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!”
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