Big Interview: Sophie Linder-Lee

Sophie Linder-Lee is currently starring as Columbia in the UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show.

Sophie first played the role when Rocky Horror played a limited engagement last year at the West End’s Playhouse Theatre. 

She shared the stage with the show's creator Richard O’Brien as well as Rocky Horror legends including David Bedella, Ben Forster and Haley Flaherty with a gala performance being broadcast to cinemas and topping the UK cinema box office.

Later this month on 27th March Sophie will play a solo show at Above The Arts to perform original material as well as musical theatre classics with special guests Daniel Hope and Sam Lupton. 

Sophie finished as a runner-up in West End Frame's 2015 Understudy of the Year Award for standing by as Glinda in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Sophie was originally a swing in the show before taking over as stand by Glinda. 

Her theatre credits also include: understudy Lisa in Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales), Silence! The Musical (Barons Court), Apollo Victoria Theatre's 80th Anniversary Gala (Apollo Victoria), lead vocalist on P&O Cruises (Stadium Theatre Company) and Broadway’s Spirit of Christmas (U.S. tour).

I recently spoke to Sophie about her whirlwind experience with The Rocky Horror Show, what people can expect from her solo show and why playing Glinda for the first time was one of the biggest nights of her life, plus much more…

How did you react when you found out that your first time playing Columbia would be in the West End with a bunch of Rocky Horror legends plus the show’s creator?!

It was actually kept a secret for quite a long time. I had been cast as Columbia in the UK tour, and then was told that I had been asked to do an important anniversary which was going to go into cinemas… but I wasn’t allowed to be told what it was! I trust my agent dearly, but whilst I was waiting my fingernails were down to the bone [laughs]. Even though I knew I had got the tour I hadn’t put two and two together. Then eventually I got the phone call saying I was doing the Rocky Horror anniversary with all these amazing people and I said, “Oh my god! Are you sure they want me?! Almost everyone else has already done it, but I’ve never been in the show before!” I was absolutely thrilled. Luckily Wicked were amazing and let me go early – everything aligned and it all worked out.

Sophie Linder-Lee to play solo concert in March

It has been announced West End actress Sophie Linder-Lee will play a solo cabaret at Above The Arts Theatre on Sunday 27th March 2016 at 7.30pm.

Marking the first show of the 2016 'Sunday in The Arts with...' season, the show will have musical direction from Ben Van Tienen with special guests to be announced.

Linder-Lee is currently starring as Columbia in the UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show, a role she played in the West End last year at the Playhouse Theatre. She finished as a runner-up in West End Frame's 2015 Understudy of the Year Award for standing by as Glinda in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Kay Murphy, Matthew Croke & Sophie Linder-Lee set for 'We Are Stagey Like That'

Marking the final Sunday In The Arts With... of 2015, this Sunday (29th November) Anthony Williamson and Emma Ralston will present and star in We Are Stagey Like That at Above The Arts Theatre. 

The concert will celebrate "the best of what has been a hilariously stagey year". Performing alongside Williamson and Ralston will be Kay Murphy (Xanadu/Matilda), Matthew Croke (Funny Girl/Wicked) and Sophie Linder-Lee (Rocky Horror/Wicked).

West End Switched Off returns with Rebecca Trehearn, Sophie Linder-Lee & Jodie Steele

West End Switched Off is returning to the St James Studio with a concert on Sunday 24th May 2015. Performers include Rebecca Trehearn (City of Angels / Ghost The Musical), Sophie Linder-Lee (Wicked / Mamma Mia) and Jodie Steele (Jesus Christ Superstar / Fame). 

Joining the line-up are: Jodie Jacobs (Rock Of Ages), Sam Lupton (Wicked), Gloria Onitiri (The Bodyguard) and Katie Paine (We Will Rock You).

Review: West End Switched Off Album Launch at the St James Studio

West End Switched Off Album Launch 

St James Studio

Reviewed on Sunday 27th April 2014

What a difference eight months can make! When last I reviewed West End Switched Off back in September last year, Parallel Productions was launching this concept aboard the Battersea Barge. Fast forward to last night at the St James' Studio and the sold-out launch of the first album in a planned series of releases. The concert was made up of songs from the new album and other fresh, unorthodox arrangements of musical theatre material: both standards and more unusual Broadway material.

Rebecca Trehearn & Simon Bailey join West End Switched Off album launch

It has been announced that Rebecca Trehearn (Ghost, pictured right) and Simon Bailey (I Can't Sing) will perform at the album launch of West End Switched Off at the St James Studio on Sunday 27th April at 6.30pm.

Press material states that audiences will be given "the chance to have an up-close and personal experience of some of the never before heard tracks on the album before the official release." 

Trehearn and Bailey join Alice Fearn (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Sophie Linder-Lee (Wicked), Emma Hatton (We Will Rock You), Chlöe Hart (Hairspray), Adrian Hansel (Hairspray), Dean John-Wilson (Sister Act) and Dale Evans (From Here To Eternity), as well as Jordan Lee Davies (Molly Wobbly), Tori Allen-Martin (Hair), Thomas Sutcliffe (Wicked) and Ambra Caserotti (Streets). 

Line-up announced for Songbirds... ‘Heart And Soul’

The full line-up has been announced for the second Songbirds... ‘Heart And Soul’ charity concert. The event takes place on-board Battersea Barge on Sunday 23rd February 2014 at 7.30pm (doors open at 6.45pm). 

 

Emma Hatton, Jodie Jacobs & Katie Paine

The all female line-up, featuring the West End’s most exciting female vocal talent, will deliver a night of soul with proceeds being donated to the British Heart Foundation. Songbirds star and organiser, Emma Hatton (current Standby Elphaba in Wicked), is also running the London Marathon for the charity in April.