Friday 23 September 2016
In Conversation with... Victoria Hamilton-Barritt | Murder Ballad | Interview
Rewrite This Story recently caught up with the wonderfully talented Victoria Hamilton-Barritt whos had a fabulous career from Gypsy and Saturday Night Fever to In The Heights most recently. Victoria told us all about her upcoming musical Murder Ballad, her career so far and her advice for aspiring performers...
You've had a fantastic career that many performers would dream of. What have your highlights been?
Paul Kerryson cast me in Gypsy at Curve Theatre playing Louise/Gypsy and I had an absolute ball in that role. Finally I was playing a role that had so many layers with an epic journey. Paul gave me the greatest opportunity with that show and I absorbed every drop of that incredible production. Another highlight close to my heart is creating the role of Daniela for the London run of In The Heights, Southwark Playhouse and Kings Cross Theatre. I had the best time in that role and changing it up a for a London audience.
Was being a performer what you always dreamt of or did you have a different career path in mind when you were younger?
I worked in London Zoo when I was younger and was told if I stayed on I would one day be made a zoo keeper. I absolutely love wildlife so I know that's where I would have ended up otherwise.
You went from A Chorus Line to In The Heights, both of which received amazing audience reactions. How was it to be a part of that? Both shows must have felt like a true family!
I've never felt family in a show to the degree of what In The Heights delivered. What a special place. We all shared an obsession for the show which was heartbreaking when I left.
A Chorus Line was tricky because there were no interval and we were on stage for a solid 3 hours. The cast were so lovely but because of this obstacle we never fully got to know each other in that 8 month period. Talented writing in the sense where it's an audition and keeping distance. Clever.
Both Diana and Daniela are kickass characters; how do you bring so much sass on stage? Do you have any diva inspirations?
I was always Inspired by Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French. Ruby Wax and all women who make you laugh whether it be with an aggressive undertone or just damn right silly.
So last time you were performing you were heavily pregnant (how did you manage to still dance in heels!?) Since then you’ve had a beautiful baby (congratulations!) Has this changed the way you approach material?
Thank you! She is gorgeous and has made my life. I would have had a harder pregnancy had I not been in a show. It's better to just get on with things and do what makes you happy. Pregnancy was tough for me as I got so big where I looked full term at 4 months so come 8 months I looked like I was going to pop which caused discomfort for audience members who new I was pregnant for real. People really didn't believe I was pregnant though, where there were a lot of gasping at stage door. Some critics thought it a character choice... honestly.
You’ve gone from the Palladium to the Southwark Playhouse to the Kings Cross Theatre and now you’re going to perform at the Arts Theatre. These venues couldn’t be more different. Do you prefer the bigger theatres or the more intimate settings?
I love intimate spaces where you can see every expression and subtle choice. Small venues grant that, which always makes the connection with the audience more connected.
Can you explain a little about Murder Ballad and how your character fits into it?
I'm the narrator of the show which shares a story of a love triangle which gets complicated and things go wrong. Very wrong. That's all I will say for now. 😉
Can you describe it in 5 words?
love, lust, betrayal, sexy, oops.
Your talent and career make you an inspiration for many people hoping to get into musical theatre, whats your best piece of advice for an aspiring performer?
Work hard but don't take yourself too seriously. If it doesn't make you happy find the right time to stop. If you'd like to pick it up again do so when it feels right for you. You're enough and they're lucky to have you in their room.
Interview by Olivia Mitchell, Editor
Read an interview with Victoria's Murder Ballad co-star Kerry Ellis
Monday 19 September 2016
This Little Life of Mine, Park Theatre | Press Launch
Last Thursday on September 15th members of the press were invited to the launch for what promises to be an exciting, new contemporary musical drama following the story of a modern couple in London as they face all the ups and downs of life.
We got to hear a selection of songs from the show and although the cast have only been rehearsing for a short time they were incredibly polished. The songs are catchy and contemporary and I can definitely see them becoming staples on musical theatre fans playlists. Hey Prince Charming was a personal favourite- its been in my head since Thursday so its definitely catchy!
Set against an instantly recognisable backdrop
of eye-watering house prices, unreliable dating apps and over-friendly coffee
baristas, This Little Life of Mine looks at what happens when we can’t
have everything that we want.
This Little Life of
Mine is
produced by Stage Traffic Productions a newly formed
theatre company set up by Michael Yale (Book and Director) and Eilene Davidson
(Producer) focussed on what live
performance does well- engaging and enthralling audiences.
The cast is comprised of only four extremely talented people: Greg Barnett, Kate Batter, Caroline Deverill and James Robinson who between them have incredible credits and are sure to be sublime in this show.
The show is choreographed by Tracy Allsop, with set and costume design by Zahra Mansouri and video artisty by Jack Henry. The music is written by Charlie Round-Turner and musical direction is by Thomas Dunchan.
This is certainly one of my most anticipated shows and I can't wait to see how the storyline plays out. This promises to be an honest, quirky, current musical, relatable for anyone who is trying to navigate the crazy world we're living in!
This Little Life of Mine will run at the Park Theatre from October 4th to October 29th.
Read my review of the show: http://www.rewritethisstory.com/2016/10/review-this-little-life-of-mine-at-park.html
Saturday 17 September 2016
Something Wonderful, Royal Festival Hall | Review
Something Wonderful
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
Reviewed on Thursday 15th September 2016 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Last night the Royal Festival Hall played host to a wonderful exploration and celebration of the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein in a fabulous one of concert featuring some of the West Ends best performers. Emma Kingston, Louise Dearman, Michael Xavier and Ryan O'Gorman fabulously performed songs from one of the best musical theatre partnerships of all time, treating us to some of their well known songs as well as some hidden gems.
Tuesday 13 September 2016
An American in Paris, Dominion Theatre | Press Launch
 |
| photograph by Angela Sterling |
Yesterday I was lucky enough to go to the press launch for An American in Paris with some wonderful people from the Theatre Bloggers community. Aside from sipping champagne and indulging in delicious nibbles we were also treated to an exclusive presentation hosted by Darcey Bussell and her close friend and choreographer/director of the show Christopher Wheeldon.
Darcey and Christopher explained a little about what is going to be a wonderful show with some clips of the Broadway production just to wet our appetites. Some of the cast members were at the event and their talent is undeniable. We got a little sneak peek performance of the show with a fabulous rendition of 'S wonderful performed by Haydn Oakley, David Seadon-Young, Ashley Day and Zoe Rainey. If that was anything to go by, the show is going to be out of this world.
 |
Christopher and Darcey spoke extensively about the skill of the cast they have found for what promises to be a fabulous West End production of a classic musical. These performers are not only extremely talented singers, actors and dancers but they also have to be incredibly skilled ballerina's. Especially in the case of the leading lady Milo Davenport played by Zoe Rainey who has to have all the usual triple threat talents plus be able to dance en pointe! It's tiring just thinking about it! |
Although this launch was just a small taster for what the show will be, if the clips we saw and the Broadway production are anything to go by then this is sure to be a huge hit!
Performances of An American in Paris begin March 4th.
A huge thank you to Theatre Bloggers for taking me along to this event If you want to become a part of the theatre bloggers community check out the website: www.theatrebloggers.co.uk
Thursday 8 September 2016
Vanities, Trafalgar Studios | Review
Vanities: The Musical
Trafalgar Studios
Reviewed on Wednesday 7th August 2016 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Vanities is a musical adaptation of Jack Heifner's play with a script by Heifner himself and lyrics/music by David Kirshenbaum. Its London premiere at Trafalgar Studios is certainly a triumphant one, with radiant performances from all three ladies and extremely catchy and refreshing music. Set in the 70s one would assume the themes of the musical could be dated but in fact the plight for happiness, friendship and success are just as prevalent now.
Tuesday 6 September 2016
A Thank You to the In The Heights Cast
Hello stagey friends! This is more of a personal post but I thought I'd share it anyway. You guys know by now how in love I am with 'In The Heights' (see posts about it here, here, here and here) and with it just being cast change I'm feeling very sentimental about it so I wanted to share some love for the show and cast.
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