Big Interview: Debbie Kurup

Debbie Kurup is currently reprising her performance in The World Goes Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb which is transferring to the St James Studio following its run last year at the Pheasantry.

With the cast also including Oliver Tompsett, Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Alexandra Da Silva and Sally Samad, The World Goes Round runs between 2nd and 7th February 2016. Kander and Ebb are best known for writing musicals such as Cabaret, Chicago, Fosse and The Scottsboro Boys.

Having played Mimi in the West End production of RENT, Debbie recently starred in Seasons of Larson at the Lyric Theatre. Her West End credits also include: Nicki Marron in The Bodyguard (original West End cast), Velma Kelly in Chicago (Cambridge/Adelphi), understudy Deloris in Sister Act (Palladium) and Dee Dee in Tonight’s The Night (Victoria Palace).

A handful of Debbie’s other theatre credits include: title role in Jack And The Beanstalk (Hackney Empire), Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (Sheffield/UK tour), Nancy in Oliver! (Cyprus), Chess In Concert (Royal Albert Hall), Diana in I Love You Because (Landor), Anita in West Side Story (Cyprus), Sylv in East (Leicester Curve), Carmen in Fame (UK tour), Guys And Dolls (Sheffield), Diane in Pal Joey (Chichester) and Jo-Anne in Poison (Tricycle).

Last week I sat down with Debbie during a break from The World Goes Round rehearsals to discuss why she loves performing Kander & Ebb’s music, her memories from starring in the West End production of RENT, dusting off her tap shoes for Anything Goes plus lots more… 

Recently you have been doing so many completely different things – from Whitney Houston to Cole Porter, Jonathan Larson and now Kander and Ebb!

[laughs] …and don’t forget I was climbing a beanstalk in-between!

That kind of variety is madness! What is going on inside your brain right now?

Oh my goodness! I have to say, it has been wonderful. As an actor, you strive to have variety and being cast in so many different contrasting roles. I’m on cloud nine right now! There has been no rest point, I’ve been jumping from one thing to the next. My brain is full, but at the same time it’s firing on all cylinders. It feels really good, I’m very inspired right now.

Debbie Kurup, Krysten Cummings & Damien Flood to star in Seasons of Larson

It has been announced that Debbie Kurup, Krysten Cummings and Damien Flood will star in Seasons of Larson, a one-night-only concert celebrating the life and music of legendary Broadway composer Jonathan Larson. 

The show will take place on Monday 25th January 2016 at the West End's Lyric Theatre. Kurup, Cummings and Flood have all starred in Larson's iconic musical RENT and will reflect on their memories of the musical at the concert. Seasons of Larson will feature Larson's most famous songs as well as lesser known numbers.

Kurup played Mimi in RENT in the West End and on the musical's UK tour. Her theatre credits include playing Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (Sheffield Crucible/UK tour), Nicki Marron in The Bodyguard (Adelphi) and Velmi Kelly in Chicago (Adelphi).

The World Goes Round starring Debbie Kurup & Oliver Tompsett transferring to St James Studio

Following its run at the Pheasantry, The World Goes Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb is transferring to the St James Studio for a limited run between 2nd and 7th February 2016.

Once again the show will star Debbie Kurup (Chicago/The Bodyguard) and Oliver Tompsett (Wicked/We Will Rock You). The cast also includes returning cast members Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Alexandra Da Silva and Sally Samad. Kander and Ebb are best known for writing musicals such as Cabaret, Chicago, Fosse and The Scottsboro Boys.

Further casting announced for Hackney Empire's Jack and the Beanstalk starring Debbie Kurup & Clive Rowe

Further casting has been announced for the Hackney Empire's 2015 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.

As previously announced, the show will star Debbie Kurup as Jack, Clive Rowe as Dame Daisy Trott and Kat B as Snowman. 

Following their 2014 pantomime which was seen by over 50,000 people, Jack and the Beanstalk will run between 21st November 2015 and 3rd January 2016.

Joining Rowe and Kurup and Kat B are: Jocelyn Jee Esien, Tony Timberlake, Julia Sutton, Darren Hart, Lori Barker, Leon Sweeney, Emanuel Alba, Frances Dee, Jonathan Prestney, Katie Shearman, Dale White and Sharon D Clarke as the Voice of Davina. The roles of Molly and the Voice of the Giant are still to be confirmed.

Clive Rowe & Debbie Kurup star in Hackney Empire's pantomime

Clive Rowe is to tread the boards at the Hackney Empire once again starring as Dame Daisy Trott in 2015 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk between 21st November 2015 and 3rd January 2016.

Starring as Jack will be Debbie Kurup (The Bodyguard/Anything Goes). Hackney Empire favourite Kat B will join the pair on stage as Snowman with further casting still to be announced. Jack and the Beanstalk will be written and directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Susie McKenna with music by Steven Edis. 

In true Hackney style the production will feature a break dancing cow, bonkers baddies and the scariest giant ever, outlandish costumes and glittering sets by Lotte Collett, buckets of silliness, tons of audience participation and full-on show stopping songs performed by a kickin’ live band.

Oliver Tompsett & Debbie Kurup to star in The World Goes Round

Oliver Tompsett and Debbie Kurup will star in a revival of The World Goes Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb.

Produced by Speckulation, the show will play for four performances between 5th and 8th July 2015 at the Pheasantry in Chelsea. Kander and Ebb are best known for writing musicals such as Cabaret, Chicago, Fosse and The Scottsboro Boys.

GOSSIP: First casting revealed for new production of Anything Goes

According to the Daily Mail, Debbie Kurup will star in Anything Goes at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

The production runs between 28th November 2014 and 17th January 2015 ahead of a UK Tour which begins at the New Wimbledon Theatre on Thursday 29th January 2015. Kurup will apparently be joined by Matt Rawle, Zoe Rainey, Stephen Matthews, Simon Rouse and Hugh Sachs.

UPDATE: This gossip has been confirmed and full casting has been announced. Click here for info.

The production will be directed by Daniel Evans and choreographed by Alistair David. According to press material, "this brand new production of Cole Porter’s classic, multi-award winning musical comedy transports you to the magical age of tap dancing and high society".

Photo Feature: The Bodyguard celebrates its first birthday

Last night (6th November), the West End production of The Bodyguard celebrated its first Birthday at the Adelphi Theatre. Take a look at pictures from the evening below (click on an image to enlarge).

At the end of the performance, Debbie Kurup, who has played Nicki Marron in the production since its world premiere in December 2012, asked the audience to join in celebrating this milestone as a specially commissioned birthday cake was brought out on to the stage. The cast, led by Beverley Knight and Tristan Gemmill treated the audience to their own rendition of Happy Birthday. After a standing ovation, the company then performed the finale song I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

Review: The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre

The Bodyguard

Adelphi Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 4th December 2012 (Press Performance)

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Warner Bros film, this brand new musical of The Bodyguard, with book by Alex Dinelaris is unmissable. 

“Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a multitude of Whitney Houston’s greatest hits.” 

The show starts with a bang – literally. A loud gunshot caused immediate silence in the audience. The Bodyguard is an exciting show, with a storyline which is more gritty than your stereotypical, cheesy musical.

Full casting announced for The Bodyguard, opening November 2012

Joining the previously announced Heather Headley and Lloyd Owen in the new musical The Bodyguard, to be directed byThea Sharrock, will be Debbie Kurup, Mark Letheren, Ray Shell, Nicolas Colicos, Mark McKerracher, Sean Chapman, David Page and Oliver Le Sueur. They are joined by Luis Buddy, Caius Duncombe, Jaydon Fowora Knight, Kwame Kandekore, Taylor Lockhart and Malakai Paul who will share the role of Fletcher, Rachel Marron's young son. Ensemble members are Nigel Barber, Jordan Darrell, Yasmin Harrison, Shanay Holmes, Holly James, Robert Jezek, Melissa Keyes, Gil Kolirin, Janet Kumah, Nicholas Maude, Richard Murphy, Gloria Onitiri, Ashley-Jordon Packer, Dharmesh Patel, Lucinda Shaw, Paul Smethurst, Charlotte Watts and James Wooldridge.