by Priscilla

Sep.24, 2011, under Cast Blog

This is my second year in Priscilla. Last year I was in the ensemble, but this year I took the decision to move to swing. I’d swung before so I knew that I’d really enjoy it, because it gives you variety and something different every night. There is always something unexpected, which keeps you focussed and interested and there’s an adrenaline rush, if you are called into the show midway. You can be watching from the audience and get a text of phone call to tell you to go on and replace someone that is injured or ill.

Callum Nicol

I love playing the role of Felicia, because there aren’t really any roles like it. There are only three principles in Priscilla and Felicia is a very exciting and fun role to play. Venus is such an amazing entrance to a show, so it is one of my favourite numbers to do, along with Hot Stuff. It’s not often that you get to walk around in a thong and bra! As a spectator I love I Will Survive, because Charlotte really belts it out and the audience is really buzzing by then. MacArthur Park is also amazing with the divas in top form and the colourful spectacle. It’s like being at a rock concert.

I’ve previously been in Grease and Chicago in the West End, and before that I did tours of Chicago and Cats. If you want to be a performer in the West End, you ought to keep perfecting your acting, singing and dancing. You need to be comfortable with the material you are performing, so you can make the best possible showcase of your talents.

The change over at the end of my first year was challenging. I went from knowing my ensemble track and being second cover for Felicia, to being first cover and having to learn another ten tracks. It was a very busy changeover for me. You go from being very comfortable in your role, to having to learn how to do things in completely opposite ways for the other side of the stage, which can take sometime to get used to.

It my entire career I’ve never seen the response that Priscilla gets at the end of the show. Every night we have people on their feet at the finale. It is incredible. You have to come to see Priscilla, because you will have a great night out with all the amazing performances, costumes and songs. You can’t help but leave with a smile on your face.