Lisa Stokke was part of the first class ever to graduate from LIPA, Paul McCartney's Drama School in Liverpool, and only months after doing so she secured her first West End leading role – originating Sophie in Mamma Mia! At the time nobody knew how the show would be received, but the show is currently preparing to celebrate its fifteenth anniversary in the West End and hundreds of actresses all over the world have played the part Lisa created.
Lisa, originally from Norway, left Mamma Mia after a year and has gone on to have a hugely successful and varied career. Her stage credits include: Grace Farrell in Annie (Folketeateret in Oslo), Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre and UK Tour) and Florence in Chess (Bømlo, Norway). She recently provided the Norwegian voiceover for Idina Menzel in the Norwegian language version of the new Disney movie Frozen, playing Elsa.
The star is currently rehearsing for The World Goes ‘Round which opens at the Union Theatre on 15th January. No stranger to working at the Union Theatre, London’s top fringe venue, Lisa has previously appeared as Genevieve in The Baker’s Wife and Emma Goldman in Assassins. Directed by Kirk Jameson, The World Goes ‘Round celebrates the music of Kander and Ebb. The show features music from their most notable work, including songs from Cabaret, Chicago and Kiss of the Spiderwoman.
I recently spoke to Lisa about why she thinks Kander and Ebb’s music is so timeless, how voicing a Disney princess was a dream come true and her dream to return to Mamma Mia as Donna for the shows twentieth anniversary…
First of all we have to discuss Mamma Mia! When you were cast in the original production did you have any idea the show was going to become this long-running global phenomenon?
No! Just before we opened, while all the cast had faith in the show we were so scared that we were going to be the laughing stock of London. Not because we didn’t believe in it, but because London critics can be pretty cruel and Abba were yet to have their big revival. So when we started doing previews and the audiences laughed at stuff we were all like “Oh my god, we’re a comedy!” Seriously, up until then Jenny Galloway (the original Rosie) understood that it was funny whereas I didn’t think Sophie was a funny character. All the people who were playing comedy roles went flying when the audiences started coming in. We were doing new things right up until opening night, everything was changing every minute. None of us could ever, ever have dreamed that fourteen years on Mamma Mia would still be one of the bestselling shows in the world! I’m crossing my fingers that in a few years, for the twentieth anniversary, they’ll let me play Donna – that would be really fun!
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| Lisa as Sophie and Andrew Langtree as Sky in Mamma Mia |
That would be amazing!
Wouldn’t it be funny?! I so hope they’ll do that, but I don’t know. Who knows? It’s up to them but I’m going to throw it out there because I think it would be a brilliant idea. It’s crazy that it’s coming up to the fifteenth anniversary, I have a platinum disc at home on my wall from when we sold a millions records in America. It is just crazy!
What attracted you to The World Goes ‘Round?
Well, first of all I absolutely adore Kander and Ebb’s music! I always have. I’ve been a huge Liza Minnelli fan all my life – I was actually going to be called Liza! I’ve also worked with Kirk (Jameson, Director) before when he was assistant Director on The Baker’s Wife and I’ve seen a lot of his work, he’s very talented. The Union Theatre is like my second home, I just love being here! So the combination of all three, plus the timing was right.
Is it daunting to take on songs that so many people love and know so well?
It’s terrifying! Like you said, people really do love these songs and have a personal relationship with them. It’s impossible to have lived and to not have heard at least one of these songs – regardless of whether you like music or not!
Their connection with Liza must make it even more daunting!
Yes, of course everyone connects Kander and Ebb with Liza Minnelli, they come as a package. But I can’t be Liza Minnelli, it’s impossible. Nobody can… that’s why she is who she is. Liza’s very special and unique so we have had to do something different. I also sound nothing like Liza Minnelli so I’ve had to reinterpret the songs I do. In any case The World Goes ‘Round is slightly different, there are a lot of harmonies. For example with ‘Cabaret’ we’ve had to forget the original version and re-learn it completely as rhythmically it’s very different and in five part harmony which is very difficult! It’s scary and hard to re-learn something you know so well, the biggest challenge has been to forget about Liza!
How does the whole show come together and what can audiences expect?
Kirk’s idea is really charming, but I don’t want to reveal too much because we’re still working on it as we go along. But what I will say is that we’re working terribly hard, both musically and staging-wise trying to put on something which will live up to people’s wishes with the music and surprise them. We’re not trying to be Fosse, we’re not trying to be Liza Minnelli. We’re putting our own spin on things which is a very sensible thing to do!
Kander and Ebb’s music is so classic and so timeless. Can you put your finger on their magic? What do you think makes their music so special?
I think it’s a combination of two things. Their tunes are very catchy and melodic and they write rhythms people can understand and relate to. But also what I love about their music is that every single song tells a story. There is a complete package in each song which is a very rare thing to find these days. They are about real people in real situations in real life without ever becoming cliché. Even when their music is melancholy it is always optimistic which is what I particularly love – it’s never depressing. ‘The World Goes ‘Round’ is a perfect example because the world can be rubbish but you have to keep going.
How do you find performing at the Union? Theatres don’t get any more intimate, do you find that scary or exciting?
I think it’s a bit of both actually, I think as long as you are confident with what you’re doing it’s nice. In some ways it’s comforting that you can see people because you can play off them more easily. The whole thing is very vulnerable as you are so connected with the audience. Obviously if the audience hate your show then it’s not so fun [laughs] and you wish they were far away in the dark. This is my third show at the Union and every time I’ve been here the shows have been terrific. They've been magical!
Lisa and the cast of The World Goes ‘Round
Do you think it’s important that people support the fringe?
I keep telling people who don’t usually go to fringe theatres that some of the best theatre experiences I’ve ever had have been at fringe venues because you’re so close to the action and because you can’t escape – there is nowhere to hide and you have to be honest. You’re not dazzled by set pieces or anything. As scary as that is, as a performer it’s a great test. The other thing about working on a fringe show is that every single person is paid exactly the same, you’re all in the same boat, and it removes all of the whining and the nonsense that can be involved with a big West End production. You don’t get that on the fringe because you become a family. I really don’t like all the drama! I just want to do the show and have a good time!
Everybody needs to experience a fringe production, it’s completely different.
Absolutely! In America there is a huge respect for off-Broadway productions and a big understanding that a show can start there and go somewhere else. But it’s almost like when tourists come to London they don’t realise that it’s the same here!
You recently voiced Elsa in the Norwegian language version of Disney’s movie Frozen, which is the best Disney film I’ve ever seen…
Isn’t it the best Disney film of all time?!
It is everything you could ever want from a Disney movie, plus it’s relevant in 2014! What was the whole experience like for you?
First of all I was asked to audition for Anna which is probably the more logical casting for me, but when I heard that Idina Menzel was voicing Elsa I was like “Umm… can I also please audition for Elsa?” They wouldn’t let me, but after a few weeks they rang me and said “We can’t find anyone to play Elsa, can you come in and audition after all?” So I did, and I hit all the notes and the director told me later that she ran into the office screaming “We’ve found Elsa, we’ve found Elsa!” So the casting process was very exciting and I’m so pleased I fought for it. To do a voice for an Idina Menzel character was pretty fun! It was my first voiceover job and I can truthfully say it was one of the best jobs I have ever done in my life. I had always dreamt of being a Disney princess, as cheesy as that sounds. I’m obsessed with Disney music and have all the soundtracks and know every word of every song off by heart.
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| Elsa in Disney's Frozen |
I recently interview Chris (Buck) and Jennifer (Lee) who directed the movie and they told me about the movie being inspired by Norway, so it must have been particularly special to star in the Norwegian language version.
It really was. I recently went back for the premiere and my children were there, my little girl who is five was dressed as Elsa, and you can clearly see that it’s Norway! To do the Norwegian voiceover for what is basically a Norwegian film was absolutely crazy! It was just amazing!
Imagine you had to go to a desert island and you could only take three musical theatre songs with you… which three would you take?
Oh my goodness! This is a horrible question!
[laughs] I know – I’m sorry!
How could anyone answer that?! They might all have to be Liza Minnelli songs [laughs]. Do I actually have to answer this question?
Yes!
Oh my God. Oh, I’m going to pick… I’m going to pick… ‘New York, New York’ (by Kander and Ebb). I’m also going to take… you’re so mean! Ok I’m going to take ‘I Have Confidence’ from The Sound of Music which I love. My third song is going to be… ‘Meadowlark’!
Well done – usually people take much longer to answer that question!
Honestly – It’s impossible! It’s like trying to pick your favourite person or favourite child!
Finally, throughout your career you have had so much support from theatre fans. What is it like having that support behind you?
It’s invaluable. I mean, let’s face it, this business is cruel and I’m rubbish at auditions and stuff like that so the fact that you have people who like what you do and support you and come to see your shows is amazing and I remember their words when I’m going through a tough time. It really, really helps. It’s fun – you do a show and people turn up! And we get applause at the end of the evening! When you’re working it’s such a great job but when you’re not working it can be very hard and would be even harder if you didn’t have people supporting you.
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
The World Goes ‘Round opens at the Union Theatre of Friday 17th January (previews from 15th January) and runs until Saturday 8th February 2014. Please visit www.uniontheatre.biz for further information and tickets.
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