Review: See What I Wanna See at the Jermyn Street Theatre

See What I Wanna See 
Jermyn Street Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 11th September 2015
★★★

At long last Michael John LaChiusa’s thought-provoking off-Broadway musical See What I Wanna See has found its way to London! I've had several songs from the show floating around my iPod for years, but knew nothing at all about what the piece is actually about.

Big Interview: Cassie Compton, starring in See What I Wanna See

Cassie Compton is currently starring as Kesa/The Wife/An Actress in the London premiere of See What I Wanna See by Michael John LaChiusa which officially opens at the Jermyn Street Theatre tonight (11th September 2015). 

She follows in the footsteps of Audra McDonald and Idina Menzel who starred in the first two off-Broadway productions. Adam Lenson’s production also stars Jonathan Butterell who choreographed the original off-Broadway productions as well as Marc Elliott, Mark Goldthorp and Sarah Ingram. 

Cassie recently starred opposite Matt Smith as Jean in American Psycho at the Almeida Theatre. She is best known for starring as Nessarose in Wicked (Apollo Victoria) and Eponine in Les Miserables (Queen's).

Her theatre credits also include: Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing (Aldwych), Jemma/Molly in Molly Wobbly (Leicester Square), Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden (Aldwych), Jo March in Little Women (National Tour), Ramona in Whistle Down The Wind (Aldwych), Carmen in Carnival Of The Animals (Riverside Studios), Kate in Spinach (King's Head), Mary Gray in Monkee Business (Manchester Opera House), Rose in The Little Prince (Belfast Lyric) and Lena in Diamond (King's Head).

Cassie entered the first ever series of The X Factor in 2004 and became the youngest contestant to reach the live finals. She has played roles on screen in Mr Selfridge, Call The Midwife, Casualty, Murder Rooms and Love In A Cold Climate.

I recently spoke to Cassie about following in the footsteps of two Broadway icons, See What I Wanna See’s epic score plus how it feels to look back at her experiences in some of the West End’s biggest shows…

Was See What I Wanna See already on your radar before this production popped up?

Not at all! I hadn’t heard any of the score and I didn’t have a clue what it was about! When I was approached I did a bit of research, had a listen and immediately thought ‘This is going to be a challenge… and I have no idea how I am going to approach this!’ That’s why I thought it would be a really good thing to do – I like to make life harder for myself [laughs]. If you’re not pushing yourself then what’s the point?! 

Casting announced for London premiere of See What I Wanna See

Casting has been announced for the London premiere of See What I Wanna See by Michael John LaChiusa.

Jonathan Butterell, who choreographed the original off-Broadway production, will star as The Janitor/The Priest alongside Marc Elliott as The Thief/A Reporter, Cassie Compton as Kesa/The Wife/An Actress, Mark Goldthorp as Morito/The Husband/A CPA and Sarah Ingram as The Medium/Aunt Monica.

Directed by Adam Lenson, the show will open at the Jermyn Street Theatre on 11th September (previews from 8th September) for a limited run to 3rd October 2015.