Marilyn Cutts is playing Mrs Brice in Funny Girl which begins previews at the Menier Chocolate Factory tonight (20th November).
Marking the first time Funny Girl has been staged in London since the original production starring Barbra Streisand, the musical’s run at the Menier sold out within hours, breaking box office records and becoming the theatre's fastest selling production.
Funny Girl, which is directed by Michael Mayer with choreography by Lynne Page, will transfer to the West End’s Savoy Theatre next year. Marilyn stars alongside Sheridan Smith who, in a return to musical theatre, takes on the role of Fanny Brice.
A founding member of Fascinating Aida, most recently Marilyn recreated the role of Madame Morrible in the first UK & Ireland tour of Wicked after starring as Mother Lord in the UK tour of High Society.
Just a few of Marilyn’s extensive theatre credits include: Jack's Mother in Into The Woods (Regent’s Park), Babs Sherwood in Never Forget (Savoy), Armina in Oklahoma! & Teresa in The Rose Tattoo (both National Theatre), Mme de Rosemonde in Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Sadler’s Wells/Japanese tour), Vi Moore in Footloose & Mrs Potts in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (both UK tours), Doormouse and White Queen in Alice In Wonderland (RSC), Mrs Sowerberry in Oliver! (London Palladium/Toronto), Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Tod (Bristol Old Vic) and Show Boat (London Palladium). In addition she appeared in Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of Les Misérables (Working Title).
I recently spoke to Marilyn about why Funny Girl prevented her from retiring, how it feels to be part of such a highly anticipated sold out show and what audiences can expect from this new production…
One of the reasons everybody is so excited about this production is because Funny Girl hasn’t been done in London since 1966. Were you familiar with the show? Had you seen the film?
I had seen the film when I was a kid but that is pretty much it. The show has legendary status because it isn’t done that often – I think the last time was down in Chichester with Samantha Spiro.
So what did you think when you heard it was being produced at the Chocolate Factory? Did you immediately think ‘I want to be part of this’?
Well actually I was thinking of retiring [laughs] and then the offer came through. I had settled myself down happily and signed up to do an open university degree in History because I had been on the road for two and a half years solid touring with High Society and then with Wicked. I needed to spend some time at home because of family commitments, and then this offer came though and I thought ‘That is just perfect’! It’s a wonderful part and means I get to work with Sheridan Smith, who I’ve worked with before but not in a public capacity. It was just too good to say no to! I mean, who wouldn’t want to do it? I couldn’t say “No, but thank you very much for asking!” [laughs].
