An Interview with Scaramouche and the end of 'We Will Rock You!'

copyright image - visitlondon.com

Today marks the end of an era for a particular show on the West End. We Will Rock You (WWRY) recently had it's 12th anniversary, an achievement in modern times when 'new' material is rarely well received. In fact when it debuted on the 12th of May 2002 at the Dominion Theatre the show was met with fairly negative reviews, the Guardian stating it "really is as sixth form as it sounds". The show, which was created by Ben Elton, Brian May and Roger Taylor, has really stood the test of time when compared to the recent demise of 'I Can't Sing' which lasted just over six weeks. Most famously 'Les Mis' was initially met with less then positive reviews so there is proof out there that some musicals can defy the critics.

With the closure yesterday of the Jesus Christ Superstar tour (with the cast being given their two week notice) there are definite questions that need to be asked about the future of theatre in England, and of course further afield. Equity has come out on Twitter calling for a discussion and revision of the 'two week rule' which I honestly don't think is fair. If you think that the vast majority of people in other types of work are usually given a months notice when their employment is to end, performers really do have the short end of the stick. The argument against having it any longer is that people working in theatre know the 'rules of engagement' and make a  conscience choice to work in these conditions. However I'm personally in favour of doubling the notice period to four weeks to a) fall in line with other types of work and b) give those who work in entertainment more security.

I'm hoping to have a chat very soon with Annemarie Lewis Thomas from the Musical Theatre Academy about the future of theatre and the responsibilities of varying organisations to produce and encourage 'new theatre'. I, myself have an original short play debuting at the Camden Fringe Festival and the wave of positivity and enthusiasm has been a joy to hear. Maybe the future of theatre lies in the fringe festivals and in 'local theatre' to build up a fanbase of regular theatre-goers, who in turn will be urged to see some of the bigger productions. This is a topic for a post all in itself and I'll happily address it at some point soon, but it is interesting how the 'theatre family' as a whole are linked. It may be worth noting that as shows in the West End close due to dwindling houses, the same can be said of theatre all the way down to 'am-dram' level. More frequently I hear about local groups suffering financial hardship and more fund raising funds being required to fund their two musicals a year. Maybe Equity are right and that the whole system needs to be addressed and looked into from the very top to the grassroots where many aspiring young (and old) performers first take those tender steps.. 

Back to We Will Rock You and I've been granted the good luck to have an interview with Sabrina Aloueche, who played the part of Scaramouche for an extensive period of time. With WWRY closing today I wanted the chance to ask one of it's former cast members her thoughts of it's closure, what's next for the production and a few questions that many budding theatre students always want to ask stars of the West End.

image from westendframe.com

Chris: Thank you so very much for agreeing to do a interview for my blog 'Theatre Thoughts'. I'm as sad as anyone that We Will Rock You is closing after so many years on the West End being a avid theatre-goer when I'm not performing/directing myself. Back to the very beginning though, when did you decide that musical theatre would be your career?

Sabrina: I think its something I've always known.. i can't pinpoint a time in my life where i decided on musical theatre, its just always been there.

Chris: What do you think were the biggest lessons you took away from your time at Sylvia Young and Mountview?

Sabrina: Stay real, keep your identity as true as possible (you'll be needing it!). don't compromise what you love for what is easier.

Chris: One doesn't simply walk into any part, be it on the West End or at local theatre level, what have been the biggest challenges you've had to overcome?

Sabrina: in all honesty my biggest challenge is a current one. when you've had a certain amount of success at such an early point in your career... it's a hard slog to maintain! its challenging at the moment especially with the show closures but as performers we get to do what we love, its not special if just anyone could have it, so I remind myself to stay focussed on my goals and to keep honing and working hard!

Chris: From the various casts and production teams you've worked with, who has had the biggest influence on you and why?

Sabrina: They've all influenced me in different ways.. I've had good nudges and not so good nudges along the way, and both shape you!

Chris: Out of theatre, I take it you've had a lot of support from friends and family?

Sabrina: I've a ton of support that I promise you even today I'm blown away by! Family and friends mean everything to me, and I simply wouldn't have managed at times in this career without them.

Chris: Everyone always asks this question but.. What would you say to any aspiring performers out there thinking of trying to make it in the industry?

Sabrina: Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut!! Ok, in all seriousness though.. Auditions - be as prepared as you can be, make no excuses for your lack of preparation- there are none if you want something that badly. Cancel and continue the second the audition is done! Keep focused on your own path, others journeys may seem appealing and more successful than your own, but we all have our own path to forge, stick to it. Hone! Hone! Hone!

 

Chris: Back to We Will Rock You, what have been your fondest memories of your time as Scaramouche?

Sabrina: The Show must go on with Brian May and Roger Taylor. Ricardo Afonso (Galileo) once sang the whole song and the cast sang the bv's and it was just the most incredible moment of my life. at one point a light came in from an exit door front of house that caught my eye for a second.. and i could see an old man in the audience.. his expression as he watched us all... literally never left me!

Chris: Lastly, what does the future hold for you and do you think this is the last we'll see of WWRY on the West End?

Sabrina: I don't know what's next for me, there are a millions possibilities! I know which shows I love, which are coming in and which I'll work my tush off for and the rest is in the hands of the Gods! And do I think this is the last we'll see of WWRY in the West End? Ever? Nahhhhhhh!

 



copyright - brendaemusic.com

I'd like to thank Sabrina for taking the time to answer my questions and if anyone would like to get in touch please find our Facebook and Twitter links in the buttons in the right sidebar. Thanks for reading and feel free to comment on the issues discussed!

Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is one of my favourite reads. It's dark, gothic and is bubbling with hidden messages and meanings from the start. It also happens to be the next play we're set to perform after the Camden Fringe Festival has concluded at the end of August.

I've got the fun job of adapting the novel to play-form and directing the piece. I can't wait. I'm currently assembling a cast of talented actors/actresses to bring the characters to life and with rehearsals set to start in June the excitement is starting to build.

So many things are screaming for my attention at the moment from day to day life, social media engagement, directing my first original piece 'Three Blinks For...' which is debuting at the Camden Fringe and a million other things which have currently escaped me.

We've secured the theatre we're using for the play and a recent meeting with Nick and Becky who manage and run the venue has filled us with optimism for the future. As a new vibrant theatre company it is really important to build up awareness whilst staying true to our founding values.

These were quite simple, after all if you go too complex we're bound to flounder. We wanted to bring accessible theatre to the public as an option of having to go with a big city and pay the associated costs. As I mentioned we're hitting London ourselves in a few months but we're also looking at a kaleidoscope of other venues both near and far. With this goal we wanted to help raise funds/awareness of local charities or community groups in the areas we go to perform in. The power of social media is such that once people or organisations have 'x' followers or 'likes' then the messages they want to shout about can be heard much louder and have a great resonance with the social pool.

Lastly we wanted to develop talent. Half our cast in the debut production of 'A Doll's House' had never graced a stage before and this provides a refreshing compliment to those of us with more experience and stage time. The blend is quite energising as the 'new comers' arrived to each rehearsal with so much gusto and positivity, it was hard not to allow that to wash over us. The remit is the same for our fringe pieces and also with Frankenstein, which we will be auditioning roles imminently.

To close though and in keeping with the title of this blog article, Frankenstein allows people of all ages a chance to escape life for a short while and return to times when wonder and adventure were commonplace. I was recently reading one of the books by the late Tyrone Guthrie who said seeing Peter Pan as a youngster had a lasting impact on his ultimate decision to go into theatre. Luckily with the recent run of the play in London with Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch there is a precedent of it being successful. Hopefully our offering can have a unique slant on the piece and give some small encouragement to those who come to see it. Maybe they'll decide that theatre is something they're interested after all.
 
Thanks for reading :) 

New Design – Hope you like it?

Hello!

Don’t worry, you’re not lost, instead you’ve found your way to my recently designed blog! As the name suggests there will be a tilt on theatre related matters from reviews of local/national shows/plays, interviews with anyone I can get my grubby mitts on to my musings on the industry as a whole.

Aside from this there will be tons of other content for those less ‘artistically’ inclined. I sometimes eat food and like to have an opinion on it. This mantra goes for many things in my life from charity raids on a Saturday morning to real life angst from yours truly. If there are any suggestions lurking in the backs of your mind then don’t be shy, comment or email me (link to the right) and let me know what you’d like to see/read about.

On the topic of charity shops, I love them! So I will try to go armed to the teeth with a meagre amount of money and see what treasure I can come across. This may extend to the occasional cheeky car boot, but as the weather is unreliable at the best I can’t make any promises. Just last week I came across the greatest.. wait, that’s a blog article right there waiting to be plundered! You can hear about those adventures at the weekend.

Back to the re-design. I decided to have the layout and image of this blog changed for engagement reasons really. No, I’m not engaged and nor will be I any time soon unless someone comes crashing through the door and makes a move. Single guy here! What I mean to say is that there is no point having a great message to spread or an idea to express if the packaging and frame aren’t attractive. Cancel that, they don’t have to be overly pretty but certainly can’t afford to be dour and frumpy.

Clean lines, white space and some good content. I think that’s a good starting point, don’t you? :)