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Working With John Barrowman
Eleanor Hanwell interviews Laura Whittard (schools' founder) Ellie: What was it like working with John Barrowman?
Laura: It was really good fun-hard work but very fun when he was performing! Ellie: What was it you were in?
Laura: Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" in the West End. Ellie: What part did you play?
Laura: Heddy Lamar and Lana Turner (with a few wig changes) Ellie: We've heard John enjoyed playing jokes on people is that true?
Laura: Oh yes he was a real trickster always surprising people by jumping up on them around corner and getting up to all sorts of mischief onstage when he should be concentrating! Ellie: How did he get away with it onstage?
Laura: Well if he played tricks he would never let the audience see-he was clever at disguising things..however he did get into trouble once and he had an official letter from Andrew Lloyd Webber's office asking him to refrain from being naughty! Ellie: Would you recommend your pupils do the same?
Laura: Absolutely not! Ellie: Was he a good performer in your opinion?
Laura: He was excellent-he has a wonderful voice and great charisma onstage as well as looking fabulous. He was also a "team member" so we all mixed together very well in the cast it was a very exciting time to be in the West End. Ellie: What did he think about your opening theatre arts schools?
Laura: He was pleased for me-he knows how much I enjoy working with children-he gave me some good advice "don't eat them all at once"!!! That was John's sense of humour all over... Ellie: Anything especially that you remember from you time with John?
Laura: I remember when we had a leaving party for him in his dressing room as he had just got a TV show in the States called "Central Park"..he was very excited about it...and I said that I hoped "fame" wouldn't go to his head...he said "Nope I promise I'll keep my feet on the ground"-he felt very strongly about that I and I think he has acheived it-he's so friendly and down to earth on TV and that's how he is in real life. Ellie: What do you think of the latest reality show of finding "Nancy" for the new Oliver musical?
Laura: I think they are good is some ways and bad in others...if it helps more people to go to the theatre then I am 100% behind it...I do however feel very sorry for the performers who may get so near to winning and then get "voted out"-I think it's harsh enough when it happens at auditions let alone millions of viewers watching.... Ellie: Any advice to young aspiring performers?
Laura: Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for what you want in life...even if it doesn't happen..at least you can say you tried...
added: 2 Oct 2009
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