent when casting the other roles.
I have a play in the pipeline and will be auditioning for other productions when the opportunities arise. It’s going to be an exciting year!
You were recently voted second place in West End Frame’s Understudy Of The year, is there anything you would like to say to all the people who supported you? Thank you to everyone who voted for me and for your incredible comments. Your support was phenomenal and completely blew me away. To know that people enjoy what you are doing makes this whole business, especially through the tough times, one of the most rewarding and incredible businesses to be in. I am blessed and exceptionally lucky. Thank you.
-----
You can follow Jenny on Twitter: @jennygayner
Check out Jenny's website www.jennygayner.com to find out more about her
Click here to view Jenny's 2012 showreel
You can follow Jenny on Twitter: @jennygayner
Check out Jenny's website www.jennygayner.com to find out more about her
Click here to view Jenny's 2012 showreel
To find out more about Jenny's film company visit www.recoil-films.com
Visit www.theaddictedmovieuk.com to find out more about Jenny's film 'The Addicted'.
And finally make sure you check out the trailer of 'The Addicted' below!
No comments:
Post a Comment