At this point, there are enough theatre performances touring Australia to rival that of New York’s pinnacle stage, Broadway. What’s more, the acting talent we have Down Under is up there with the very best of them.
marie claire caught up with seven leading ladies currently claiming their role in the spotlight on stage.
Alinta Chidzey
Satine in Moulin Rouge!
FIRST SHOW YOU EVER DID?
Mamma Mia, 20 years ago.
DREAM ROLE?
I’d love to do a movie musical. My favourite is Singin’ in the Rain.
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE WHEN YOU FOUND OUT YOU LANDED SATINE?
I was pregnant at the time, so there was no champagne, unfortunately!
BEST CURE FOR STAGE FRIGHT?
Meditation.
WHICH TRAITS DO YOU SHARE WITH SATINE?
Satine is really strong, but she’s also very vulnerable. I can understand her feeling of responsibility as a mother for my family and for doing the show.
FAVOURITE COSTUME?
The one I wear for “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”, as something special happens in that scene.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT MOULINROUGEMUSICAL.COM
Stefanie Jones
Mary in Mary Poppins
FIRST SHOW YOU EVER DID?
A young Éponine in Les Misérables.
OF ALL THE SHOWS CURRENTLY TOURING, WHICH DO YOU LOVE MOST?
I’d love to see Hamilton a million more times, and I’m champing to see Moulin Rouge. One I’m so struck by and have seen more than once is The Picture of Dorian Gray.
HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE SHOW IN THREE WORDS?
Magical, heartfelt, nostalgic.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT FROM MARY POPPINS?
You can’t go past the final moment where Mary flies on a zipline. It’s such a rewarding experience and to get to break the fourth wall with the audience and have that moment with them is unreal.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT SYDNEYLYRIC.COM.AU/MARY-POPPINS
Shubshri Kandiah
Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
FIRST SHOW YOU EVER DID?
Growing up I did a lot of Indian dance, which sparked my love of performing. When I was at uni, I was cast in a non-singing role in an opera and even though I didn’t get to sing, it solidified that this was the career I wanted.
OF ALL THE SHOWS CURRENTLY TOURING, WHICH ARE YOU LOVING?
Girl from the North Country. It’s a brilliant piece of theatre. There’s so much left unsaid.
WHICH TRAITS DO YOU SHARE WITH CINDERELLA?
She has a lot of insecurities, which is something I’ve battled with all my life. Seeing the journey of her realising that your appearance isn’t what makes you beautiful, instead it’s the kindness and the joy you spread to others.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS VISIT CINDERELLAMUSICAL.COM.AU
ChloéZuel
Eliza Schuyler in Hamilton
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE WHEN YOU LANDED ELIZA SCHUYLER?
My husband and I ate burgers and watched the Disney+ version of Hamilton.
WHAT HAS PLAYING ELIZA TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF?
Resilience. Eliza made me reflect on who I am and my own values of choosing to forgive and love, because I have to do that as an actor.
FOR SOMEONE WHO HASN’T SEEN HAMILTON, HOW WOULD YOU SUM IT UP?
It’s a contemporary, artistic, R&B inspired storytelling piece about the human experience. It’s revolutionised the way people look at music, theatre and casting, and it’s given many a long-overdue platform.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT HAMILTONMUSICAL.COM.AU
Amy Manford
Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera
FIRST SHOW YOU EVER DID?
It was actually Christine [Daaé] in Phantom, so this is a full circle moment for me.
BEST TACTIC FOR STAGE FRIGHT?
I think about myself as an audience member and how excited I am to see the show.
OF ALL THE SHOWS CURRENTLY TOURING, WHICH DO YOU LOVE MOST?
Mary Poppins. It was practically perfect in every way.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SLIPPED UP ON STAGE?
Oh my God. When do I not? The most memorable was once in Phantom in a scene where fireballs are directed towards Christine. It’s safe fire but in this particular instance it somehow got underneath my dress. The dresses Christine wears are huge, with layers
upon layers of petticoats. As I walked back to my dressing room, everyone was asking what smelled, and when my undresser began to take the dress off me we realised the underskirt was on fire!
WHAT TRAITS DO YOU SHARE WITH CHRISTINE?
She’s a very passionate person. And she is a woman of extraordinary curiosity and bravery. I’d like to think I’m quite similar
to that.
FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE SHOW?
When the chandelier rises. It’s the most iconic and exciting moment. I always watch it from backstage and it never fails to send a shiver down my spine.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT OPERA.ORG.AU
Jemma Rix
Elsa in Frozen
FIRST PROFESSIONAL SHOW?
Wicked as Elphaba. The reason I got it was because I’d been working at Universal Studios in Japan and they did a 30-minute version of the show. I’d been singing “Defying Gravity” for nine months.
WHICH CURRENT LEADING LADY IN AUSTRALIA RIGHT NOW IS KILLING IT?
Courtney Monsma, who plays Anna alongside me in Frozen. I watch her and think, was I that capable at that age?
LAST TIME YOU STUFFED UP ON STAGE?
I trip over my ice dress all the time.
FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE SHOW?
Is it too predictable to say “Let It Go”? I never get sick of that sound and that energy, so it has to be [that song].
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT FROZENTHEMUSICAL.COM.AU
Aisha Aidara
Rose in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE WHEN YOU LANDED ROSE?
I was on a road trip with my best friend. We got pizza and I just sat there and thought, well, I guess I’m not going to drama school anymore.
OF ALL THE CURRENT SHOWS TOURING, WHICH SHOW DO YOU LOVE THE MOST?
Hamilton. It is such an important piece of theatre to me.
FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE SHOW?
When Albus and Scorpius first show a romantic sort of affection to each other. We spent a lot of time making that moment as honest as it possibly could be for queer people and young queer people. That, to me, is the most special thing in the show.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT AU.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM
