Spamalot Week: Interview: Anna-Jane Casey, currently playing The Lady Of The Lake

Anna-Jane Casey has been performing professionally for 29 years in all areas of TV, theatre and music. Her West End credits include Cats, Children of Eden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Out of the Blue, Grease, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Chicago, My One and Only and On Your Toes.

Most recently Anna-Jane was seen playing Jenny in Company at the Sheffield Crucible and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls at Cadogan Hall.

Earlier this month I was asked to make a small cameo appearance in a performance of Spamalot. Before the show I caught up with Anna-Jane. 

Are you enjoying your time in Spamalot? 
I'm having a brilliant time! The production sits so beautifully in the Playhouse Theatre. Spamalot had toured all over – in big theatres and small theatres, but this one is just perfect. Everyone who’s come has said how well the shows works here. 

Why do you think Spamalot continues to be so popular with audiences? 
You arrive and literally just laugh for two hours. We get a lot of Americans in the audience who always love it and say "Oh my God, it’s so brilliant and so British!". I love the fact that such a British show can appeal to such a wide audience. 

Spamalot Week: My West End Debut... (Part 2)

This is part two of this article. Please click to to read part one.

I was taken up to the wings and gradually the cast arrived, all of whom were almost unrecognisable in their costumes. I couldn't believe how calm everyone was. I had always presumed backstage of a West End theatre would be a mad and manic place to be. Everyone was wishing me luck which helped to keep my nerves at bay.

Suddenly the show started. I could just about see what was going on from the wings, it was very bizarre watching a show from off stage! Especially when one minute I was casually chatting to someone and then they suddenly burst on stage in character. Eventually I began to relax and enjoy the show but then it hit me what I was about to do. My knees became wobbly and I felt sick with nerves.

But before I had much time to dwell on it someone grabbed me (I was so nervous that I can’t even remember who) and told me my scene was next. I got ready, heard my queue line, walked on stage, did my head movements, said my word (which I remembered) and ran off. It was all over!!! As I ran off I heard a big laugh from the audience. I was buzzing which made me realise why actors put themselves through all that immense stress.

Spamalot Week: Interview: Stephen Tompkinson, currently playing King Arthur

Stephen Tompkinson is currently playing  King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot at The Playhouse Theatre. The show marks Stephen's musical theatre debut.

As one of the country’s most popular actors for over 20 years, Stephen has appeared on stage in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Arsenic and Old Lace, Rattle of a Simple Man, Art and The Revengers Tragedy, while his TV roles have included Drop The Dead Donkey, Ballykissangel, Wild At Heart and DCI Banks.

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to make a small cameo appearance in a performance of Spamalot. Before the show I popped into Stephen's dressing room to talk all things Spamalot, alternate career paths and advice for aspiring actors...

Are you enjoying your time in Spamalot?

Absolutely loving it! It’s great! I saw the original version when it was a big Broadway musical which, because of the size of it, kept the audience at arm's length. This new production has returned to Spamalot’s roots in the way that the Pythons would have performed with lots of quick changes and silly voices which make the audience feel much more involved. The show has been reclaimed for a British audience with topical references and so on. The show works so well in the Playhouse Theatre, the band are in the pit which makes a massive difference – in other productions they’ve been up in the wings - it’s more traditional this way. 

Spamalot Week: My West End Debut... (Part 1)

Since launching West End Frame nearly a year ago I have had the opportunity to do some amazing things but back in November, when I received an email inviting me to play a walk on part in the West End production of Spamalot, I really did have to read the email a few times for it to sink in.

Time flew by and before I knew it I was arriving at the stage door of the glorious Playhouse Theatre feeling slightly terrified. As I was taken backstage I was greeted by Stephen Tompkinson, who plays King Arthur in the show. He reassured me that I had nothing to worry about. I nipped into costume for a quick fitting before being whisked onto the stage a few minutes before the cast arrived for their warm up. 

It was so strange looking out into the empty theatre which suddenly seemed huge. Last time I was there it was for Spamalot's glamorous press night and I suddenly realised how easy my job is. The cast gradually arrived for their physical and vocal warm up, I felt exhausted just watching. Everyone was so welcoming which really helped to calm my nerves.

Then I was greeted by Musical Director Gareth Weedon. Although he was busy giving the cast notes ahead of the performance he found time for a quick photoshoot in the wings (you can see all the behind the scenes photos on Friday).

Spamalot Week

Welcome to West End Frame's Spamalot week! Beginning today (Monday 21st January 2013) we will be publishing a special Spamalot feature each day.

In the meantime, make sure you have a read our recent 4* review of Spamalot and check out our amazing Spamalot ticket offer - top price seats reduced to only £39.50! (Offer valid Monday to Friday (add £2.00 on Saturday performances) and discount excludes 16th February to 23th February 2013. Valid until 13th April 2013).