Big Interview: Lizzy Connolly, starring in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Lizzy Connolly is currently starring as Jolene Oakes in the West End premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre. Marking her West End debut, Lizzy is working alongside an all-star cast in Jerry Mitchell’s production, including Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound, Samantha Bond, John Marquez and Katherine Kingsley

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is the inaugural production for Jerry Mitchell Productions. The show is based on the legendary 1988 film which famously starred Michael Caine and Steve Martin. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005 but has since been reconceived and reimagined for British audiences.

Lizzy’s theatre credits include: WAG The Musical (Charing Cross Theatre), Jill in From Up Here (Tristan Bates Theatre) and The Boys From Syracuse (Union Theatre). I recently went backstage at the Savoy Theatre to speak to Lizzy about why she’s having the time of her life in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels… 

It sounds like you’re having an amazing time, what has the experience been like so far?

I feel like I’m in an unbelievably lucky position because of the people I’m working with! It is like a dream come true! Working with Jerry Mitchell was just out of this world because his vibe and energy really makes you feel like you’re part of something special. He lifts the whole cast and creates such a buzz which is infectious. 

Have you had a chance yet to actually digest everything that has happened… or has it been a whirlwind?

It has been a complete whirlwind! I don’t know where I am or whether I’m coming or going! I’m just enjoying the energy and playing Jolene.

Your role is amazing; she comes in and takes over. How do you feel just before you’re about to burst on stage as Jolene?

I’ve just come out of a quick change (Lizzy also appears in the ensemble) so I’m always pumped. I’ve just finished playing a maid so I have my stockings whacked off and my wig whacked on and then I just burst on stage. To be honest I find it much less nerve wracking playing someone else, I’m far more nervous about doing this interview right now than I ever am on stage!

Don’t be nervous!

No honestly, I’m terrible at being myself and far better at being someone else!

How did you find auditioning?

Terrifying because I wanted this one so badly! Auditions come and go but sometimes you have one and it’s like “oh my god I really want this job! Please let me get this one!” You hope you’re ticking all the right boxes!

Katherine Kingsley & the cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

What’s life like backstage here at the Savoy Theatre?

My girls in my dressing room are amazing; they keep me on the straight and narrow! We have so much fun. I’m the newbie, this is my West End debut and they are all very experienced! It was so funny, one day I got my eyelash stuck to the bottom of my eye at beginners… it was literally a nightmare and they were all helping me to peel it off – they hold me together! Before I went on for opening night they were all so wonderful!

Do Robert (Lindsay) and Rufus (Hound) misbehave on stage?

They are cheeky! Rufus is slightly different every night and, as Jolene, I have to be completely mortified. The things they do are unbelievably funny and I have a ball being onstage with them. Sam (Samantha Bond) is wonderful and Katherine (Kingsley) is like a big sister to me. I was a big fan of hers before and she has totally taken me under her wing and said lovely, supportive things to me that mean so much! John (Marquez) is like a funny big brother, he’s always mucking around and being really silly. 

What can someone who knows nothing about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels expect?

I want people to absolutely laugh so much a bit of wee comes out! There are constantly surprises, the story is unpredictable, the ensemble are incredible and the leads still even make me laugh [laughs]! It’s pure escapism!

Can you put your finger on what it is about Jerry Mitchell that makes him and his work so incredibly inspiring?

Oh… my… god – Jerry Mitchell is god! He’s a genius! There’s an aura about him that makes you want to do so well for him; you want to really attain what he wants and capture the essence he has in mind. He lets you use what you bring to it and he never makes you feel negative – everything is always positive. He’s such a wonderful director, choreographer and person. I could talk for three hours about how amazing Jerry Mitchell is! He gave me this opportunity and believed in me to do this great bit with all these great people who are names and who am I?! I’ve just graduated so they took a risk and thank god it’s gone down well [laughs]! 

Samantha Bond & John Marquez

Right, so imagine you had to go to a desert island…

Oh my god, I read West End Frame all the time and always read this question so know what’s coming… right, let’s do it!

…which three musical theatre songs would you take with you?

I thought about this before but I’ve just changed my mind! First I would take ‘The History of Wrong Guys’ from Kinky Boots which is an amazing Jerry Mitchell musical! I often listen to it on the treadmill!

I always say that the Kinky Boots album makes me want to go jogging! 

I know! I can run around on the beach on my desert island listening to it! What else? Hmmm, ‘The Movie in My Mind’ from Miss Saigon because it’s just beautiful and if you ever needed a little cry on a desert island it would be perfect! Actually I could cry now just thinking about it [laughs]! Finally… ahh… I like old school musicals as well! Can I choose… ahh! Maybe ‘Always True to You in My Fashion’ from Kiss Me Kate or ‘Wonderful, Wonderful Day’ from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers because I used to listen to that at my nanny’s house and watch it on VHS! Actually neither of them, I’m picking ‘I Think I Got You Beat’ from Shrek, but it has to be Sutton Foster’s version… or Alice Fearn’s!

Good three!

What would you take?! You have to answer!

‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked…

Of course! It’s such a must have! Why didn’t I take that? I would be belting out those top notes! Ok what’s next?

‘One Second and a Million Miles’ from The Bridges of Madison County because it is ridiculously powerful; Jason Robert Brown is a genius! Everybody needs to download the cast album, I have it on repeat at the moment!

Oh god, I’m a musical theatre geek so trust me I’m going to download it!

And my last one… hmm my third choice constantly changes… I can see Sheridan Smith staring at me (we’re in the company manager’s office with a big Legally Blonde poster) so perhaps I would have to take something from Legally Blonde with me…

I bloody love her! What song would you pick though? ‘So Much Better’?

Robert Lindsay & the cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Hmm I’m thinking ‘What You Want’…

I do like that one! It has lots of elements! I like songs where you can do all the different voices!

Actually no, my last choice is going to be ‘Nothing’ from A Chorus Line because, for some reason, it’s constantly stuck in my head and I absolutely adore the show!

Love it!

Anyway, if I was a theatre producer and could bring anything back or turn anything into a musical and cast you in any role what would you want me to do?

Ahhh – dream roles! Right! Well if you’re making something I would love to play Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones the Musical! Sheridan Smith has apparently dropped out so they need somebody! Also in Bullets over Broadway there is currently a fantastic girl, Heléne Yorke, who plays a character called Olive. I haven’t even heard the soundtrack yet, but I’ve seen the trailer and seen the clips of her and just think she’s brilliant. I think that part would be right up my street. I would also love to do anything Sutton Foster’s done! And I want to play Calamity Jane!

That’s a good one! A few people have said that recently!

Oh no, I take it back then! I don’t want to fight anyone for a role [laughs]! 

It must be amazing to have so much support behind you and the show?

It’s unbelievable! People I’ve idolised have sent me some really nice messages and it’s just so nice! The support for this show is amazing, it already has a fanbase. People come and see it, maybe because of the stars, not knowing much about it and realise David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane are bloody brilliant writers who have made such a great musical! Luckily it’s also gone down really well with fans of the film! I’m having such a wonderful experience and I never want it to end! I’m just really happy, isn’t it nice to be happy?!

Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is currently booking at the Savoy Theatre until Saturday 7th March 2015. Please visit www.scoundrelswestend.com for further information and tickets.

Read our interviews with Robert Lindsay & Rufus Hound, Jerry Mitchell & Katherine Kingsley and Samantha Bond & John Marquez

Photo Credit 2,3&4: Johan Persson

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