Rebecca Craven is currently preparing to star as Tracy Turnblad in Paul Kerryson’s all-new production of Hairspray which opens at the Leicester Curve next week.
Hairspray is a musical which needs no introduction. The show first opened on Broadway in 2002 where it won eight Tony Awards out of thirteen nominations and ran for over 2,500 performances before transferring to the West End in 2007. The film adaptation starring John Travolta and Zac Efron was a huge worldwide commercial hit and remains one of the most successful musical movies of all time.
Best known for starring as Rhiannon Salt in BBC1’s Waterloo Road, Hairspray marks Rebecca’s professional musical theatre debut. The actress chats to West End Frame about Hairspray rehearsals, how she’s making such an iconic role her own and what it has been like to receive such tremendous support from fans of Waterloo Road…
How are Hairspray rehearsals going so far? Is the show starting to take shape?
Rehearsals for Hairspray are going really well. The big production numbers are coming together amazingly and the show is looking great! I’m so thrilled to be a part of the cast at Curve and I’m learning so much from the incredibly talented cast every day.
Hairspray is such an iconic show, are you feeling the pressure taking on such a famous role?
Absolutely, the show is so popular. There have been many productions worldwide and obviously the hit film, so there is a lot of pressure. However, during rehearsals I am trying to find ways to put my little stamp on Tracy and bring qualities to her that may not have been done before. I’m trying to make her my own without losing any of the character audiences love.
Zizi Strallen (Penny Pingleton) & Rebecca
How does Paul Kerryson's new production of Hairspray differ to previous productions of the show?
The show has completely new staging, choreography and costumes. It’s a completely fresh new take on the musical. Paul Kerryson is very keen on making this production as real and true to the period and book as possible, without losing any of the fun-loving aspects audiences expect from the show. It’s a new fresh and very exciting production of a well-loved musical.
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| Rebecca & David Witts (Link) |
You are working alongside an incredible cast, what is everyone like to work with? What’s the atmosphere like in the rehearsal room?
The cast are absolutely sensational. I’m so privileged to be in a rehearsal room with them every day and I’m learning so much from them all. The cast are incredibly talented but also lovely sweet people too, we’re all constantly having fun and there’s a lot of laughter.
Hairspray marks your professional musical theatre debut. You’ve done lots of work on screen but have you always wanted to get into musical theatre?
I’ve always wanted to do musical theatre and it’s what I trained in from the age of 16. However, I was lucky enough to leave drama school early to go on Waterloo Road which is an incredible job and took me down a professional avenue, which I now absolutely love as well. I am so thrilled to making my professional musical theatre debut in Hairspray as this role is one I've wanted to play since I was a teenager!
What are your other dream musical theatre roles?
I have so many dream musical theatre roles which I fantasise about playing! Mimi in Rent, Queenie in The Wild Party – the Lippa Version – and Jo in Little Women.
You’re best known for starring as Rhiannon in Waterloo Road. The character couldn’t be more different to Tracy! Have you enjoyed receiving such a huge response since joining the programme?
It is incredible how big the fan base for Waterloo Road is and how supportive they all are. When I first started the show, Rhiannon was a really nasty bully – the complete opposite to Tracy - so the reaction to her at first was fairly negative, but actually to me that was a positive as I knew I’d done my job right as she wasn’t meant to be liked at first. However, over time Rhiannon has grown up and revealed many of her problems showing other sides to her personality and fans are really warming to her.
Damian Williams (Edna Turnblad) & Rebecca
You’ve already had so much support from fans; there was so much excitement when your Hairspray casting was announced! What is it like having so much support behind you?
It has been amazing and also very overwhelming! It’s hard to get to grips with the fact that people you don't know personally are rooting for you and the work you produce. It’s such a wonderful feeling and I can’t thank all the fans of the show enough, for not only being supportive with Waterloo Road but also following other projects the actors are lucky enough to be involved in.
Interview by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Hairspray opens at the Leicester Curve Theatre on Wednesday 5th March (previews from 28th February) and runs until Saturday 5th April 2014.
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
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